Senior Staff Attorney (Hybrid)

Description:

Join an award-winning and growing organization dedicated to improving the lives of military veterans through civil legal services!
Position Overview:
The Senior Staff Attorney provides direct legal services to veterans on a broad range of civil legal issues to further VLS's mission of helping Massachusetts veterans overcome adversity by providing free civil legal aid that honors their service, promotes well-being, and responds to their distinctive needs. The Senior Staff Attorney is supervised by the Colonel Ruby W. Linn managing attorney.
Primary tasks include but are not limited to:

• Meeting directly with prospective and current clients at off-site legal clinics;
• Recommending appropriate level of assistance to be provided on each matter;
• Advising and representing clients including in court and agency hearings;
• Managing own caseload including developing case strategy and legal theories and preparation of pleadings and motions that are integrated into overall case plan and strategy;
• Identifying and preparing cases for pro bono assignment;
• Supervising volunteers at legal clinics and in the VLS office;
• Collaborating with other legal services providers to address issues that impact veterans;
• Performing outreach to veterans and service providers to help those populations to timely identify and address common legal issues.

Secondary tasks include but are not limited to:

• Representing VLS at various events including bar association events (which may include occasional evening work) or continuing legal education panels;
• Assisting the co-executive director or managing attorney with public policy initiatives in support of VLS's client population;
• Assisting with or performing own administrative tasks;
• Training other team members and volunteers;
• Assisting with data collection and sharing client stories for grant reporting and communications.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• A J.D.;
• Admission to the Massachusetts bar;
• Significant experience as a practicing attorney, including courtroom experience and experience drafting a variety of pleadings and motions (relevant experience prior to admission to the bar may be considered);
• Strong written and oral communication with attention to detail and accuracy;
• Highly organized, reliable, and flexible with strong prioritization abilities;
• Ability to meet with clients and work effectively in a variety of environments, such as community housing developments, social services providers, shelters, and Dept. of Veterans Affairs hospitals;
• Ability to work productively and effectively independently;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite, with ability and willingness to learn additional online tools, applications, and technologies;
• Self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude who will work well independently as well as part of a team;
• Professional and highly ethical with strict adherence to client confidentiality;
• Courteous demeanor with excellent judgment and strong sense of humor;
• Sensitivity to the circumstances of individuals facing financial, health, and other challenges;
• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals, including clients, law students, volunteers, attorneys, board members, and funders;
• Willingness to participate as part of a team effort and assist with reasonable tasks as needed in fulfillment of VLS's mission;
• Ability to adapt effectively to ongoing changes in work environment and willingness to find creative solutions to unexpected challenges; and
• Excitement for VLS's mission.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience working at or volunteering with a non-profit legal aid organization;
• Experience with family law matters, such as custody/parenting time, child support, and divorce;
• Experience with administrative law matters;
• Experience with housing matters including evictions, landlord/tenant issues, and foreclosures;
• Experience or familiarity with discharge upgrade cases and veterans' benefits matters at the local, state, and federal levels;
• Experience with Salesforce and PowerPoint.

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