Casa Myrna is Greater Boston’s foremost provider of solutions to end domestic and dating violence. The agency maintains three residential programs in Boston for women and children made homeless by domestic violence, a comprehensive range of supportive services provided at the programs and at the main office, and SafeLink, the only statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline in Massachusetts. The Legal Program serves clients by: representing them in domestic violence family law matters in the Probate & Family Courts and in restraining order hearings in both the District Courts and Probate & Family Courts;  offering brief service and/or limited representation in certain cases where full representation is not provided; and managing a Legal help Line for telephone assistance and intake purposes. The Legal Program’s clients are Casa Myrna’s program participants, as well as community clients who are not otherwise connected with Casa Myrna, and Legal Help Line callers. The Staff Attorney provides legal services to the Legal Program’s clients.

This position will focus on the development of an in-person community based legal clinic, offering of community education and substantive legal training, and facilitating community organizing in the context of domestic violence and family law.       

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of Staff Attorney

  • Assists Casa Myrna program participants, community clients, and Legal Help Line callers to identify their legal issues in order to increase the likelihood of favorable legal outcomes and minimize the risk of outcomes that jeopardize clients’ safety and wellbeing.
  • Educates Casa Myrna program participants, community clients, and Legal Help Line callers about their options so they can make their own informed decisions.
  • Provides legal assistance in the form of “brief service” to Legal Advocacy Program clients for whom full representation is not offered by assisting them with legal advice and the preparation of necessary court documents.

·         Provides legal representation in domestic violence-related civil legal matters in Probate and Family Courts and District Courts as resources permit, thereby enhancing access to legal remedies for those affected by domestic violence.

·         Advocates for clients with housing, welfare, immigration, and other legal needs.

·         Participates in and provides trainings for advocates, student interns and volunteers on abuse prevention laws, the dimensions of domestic violence, and family law matters.

·         Performs additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Project Duties and Responsibilities of Community Lawyering Position

·         Develops and administers community-based legal clinic, which provides community organizing, education, and legal assistance to community members regarding domestic violence and family law matters.

·         Fosters relationships with community organizing groups and community-based organizations that provide services to targeted clinic populations.

 

Qualifications and Requirements

  • J.D. degree, current license to practice law in Massachusetts required.
  • Minimum three years’ experience in providing legal services, with a focus on domestic violence and family law.
  • Demonstrated experience in community organizing and providing community legal education
  • Experience providing legal services to victims of domestic violence, with demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of survivors of abuse, particularly Latinas, African Americans and other people of color.

·         Familiarity with District Courts, Probate and Family Courts, legal services as well as community agencies and resources.

·         Demonstrated ability to utilize appropriate communication techniques when responding to callers/clients that shows sensitivity to their needs.

·         Ability to interact with callers and clients in a non-judgmental manner.

·         Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and coordinate work at multiple sites; ability to work independently and in a team.

·         Strong organizational skills.

·         Maintains professional boundaries at all times.

·         Maintains confidentiality regarding program participants.

  • Fluency in a second language strongly preferred.

·         Driver’s license and access to vehicle preferred.

Salary:                 $48,000 – $51,000 annually                         Location: Boston (South End), MA                                

Casa Myrna is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

Please submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jobs@casamyrna.org