Staff Attorney

JOB TITLE: FAMILY PRESERVATION PROJECT STAFF ATTORNEY 

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney

POSITION STATUS: Full-time, exempt

OVERVIEW: 

Founded in 1976, MetroWest Legal Services provides free civil legal services to protect and advance the rights?and the well-being of people living in poverty, people aged 60 years and older, people with disabilities, and otherwise disenfranchised individuals living in the communities we serve. MWLS seeks an attorney who will be part of a team launching a new project in the MWLS service area designed to help parents who are involved with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). The goal of the Family Preservation Project (FPP) is to ensure that families get the help they need addressing issues of concern to DCF so that DCF does not remove the children from their home. This project aims to keep children safe with their families, minimize the emotional trauma caused by removal, and allow the foster care system to focus its resources on children who truly need its protection.   

The attorney will be a member of MWLS’s interdisciplinary advocacy team and will work with a paralegal and parent partner to assist parents in the community. The attorney will provide legal assistance in a variety of core poverty-law areas, which may include eviction defense, access to benefits programs, education law, and family law. The attorney will also represent parents at administrative fair hearings at DCF. The attorney’s work, along with that of the rest of the team, will focus on addressing the issues that are leading DCF to maintain an open case on the family with the threat of the removal of the children from the home. The goal of the attorney’s work is to provide legal interventions that will stabilize the family so that DCF closes its case without removing the children. 

MWLS is committed to providing a welcoming, equitable and inclusive workplace and encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds to apply for positions. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programmatic

1. In partnership with the paralegal and parent partner, the Senior or Staff Attorney will help to launch a new MWLS project to provide civil legal aid to families who have open cases with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). 

2. Represent clients in child welfare-related civil legal matters to prevent out-of-home placement of children or reunify children with their families, thereby increasing client choice, safety, and family preservation. 

3. Educate clients about their legal options so they can be empowered to make their own informed decisions, with the goal of minimizing the risk of outcomes that jeopardize child safety and wellbeing. 

4. Liaise with Department of Children and Families (DCF), schools, community partners, government benefit programs, and mental health providers to provide wrap around services to stabilize families in crisis. 

5. Advocate for clients and their children in a variety of collateral legal matters such as housing, benefits, special education, and family law. 

6. Represent clients at fair hearings before the MA Department of Children and Families (DCF). 

7. Maintain individual caseload and develop an outreach plan to get referrals for new client work. 

8. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners also serving communities experiencing poverty and seeking to address issues that may lead DCF to become involved in a family’s life. 

9. Contribute to the development of program materials for the Family Preservation Project. 

10. Participate in statewide legal services coalition groups focused on issues related to child welfare law and related matters and participate in training or other programs related to FPP. 

11. Performs additional duties as assigned. 

Organizational

1. Attend and participate in agency-wide staff meetings, unit meetings, case conferences and other ad hoc or ongoing staff meetings. 

2. As directed, make presentations to staff and to the MWLS Board of Directors. 

3. Participate in professional development activities, such as conferences, workshops, trainings, etc. 

4. Work collaboratively with others on staff to promote effective communication, coordination and teamwork. 

5. Perform other duties as needed, consistent with the provision of quality client service. 

Fundraising & External Relations

1. Participate in community outreach by (a) representing MWLS in community groups or service organizations; and (b) participating in community education programs and activities, including speaking engagements, trainings, Boards or committees etc. 

2. Participate in statewide coalitions and support groups with legal services, advocates, and community groups.  

3. Fulfill grant requirements and obligations as outlined by individual work plan. 

4. Participate in agency fundraising activities as mutually agreed upon, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld. 

REQUIRED:

1. Bachelor's degree and J.D. required.

2.  Admission to the Massachusetts bar in good standing.

PREFERRED:

• 3-6 years of work experience in providing civil legal services; with a focus on representing survivors of domestic violence or other crimes, individuals with substance use disorders, or individuals with mental health diagnosis. 
• Prior experience interacting with survivors of trauma, discrimination, abuse, or neglect. 
• Prior experience interacting with individuals with mental health conditions, substance abuse disorders, and/or disabilities.  
• Prior experience or knowledge of the child welfare system in MA.  
• Commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in the provision of legal services. 
• Desire and comfortability to learn new law and work in unfamiliar subject areas as may be required in this generalist position.  
• Confidence in speaking in public, and in court.  
• Demonstrated commitment and/or experience working with individuals who may have experienced poverty, trauma or discrimination, or possess lived experience in these areas. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with clients, community partners and other stakeholders.  
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team; flexible and adaptable.? 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and deadlines; ability to manage a large caseload in a fast-paced environment. 
•  Fluency in either Spanish and/or Portuguese are strongly preferred. 
• Experience and comfort working with electronic case management systems and other technologies. 
• Ability to travel throughout the MWLS service area and to occasional outreach and statewide events.