April 25, 2024

Supervising Attorney – Education Unit (Springfield or Worcester)

Springfield or Worcester, MA

Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA has over 150 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and robust outreach to and partnerships with our client communities. CLA is a fiscally sound, administratively strong agency supported by a dedicated staff, management team, and Board of Directors.

CLA seeks a Senior Supervising Attorney (SSA) to join its dynamic management team. The SSA will oversee the work of and directly supervise the advocates in CLA’s Education Unit, which currently includes 6 advocates. The unit assists at-risk students with cases involving Individualized Education Programs, school discipline (including suspensions and expulsions), language access, and other issues specifically affecting low-income students. The unit also assists children with disabilities seeking to obtain or maintain SSI benefits, with a focus on cases at the reconsideration and appeal levels. The unit also conducts regular community outreach and education.

The SSA’s duties will include co-counseling cases; editing pleadings and briefs; preparing advocates for and observing them in court and in outreach activities; and engaging in regular case reviews. The SSA will also participate in coordinating the training of staff; work with CLA’s Managing Attorneys in conducting annual performance reviews; and assist in writing grant applications and reports.

The SSA will be based in CLA’s Springfield or Worcester office. The position will require some travel to CLA’s offices across central and western Massachusetts to support and build relationships with staff in person.

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to Mass. Bar or entitlement to practice under a Mass. practice rule required. Must have at least five years of experience as an attorney, with significant experience in education law. Experience litigating children’s SSI cases a plus. Ability to work collaboratively and strong supervision and communication skills required. The candidate should be an independent thinker and have the ability to calmly and thoughtfully support advocates who work in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment which can often be stressful.

COMPENSATION: Salary DOE. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); and relocation stipend.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your cover letter and resume online at https://communitylegal.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1180505-9892.html. Alternatively, you can email your cover letter and resume to: avaughan@cla-ma.org, or mail to Alicia Vaughan, Human Resources Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608. In your cover letter, please include an explanation of your interest in a supervisory position and your office of preference.

CLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CLA encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.