Description:

A Non-Profit Organization in Boston, Massachusetts seeks a full-time employee to join our Environmental Justice Legal Services program (EJLS) as a Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney will have an expertise in laws and regulations pertaining to environmental and energy regulation and a willingness to join our team that prioritizes the needs and wellness of frontline communities that are burdened with the most pollution and environmental harms while being excluded from environmental and energy benefits. ACE believes that lawyers and community organizers working together to support resident and worker leadership results in campaign victories and environmental justice.

The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing direct legal representation and technical assistance to clients (community groups, organizations, and coalitions) and legal support for ACE organizing campaigns through a community lawyering model. The Staff Attorney will support fundraising for legal services program work, assist with outreach to and building relationships with community groups in greater Boston and the state, matching their needs to ACE resources and connecting them to the broader EJ movement. The Staff Attorney reports to and will be supervised by the EJLS Director and will collaborate with the Coordinator of the Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN), a pro bono legal and technical assistance program operated by ACE in collaboration with local partner organizations.

Responsibilities/Tasks:
Responsibilities and tasks may include, but are not limited to:

Legal Representation Cases (75%)

Provide direct assistance to clients, including resident groups and organizations.
Develop and execute legal and other advocacy strategies to support communities seeking public health, environmental, and energy benefits and protections from public health, environmental, and energy burdens.
Investigate and litigate cases from beginning to end, performing legal and factual research, presenting information clearly to clients to inform their decision-making, drafting pleadings and briefs, and managing cases through administrative agencies, and courts, as appropriate.
Engage with elected officials and recommend legislation and supporting analysis.
Represent ACE in strategic alliances and coalitions by providing legal representation.
Incorporate leadership development into case work through community lawyering model

Program Planning and Development (10%)

Assist in EJLS program planning.
Participate in ACE-wide organizational development processes.
Participate in planning and evaluation with ACE teams and member committees.
Support fundraising by writing grant proposals and reports and cultivating and asking individual donors.
Evaluate and propose changes to the legal services model that accounts for reduced resources and increased numbers of requests for assistance.
Contribute to an inclusive and equitable work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Movement Building (10%)

Participate in coalitions such as the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Table and Climate Justice Alliance.
Conduct site visits with community-based groups and organizations to generate solidarity and consider future joint work.

Case Development (5%)

Respond to requests for assistance, conduct intakes, and help determine legal issues.
Directly develop assistance partnerships with groups, including ACE member committees.
Engage with EJLS' legal advisory board committee and evaluate potential cases that require input from committee members.

Qualifications:

Law school graduate admitted to and in good standing with the Massachusetts bar.
A minimum of 1 year of law practice post-law school graduation.
Knowledge of civil rights, environmental, and energy laws and regulations and familiarity with administrative procedure.
Experience working with people of color, indigenous people, low-income residents, immigrants, or refugees.
Demonstrated experience managing a complex workload with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and coalition partners.
A strong interest in social justice, environmental justice, civil rights, public health, and energy practice.
Good judgment and strong work ethic.
Willingness to attend community meetings in the evenings and on weekends.
Excellent legal research and writing skills.
Ability and willingness to travel for case work, meetings, administrative or court appearances.
Strong commitment to social justice and community empowerment.
Good listener and facilitator, well organized, good interpersonal skills.
Team player, self-starter, quick learner, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Solid computer skills (familiar with Word, Excel, Internet, and databases).
Familiarity with ACE's mission and model of community organizing, community lawyering, and technical assistance.
Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese language fluency a plus.