Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the civil legal aid program serving the low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts. Through CLA’s effective advocacy in more than 8,000 cases each year, some of the most vulnerable residents of the region obtain safe and stable housing; access unemployment, disability and other benefits to stabilize their income; break free from domestic violence and other abuse and exploitation; and get needed services in school. In addition, CLA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the Central West Justice Center (CWJC), specializes in cases involving humanitarian-based immigration relief.
The starting salary for staff attorneys is $71,500, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. Job duties for staff attorneys vary slightly based on their practice area; generally, staff attorneys interview clients and provide legal advice, information, referrals, and representation at administrative and judicial proceedings; perform legal research; negotiate with opposing parties; and participate in community and client education efforts.
Our current openings include:
- Education Law: Assist children with special needs and other at-risk students access appropriate services in school; challenge expulsions and suspensions, including monitoring disproportionate discipline experienced by students of color; and work on systemic issues including language access for English Language Learners and their families.
- Elder Law: Assist clients age 60 and over with cases involving access to benefits and healthcare; consumer credit issues; elder abuse including financial and physical abuse by caretakers and/or family members; housing issues; and family law issues.
- Housing Law: Assist tenants with matters involving eviction defense, fair housing, and access to rent subsidy programs.
- Immigration Law (CWJC): Assist immigrants in removal proceedings and help clients apply for relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and for other forms of relief including U and T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and asylum.
- Re-entry Law: Assist formerly incarcerated persons overcome the barriers posed by their involvement with the criminal court system, including challenging housing and employment denials and sealing and expunging criminal records.
A full list of all our current staff attorney openings can be found on our website.
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.
