Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of 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 a fiscally sound, administratively strong agency supported by a dedicated staff, management team, and Board of Directors.

CLA seeks a Senior Supervising Attorney (SSA) to join its management team. The SSA will oversee the work of and directly supervise the staff of CLA’s Family Preservation Project. The Project is comprised of two interdisciplinary teams—one based in CLA’s Worcester office and one based in CLA’s Springfield office--which each contain a parent advocate, a case manager, and a staff attorney. The Project advocates for parents who are involved with the Mass. Department of Children and Families (DCF). The goal of the Project is to ensure that families get the help they need addressing issues of concern to DCF so that DCF does not remove the children from their home. The Project aims to keep children safe with their families, minimize the emotional trauma caused by removal, and allow the foster care system to focus its resources on children who truly need its protection.

The SSA’s duties will include advocating with DCF to get cases closed without children being removed from their homes; overseeing the teams’ client-centered intakes, case planning, and needs assessments; and designing and helping to supervise legal interventions that can stabilize families, including challenging employment and housing denials; defending against evictions; obtaining restraining orders, safe parenting arrangements, and child support; and getting school-based services for at-risk students. The SSA will meet regularly with FPP staff to assess case progress and client needs. The SSA will also participate in coordinating staff training; work with CLA’s Managing Attorneys in conducting annual performance reviews; and assist in writing grant applications and reports. The SSA will be based in CLA’s Springfield or Worcester office and will travel as needed to meet with FPP staff and clients.

QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to Mass. Bar or entitlement to practice under a Mass. practice rule required. Must have at least five years of experience as an attorney and ideally will have significant experience in child protection law and/or poverty law. Ability to work collaboratively and strong supervision and communication skills required. The candidate should be an independent thinker and have the ability to calmly and thoughtfully support advocates who work in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment which can often be stressful.

COMPENSATION: The salary range is $90,000 - $125,000 annually, depending on experience. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); employer-paid malpractice insurance; law school loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your resume and cover letter online. Alternatively, you can submit your application to iliu@cla-ma.org or mail to Ingrid Liu, Recruitment Coordinator, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. In your cover letter, please include an explanation of your interest in a supervisory position and your office of preference.

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.