Description
Senior Economic Justice Attorney
Deadline for Application: This is a high priority hire. Application materials will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis; qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.
The Position: The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) seeks a dynamic, creative and experienced attorney with a strong commitment to economic, racial, and social justice to join MLRI’s Economic Justice unit. This is an opportunity to be part of the resistance to federal cuts by helping lead legislative and administrative advocacy and impact litigation to improve and protect access to critical safety net programs in Massachusetts and nationally, including but not limited to SNAP and cash assistance.
About MLRI: Founded in 1968, MLRI is a nationally-recognized statewide poverty law and policy center. Our focus is on high impact advocacy that addresses widespread problems, barriers and institutional inequities that affect low income communities. We pursue systemic change through impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and other strategies. Our advocates work in close partnership with community groups and people with lived experience of poverty and economic and racial injustice. In addition to our advocacy, MLRI also serves as the statewide multi-issue poverty law support center for the Massachusetts civil legal aid delivery system; our advocates provide substantive expertise, trainings and technical assistance to front line legal aid field programs and to other organizations serving low-income people. With a $10 million annual operating budget and approximately 50 staff, MLRI is in a period of growth and is seeking talented and committed advocates to further its mission. For more information see MLRI.org.
About MLRI’s Economic Justice Practice: MLRI’s Economic Justice advocates are SNAP and cash benefit experts and respected leaders in Massachusetts and nationally. It is a collaborative team of experienced and effective advocates with a proven track record of advancing justice for very low-income people. Our economic justice work is central to MLRI’s anti-poverty mission, and this position presents exciting opportunities to undertake high impact litigation and advocacy:
Opportunity to be part of a collaborative team of SNAP and cash benefit experts and respected Massachusetts and national leaders.
We fight for economic, racial, and social justice in the State House and the courthouse, in state and federal administrative agencies, and in Congress.
We have a long and demonstrated track record of success removing red tape and barriers to accessing public benefits and maximizing benefit amounts for vulnerable low-income households to help eligible families and individuals get – and stay – connected to SNAP and cash assistance.
We lead or co-lead statewide coalitions, legislative campaigns, and state and federal administrative policy advocacy in close partnership with community groups and people with lived experience of poverty and racial and economic justice.
Opportunity to do groundbreaking anti-poverty policy advocacy in a nationally recognized, multi-issue statewide legal services organization with stable funding.
MLRI experts in other units – available for consultation and collaboration – include specialists in immigration, housing, health care, language access, family law/DV, and child welfare.
MLRI is not subject to Legal Services Corporation (LSC) restrictions and receives de minimis federal funding.
Opportunity to be part of the resistance to federal cuts.
We can make and have made progress towards economic justice in Massachusetts through our strong relationships with state leaders.
We raised cash assistance grants by 45% in the past five years.
We participate in and help shape challenges to federal policies and practices.
Opportunity to pursue groundbreaking class action litigation to protect access to critical safety net programs.
We have viable state court options when U.S. Supreme Court decisions have closed the door to federal court.
We have secured class-wide prospective relief and nearly $20 million in back benefits for over 47,000 low-income households in SNAP lawsuits in the past decade.
Qualifications:
J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in Massachusetts.
Minimum 5 - 10 years of relevant legal experience, including litigation experience.
Commitment to MLRI’s mission to serve low-income and marginalized populations and to advance an anti-racist, community-driven advocacy agenda.
Outstanding legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to develop and lead litigation and statewide policy advocacy initiatives, think creatively and strategically, and exercise good judgment.
Ability to work confidently and carefully, both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships outside of MLRI.
Ability to flourish in a fast paced, non-bureaucratic work culture that values innovative solutions.
Salary and Benefits:
MLRI offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. MLRI provides a very generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 403(b) plan employer contribution of 5%, as well as vacation, holiday, winter recess and family leave.
MLRI’s attorney salaries are based on salary ranges in accordance with skills and years of relevant post-JD attorney experience. For example, the approximate annual salary range for an applicant with 5-10 years of experience is $70,000 - $122,000. MLRI regularly undertakes compensation analyses to ensure that our salary and overall compensation is competitive relative to comparable state-level and national partners.
MLRI is currently operating on a hybrid schedule and is committed to a fair and equitable workplace that promotes work-life balance.
How to Apply:
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and a legal writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
MLRI is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women and non-binary people, immigrants, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with lived experience of poverty, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. MLRI does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital or parental status, citizenship, disability, or record of arrest or conviction.
