Description:

Summary of Position:
The Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (VLP) is a non-profit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Greater Boston, primarily through the pro bono services of private attorneys. We are seeking a full-time staff attorney with a dedicated commitment to the communities and people we serve to work in our family law and guardianship units. The Staff Attorney will conduct training, answer substantive questions from volunteers, identify appropriate referrals as well as participate in weekly Family Law & Guardianship clinics as well as rotate as an on-call attorney at our call center.

Required Qualifications/Education/Training:

Law degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to and good standing in Massachusetts bar

Preferred Education/Training/Knowledge: Highly Preferred

Experience with Legal Server case management software
Fluency in Spanish

Required Mental/Physical Abilitites/Skills:

1-3 years in full-time family law and guardianship practice, including litigation
Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and with staff at outside organizations
Ability to effectively engage with the private bar to recruit, train and mentor volunteer attorneys
Ability to use a computer several hours per day
Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, and by computer
Ability to travel to courthouses and other clinic locations in Greater Boston

Essential Functions, Including but Not Limited To:

Maintain updated substantive knowledge in family law and guardianship law
Attend weekly unit case review meetings
Effectively and efficiently handle a small caseload
Provide substantive family law and guardianship supervision at weekly clinics, including answering questions and reviewing advice and drafts of documents and closing cases
Supervise and mentor interns and pro bono attorneys
Review cases for merit and alignment with priorities
Conduct training for volunteers, often during evening hours
Prepare cases for pro bono assignment, including reviewing memos and documents
Assist in placement of cases with pro bono attorneys
Monitor pro bono cases to ensure quality and competent representation
Other responsibilities as needed