News

    Jack Ryan, Emily Coughlin, Scott Tucker.      Barbara Caparell & Grace Garcia.      Grace Garcia with Greg Sneed

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) seeks a full time staff attorney. The attorney will work in the Elder, Health, and Disability Unit to staff its School to Prison Pipeline Intervention Project, representing low-income students in school discipline and related special education cases, as well as engaging in policy advocacy and systemic litigation.

DEADLINE:  April 19,2017

Responsibilities include: Partnering with student organizers to achieve organizers’ goals related to school discipline and school-based rights; conducting intensive outreach efforts with mental health care providers, attorneys in other practice areas, social workers, homeless shelter staffs, etc; managing an active caseload of at least 25 full representation cases plus additional advice and brief service matters; collaborating with legal services, civil rights organizations, and child-focused organizations across the state to advocate for policy changes; advocating for the interests of low-income students of color and students with disabilities across state agencies, school districts, and school associations; maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills in education law and other poverty law substantive areas as needed and relevant; and performing other unit duties as needed.

Requirements: Admission to the Massachusetts Bar or comity; 2-4 years of experience in school discipline, special education, or related education work; Excellent writing, research, and organization; Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and antipoverty legal work; Culturally competent and able to respectfully serve clients of color with a wide range of experiences, abilities, and backgrounds; Experience effectively collaborating with community organizers and community groups, ideally student organizers and youth groups.

GBLS is an AA/EO/Handicapped accessible employer committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets. Salary is based on union scale. Generous benefits package, including 100% paid health and dental for full-time employees and student loan repayment assistance plan for eligible attorneys. 

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and brief writing sample to Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources, via e-mail at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code: EHD-ATT when applying for this position. Deadline is April 19, 2017 or until the position is filled.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and writing sample (unedited by others) by mail or email ideally prior to April 24th, to:

Constance V. Vecchione

Bar Counsel

99 High Street, 2^nd Fl.

Boston, MA 02110

c.vecchione@massbbo.org

The Office of the Bar Counsel has an opening for an attorney to be director of the Attorney and Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP).  ACAP is the intake division of the Office of Bar Counsel and is responsible for responding to calls and communications from consumers who have complaints or questions about attorneys, for determining whether complaints should be opened for formal investigation, and for resolving issues that are not disciplinary matters.  The director reports to bar counsel and is responsible for managing and supervising the ACAP staff of experienced attorneys, investigators, and administrative assistants.  Admission to Massachusetts bar or eligibility to obtain admission on motion required.  Minimum ten years of legal experience preferred, with knowledge of bar discipline and the rules of professional conduct.  Outstanding writing and interpersonal skills, as well as an ability to effectively supervise, investigate, evaluate, and resolve a high volume of inquiries concerning potential attorney misconduct and to manage a large database, are essential.  Fluency in Spanish or other foreign language(s) is a plus.  Standard benefits, salary commensurate with experience.  Interested candidates should submit a resume and writing sample (unedited by others) by mail or email to:

Constance V. Vecchione

Bar Counsel

99 High Street, 2^nd Fl.

Boston, MA 02110

c.vecchione@massbbo.org

Interviews will be scheduled after April 24, 2017.  Position will remain open until filled. For more information, see https://www.massbbo.org/Who_We_Are_OBC_ACAP#OBC.  The full job description is available at massbbo.org/employment.  The Office of Bar Counsel of the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers is an equal opportunity employer. 

Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc. (GBLS) will sponsor a limited number of applicants for two national fellowship programs: Equal Justice Works and the Skadden Fellowship Program.  Both programs require applicants to develop a proposed project with a sponsoring legal agency.  Selections for the fellowships are made by the national programs and not by GBLS.  Because of the time needed to develop projects acceptable to GBLS and the applicants, interested persons should contact GBLS as soon as possible. Earlier applicants will have an advantage. 

GBLS is an AA/EO/Handicap-accessible employer, committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets.  Interested individuals must submit a cover letter and resume to Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources by email at jobs@gbls.org with the subject line “Fellowship Opportunities”.  Please include in your cover letter a proposed project and indicate unit of interest. For more information contact: Ms Marquez, at (617) 603-1805. 

GBLS is the oldest and largest legal services program in New England. Throughout its history, GBLS has been committed to providing aggressive high-quality civil legal services to as many poor people as possible.  The people who seek our assistance most often are women and children who need protection from abuse; families and elderly who face eviction from their homes; the homeless who have been denied temporary or permanent shelter; and single parents who have been inappropriately refused welfare, food stamps, or medical benefits.  GBLS also provides assistance to client groups such as the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, and the tenants of the Boston Housing Authority. 

GBLS' main office, located at 197 Friend Street in downtown Boston, houses the administrative staff and the following specialized units:  Family, Elderly, Health & Disability, Mass. Medicare Advocacy Project, Housing, Immigration, Harvard Immigration Clinic, Employment, CORI & Re-entry Project, Welfare, Asian Outreach and Consumer Rights.  GBLS’ Cambridge office consists of advocate teams comprised of Family, Housing, Elder, Income, Mental Health & Disability Rights.

The MassDLA Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Committee is pleased to announce a Brown Bag Luncheon: 

Topic:  Great Divide v. Lexington Insurance

When:   12:30 p.m.on Monday, March 20 

Where:  Offices of Prince Lobel

One International Place, 37th Floor

The discussion will be led by Adam Doherty of Prince Lobel and Kim Hartman of Nicolaides Thorpe (Chicago) who will be arguing Great Divide v. Lexington Insurance, SJC-12164 in the SJC on March 6.

Great Divide involves “other insurance” issues and the priority of auto insurance coverage for a fatal bicycle accident.   The SJC has been asked by Judge Stearns to answer the following question: 

“Where there is a motor vehicle accident and the primary commercial automobile liability insurance policy issued to the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident is exhausted, what is the priority of coverage between (1) a second primary commercial automobile liability insurance policy insuring the driver of the vehicle, which contains an other insurance/non-owned vehicle clause providing (a) that, with respect to motor vehicles the insured owns, this insurance is primary, (b) that, with respect to motor vehicles the insured does not own, this policy is excess and (c) that "when this coverage form and any other coverage form or policy covers on the same basis, either excess or primary, we will pay only our share" and (2) a true excess liability insurance policy insuring the owner of the vehicle that contains an other insurance clause providing that "if other valid and collectible insurance applies to damages that are also covered by this policy, this policy will apply excess of the 'other insurance'"?.”

Please contact Bill Mekrut or Michael Aylward if you'd like to attend.

ATTORNEY POSITION OPEN

ASIAN OUTREACH/EMPLOYMENT LAW UNIT

Deadline for application is January 18, 2017

Send cover letter, resume and brief writing sample to Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources, via e-mail at jobs@gbls.org.  Please refer to Job Code: AOU/EU-ATT

     Greater Boston Legal Services is seeking an experienced attorney to assist in the work of the Asian Outreach/Employment Law Unit. Our mission is to utilize a community lawyering approach to advocacy which includes direct representation, systemic advocacy including class action and administrative advocacy, affirmative and defensive legislative campaigns and other client-centered work in the areas of unemployment, wage and hour, and tax law, including the creation of community cooperatives in low wage communities of color.

The unit seeks an attorney to engage in all of the above work.  Additionally, the attorney will be expected to supervise junior staff, interns and volunteers and assist with securing grants. 

Qualifications should include: 5 or more years of legal experience that includes legal services or other advocacy on behalf of workers, litigation experience, a strong and demonstrated commitment to worker rights, civil/human rights, community lawyering and the ability to work well with a diverse clientele.  Additionally, the attorney must have strong writing and research skills. Bi-lingual ability in a language commonly spoken by GBLS’ clients is preferred, but not required.

Candidates must submit a cover letter describing qualifications and reasons for interest in the position, resume and brief writing sample to Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources, via e-mail at jobs@gbls.org.  Please refer to Job Code: AOU/EU-ATT when applying for this position. Deadline is January 18, 2017 or until the position is filled.

October 28, 2016                                                                                     

Greater Boston Legal Services

STAFF ATTORNEY
ELDER, HEALTH AND DISABILITY UNIT

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL JOB POSTING

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter indicating your reason for interest in this position, resume, and brief writing sample to:  Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources via email at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code: EHD-ATT.  

Deadline for application is November 10, 2016 or until position is filled.

The Elder, Health and Disability Unit (EHDU) at Greater Boston Legal Services seeks an entry level staff attorney. The Unit represents elders, people with disabilities and families to ensure that they have income, health care and services needed to live independently in the community. Our work promotes affordable housing for seniors, access to quality health care for all, and access to SSI income for children and adults. Our special projects include: Medicare Advocacy Project, Elder Abuse Prevention Project, Children’s Disability Project, and School to Prison Pipeline Intervention Project. We work to keep people out of institutions and to improve the quality of life for those who live in institutions. We empower people to make decisions about their lives and support people with disabilities in their fight for accessibility.

During the first six months, the attorney’s primary responsibility will be to represent children and adults with disabilities in disputes with the Social Security Administration and MassHealth. After the first six months, the attorney will also advise and represent elderly and disabled clients on a variety of nursing home and long-term care related issues.
 

The unit seeks an attorney to engage in individual client representation, community outreach and education, legislative and administrative advocacy.  This may include participation in various coalitions. Areas of responsibilities include: representation of individual clients at Administrative Hearings and in U.S. District Court; defending nursing home residents from eviction/discharge from nursing homes; advocating for community-based care alternatives, including advocacy to maintain housing and health-care benefits and other related duties as assigned. The attorney is expected to work as part of the team with other unit staff and may be required to supervise interns and volunteers.

Requirements: Admission to the Massachusetts Bar or comity;  0-3 years of legal experience; strong research and writing abilities; legal services or similar advocacy experience; strong and demonstrated commitment to poverty issues; community lawyering, civil/human rights, and the ability to work with a diverse clientele, including seniors and people with disabilities. Bi-lingual ability in a language commonly spoken by GBLS’ clients is preferred, but not required.

GBLS is an AA/EO/Handicapped-accessible employer committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets.  Salary is based on union scale. Generous benefits package, including 100% paid health and dental for full-time employees and student loan repayment assistance plan for eligible attorneys. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter indicating your reason for interest in this position, resume, and brief writing sample to:  Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources via email at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code: EHD-ATT.  Deadline for application is November 10, 2016 or until position is filled.

MBA’s Judicial Administration Committee is presenting a seminar:

A View from the Bench Series:

Final Trial Conferences and Motions in Limine

November 16th

4:30-6PM

MBA, 20 West St., Boston

FREE to MBA Members

This seminar will include an active discussion with five superior court judges on the panel, including the RAJ from Middlesex Superior Court and the RAJ from Suffolk Superior Court.

For more details and REGISTRATION information go to the MBA website:

www.massbar.org/education

or call (617) 338-0530

Development Officer

Application deadline is October 27, 2016 or until position is filled.

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) seeks an experienced and energetic Development Officer to join a leading development department in raising resources to support civil legal aid and counsel for people who could not otherwise afford justice.  The Development Officer will research, identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors for major gifts ($5,000 or more); work with other Development team members to engage, inspire and fundraise from the legal community through a variety of drives; work closely with the Executive Director on Board relations; and develop and launch a planned giving program.   The Development Officer reports to the Director of Development. 

In this position, the Development Officer  is responsible for raising over $1 million in individual donations from major donors and has shared responsibility to raise an additional $3 million plus from the legal community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·        Bachelor’s or advanced degree, J.D. is a plus;

·        Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in all aspects of individual giving through personal solicitation;

·        Ability to engage and inspire donors;

·        Excellent writing and organizational skills;

·        Strong personal work ethic, ability to manage diverse activities and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision;

·        Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel and Word is required;

·        Proficiency in Raisers Edge or other fundraising database is preferred;

·        Passionate about and able to communicate the mission of civil legal aid;

·        The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver who remains calm under pressure and works well as a flexible member of the team;

·        A background in legal or social justice work strongly preferred.

GBLS is an AA/EO/Handicapped-accessible employer, committed to diversity in the workforce, and regards differences as assets.

Sonia Marquez, Director of Human Resources, at Greater Boston Legal Services, 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114 OR submit electronically to jobs@gbls.org.  Please refer to Job Code: ADM-GO when applying for this position. Application deadline is October 27, 2016 or until position is filled.

NOTICE TO THE BAR:

LOOK FOR THE EMAIL INVITING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

 JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FOR TRIAL COURT JUDGES

Judges in the District Court, Superior Court, Juvenile Court, Probate and Family Court, and Housing Court in Essex County will be evaluated from mid-October through November. Crucial to maintaining a high quality judicial branch is the full participation of the bar in judicial evaluation.  

Consider the evaluation program to be your direct line to the judiciary.  This evaluation system is the best way for you to tell the judge and court leadership of your experiences before the judge. Every judge will sit down with his or her department chief justice and discuss their evaluation and that judge's individual professional development plan.

What has always been paramount in our evaluation program is the commitment to the anonymity of the responding attorneys.

We recently began using a revised evaluation system. It is very efficient and easy for attorneys to use.

So please do your part -- do not press the delete button when you get the email -- and use the opportunity to tell us about the judges you appear before.  

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED COOPERATION.

For more information contact Coordinator of Judicial Performance Evaluation,  Mona.Hochberg@sjc.state.ma.us