STAFF ATTORNEY: RE-ENTRY/EMPLOYMENT (Pittsfield, MA)

CLA seeks a staff attorney who will help people coming out of incarceration with re-entry issues and low-wage workers with employment law matters. The attorney will help formerly incarcerated individuals seal, expunge, or correct their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and will represent people seeking to overturn housing denials based on their CORI. The attorney will also help individuals with barriers to employment resulting from their CORI, including denials involving state agency-level background checks. The attorney will also assist workers, including formerly incarcerated workers, with unemployment, wage & hour, leave, and employment discrimination matters. In addition to representing individual clients, the attorney will engage in active community outreach and education, including holding regular intake hours off site, and will work closely with community partners. The attorney will be based in CLA's Pittsfield office. Part-time hours are negotiable for this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law students currently in their third year of law school, recent law school graduates, and more experienced attorneys are eligible to apply.
• Prior experience in re-entry and/or employment law and community outreach is preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to poverty law and social justice work.
• Experience working with diverse communities, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative setting are important.

COMPENSATION:

• The starting salary for this position is $73,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience.
• CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
• CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes:
  • 401(k) with employer-paid contribution of 5% gross salary
  • 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)
  • Student loan repayment assistance up to $500/month for qualified law school and undergraduate school loans
  • Relocation stipend

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your resume and cover letter online on our website. Alternatively, you can mail your application to Human Resources Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income and elderly clients in Central and Western Massachusetts. CLA has over 180 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 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.