Staff Attorney - Boston Office
Description
Career Opportunity
JRI Health Law Institute
Full-Time Staff Attorney Position (40 hrs/wk)
Remote/Boston Office
• Work/life balance; flexible schedule
• Hybrid work model after onboarding/training
• Excellent benefits including generous paid time off, over 76% covered health insurance, 100% dental insurance, 401(k) with company match, company sponsored pension plan, tuition reimbursement, disability and life insurance
• Multi-lingual/multi-cultural applicants preferred
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: JRI Health, a social justice and public health leader, provides a continuum of support services to help people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS achieve the health and justice we all deserve. The JRI Health Law Institute (HLI), a program of JRI Health, provides holistic, direct, civil legal services to low-income individuals living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. We use harm reduction principles to provide low-barrier, trauma-informed legal services through medical-legal partnerships across the Commonwealth. HLI strives to provide equitable access to our services by prioritizing marginalized communities that have been disproportionately impacted by longstanding, structural racism as well as those disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Our clients’ needs and wishes guide the work that we do. As advocates, we see our role as providing legal expertise, support, and helping to amplify our clients’ voices. HLI is committed to anti-racist lawyering by using preventative and proactive interventions, educating the legal and medical communities about longstanding structural racism in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and engaging in self-education; HLI’s anti-racism statement is available at www.JRI.org/HLI.
JOB DESCRIPTION: HLI seeks an empathetic, passionate, full-time staff attorney to provide direct, civil legal services primarily to adults living with HIV/AIDS throughout eastern Massachusetts. This position is based out of our Boston office but is flexible to accommodate remote work when possible after an initial onboarding/training period; we anticipate the position will be ~75% remote and ~25% in person after initial training. This is a wonderful opportunity to join a collaborative team, gain legal experience, and do meaningful work within a mission-driven, social justice organization that values work/life balance.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Direct representation of clients in state courts (e.g., housing and district courts) and before administrative bodies (e.g., Social Security Administration). Areas of law include housing eviction defense and other landlord/tenant issues, Social Security and other benefits appeals, criminal record sealing, discrimination matters, and other legal issues affecting client health. Tasks include all aspects of direct legal assistance, including pretrial and trial practice. Staff attorneys are responsible for managing their own case load with regular supervision.
JRI is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to building and maintaining diverse community. Persons from diverse backgrounds including women, communities of color, the
LGBTQ+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Provide on-site legal services at our Boston office and collaborating agencies throughout eastern MA as needed.
• Lead know-your-rights trainings for collaborating agencies and clients.
• Collaborate with HLI staff on a number of initiatives including with regard to antiracism, client substance use, and harm reduction principles.
• Participate in statewide legal services coalitions including housing, Social Security (SSI/SSDI), criminal record sealing, unemployment benefits, and health care.
• Additional tasks may be assigned as necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school (or expected May 2024), excellent academic credentials, and active member of the Massachusetts State Bar in good standing (or sitting for the summer 2024 MA bar exam).
• Demonstrated ability to work well with and understand the barriers impacting low-income people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS including individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, BIPOC, non-U.S. born, and individuals with a history of substance use, mental health disorders, housing instability and/or incarceration.
• Excellent legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to handle a demanding case load while maintaining client records in an accurate, timely and confidential manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn legal case management software (ProLaw).
• Reside in Massachusetts with ability to travel within the Commonwealth.
• Commitment to JRI Health’s mission to partner with individuals, families, and communities to achieve the health and justice we all deserve.
• Multi-lingual/multi-cultural applicants preferred.
Statistics frequently show that women, LBTQIA+, BIPOC as well as other structurally marginalized groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. JRI encourages you to break that statistic and apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.
BENEFITS:
• Training and professional development opportunities;
• Generous PTO starting within the first year;
• Tuition reimbursement – up to $4,000 per year;
• Over 76% covered health insurance
• 100% covered dental insurance;
• 401K – JRI matches employee contributions up to $800/calendar year; • Pension (vested after 5 years) and much more!
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send 1) cover letter; 2) resume; and 3) two references to Sara Benjamin, Esq., Health Law
Institute Program Director, at [email protected]
JRI is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to building and maintaining diverse community. Persons from diverse backgrounds including women, communities of color, the
LGBTQ+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.