The Disability Law Center

 The Protection & Advocacy Agency for  Massachusetts 

 Picture of a few of our clients
 

Disability Law Center Seeking to Hire Three Full-time Staff

 

  1. Special Education Staff Attorney – works to ensure that students with special needs receive appropriate programs in the least restrictive setting, that such students are not subjected to abuse or neglect or subjected to wrongful discipline. See below for additional requirements.

  1. Health/Benefits Staff Attorney/Advocate – provides back-up and support to the legal services network of attorneys and advocates across Massachusetts who represent individuals who are seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.  This team also advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities who need Medicaid covered items and services to live independently in the community, as well as providing support to individuals who are trying to transition from benefits to employment.  See below for additional requirements. 

  1. Staff Attorney – address issues of employment and housing discrimination and advocate to ensure equal access to public accommodations, programs and services of public entities and voting.  Also, work to ensure that legal rights of individuals who reside in facilities are protected. See below for additional requirements.

 

 

DISABILITY LAW CENTER

Attorney Job Description

 

Position Staff Attorney
Reports To Team Leader/Litigation Director/Managing Attorney
Wage Class Exempt
Union Classification Eligible
Responsible For Representation of clients in individual cases in addition to participating in impact litigation.  Shares responsibility with other legal and advocacy staff for providing technical assistance, consultation, outreach and training to clients, family members, advocates, and service providers.

 

 

Essential functions:  

  • Ability to practice law in the State of Massachusetts.

  • Ability to travel.

  • Ability to occasionally work long hours and/or weekends when necessary to adequately perform job duties.

  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

  • Ability to identify facts and analyze pertinent legal authority and develop creative solutions.

 

Duties: 

  • Provide information and short-term assistance to DLC clients which includes writing letters and memoranda.

  • Represent individual clients consistent with the Law Center’s priorities and selection criteria including the development and implementation of all phases of case strategies and activities including negotiation, mediation, and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings in consultation with Team Leader and Litigation Director.

  • Prepare reports, articles and special projects, draft legislation and regulations, and participate when assigned in legislative advocacy.

  • Prepare written materials and conduct activities for the education and training of consumers, professional and others consistent with the Law Centers priorities.

  • Participate in outreach activities to un-served and under-served populations.

  • Develop staff training programs in substantive issues including updating staff on legal developments within their specialty area of law as well as training staff on office practices and policies.    

  • Collaborate with senior attorneys in the development of systemic activities as appropriate.

  • Assist in the planning and development of the agencies program priorities.

  • Compile information and prepare activities reports.

  • May serve as a contact for media and may make public speaking appearances on behalf of the Law Center regarding its activities in consultation with the Executive Director, Director of Litigation or Managing Attorney.

 

Qualifications: 

  • Juris Doctor Degree.

  • Admitted to practice law in Massachusetts within a reasonable time after employment.

  • 5-8 years experience in administrative or legal advocacy preferred.

 

Desired Attributes:

  • Demonstrated interest in disability law.

  •  Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize complex tasks.

  • Demonstrated commitment to the civil rights of all people.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

  • Demonstrated experience working with and/or sensitivity to people with disabilities.

  • Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of supervision.

  • Familiarity in using computers for work processing, data collection and communication.

  • Demonstrated ability to speak another language in addition to English.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position will remain open until filled. All applications received by 2/8/08 will be reviewed in first round of consideration.

 

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit:

Cover Letter, which must indicate: a) your personal and professional motivation for seeking this position; b) a discussion of how you meet each of the minimum and any of the desirable qualifications for this position; and c) where you saw the advertisement

Resume, including references (3);

Sample of Professional Written Work (case report, analytical report, investigation report, etc.) consisting of no more than 5 pages.

 

APPLY TO:

 

Search Committee – Education, Health/Benefits, Staff Attorney (Please specify)

Disability Law Center

11 Beacon Street, Suite 925

Boston, MA 02108

 

 

The Disability Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, religion, race or disability.  Bi-lingual candidates encouraged.

 

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