Company: Disability Law Center
Job description:
Staff Attorney – Job Description
Position: Staff Attorney
Reports To: Legal Director or Managing Attorney
Wage Class: Exempt
Union Classification: Eligible
Location: Remote (with Massachusetts residency required)
Essential Functions:
DLC Staff Attorneys perform a wide range of duties, including the following:
- Represent clients consistent with DLC’s mission, case selection criteria and policies; develop and implement case strategies; engage in litigation and negotiation in consultation with the Legal Director.
- Conduct in-person monitoring, and investigative activities in facilities and community settings, including psychiatric hospitals and other group living environments; conduct factual investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities; develop and execute workplans to address incidents of abuse and neglect.
- Attend in-person meetings with colleagues, clients, opposing parties, government officials, and others.
- Provide information and self-advocacy assistance to DLC clients; create self-advocacy materials; conduct training and outreach activities in the community.
- Perform legal research; analyze statutes, regulations, agency policies/procedures and proposed legislation.
- Gather information from individuals with disabilities, family members, and stakeholder groups to assist with policy analysis.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with subject area professionals and advocates, including state officials and agency staff, providers, and advocacy organizations.
- Collaborate with DLC colleagues in the development of systemic activities as appropriate, including impact litigation.
- In accordance with DLC policies and procedures, maintain: the security of confidential information and records; complete and accurate records documenting advocacy, monitoring, and investigation activities and time spent.
- Be available to travel throughout Massachusetts to perform assigned job tasks.
- Perform related tasks, consistent skills, and general responsibilities as required to support DLC’s mission, as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate and ability to practice law in Massachusetts (current MA bar admission or immediate ability to be admitted to MA bar required).
- Practical legal experience, such as client counseling, appearances in court and administrative proceedings, legislative advocacy, and administrative advocacy.
- Demonstrated commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of historically marginalized groups, e.g., people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with low income, and incarcerated people.
- Ability to analyze facts and pertinent legal authority and develop creative solutions.
- Ability to produce high quality legal writing.
- Ability to work efficiently, independently, and collaboratively.
- Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.
- Ability to travel throughout the Massachusetts.
Desired Attributes:
- Ability to communicate effectively in a language other than English: ASL, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Mandarin, or another non-English language.
- 2 to 5 years of legal practice experience.
- Experience with mental health law and/or direct experience working with people with mental health disabilities.
Job type: Full Time
Fully remote: Yes
Salary range: Attorney salary is determined by a collectively bargained salary scale based upon years of experience. On the current scale, the salary of an attorney with 2-3 years of experience is $70,500. DLC provides a generous benefits package, including a 35-hour work week, generous vacation, parental leave, retirement and health benefits, and dental insurance.
Location: Massachusetts