Staff Attorney - Family Law Unit

JOB TITLE: Staff Attorney, Family Law Unit. Full Time, permanent, exempt.

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, from 9:00am-5:00pm. Thirty-five (35) hours per week.

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney, Family Law Unit 

OFFICE LOCATION: 63 Fountain Street, Suite 304, Framingham, MA 01702

HYBRID WORK: The attorney is required to work in-person at least two (2) days a week. 

SALARY RANGE: Salary is based on a union scale with a base wage of $73,000 plus experience credit if applicable. 

LANGUAGE(S): In addition to English, candidates who are fluent in either Spanish and/or Portuguese are strongly preferred. 

Summary of Position:

Founded in 1976, MetroWest Legal Services provides free civil legal services to protect and advance the rights and the well-being of people living in poverty, people aged 60 years and older, people with disabilities, and otherwise disenfranchised individuals living in the communities we serve. Through its well-established Family Law Unit, MWLS provides legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence in their domestic relations matters. For this position, MWLS seeks an attorney to represent survivors in their complaints for divorce, child custody, paternity, and restraining order matters before the Probate and Family Court and local District Court.  MWLS is committed to providing a welcoming, equitable and inclusive workplace and encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds to apply for positions.

Responsibilities include:

• Represent survivors in domestic violence-related family law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, and protection order cases, at all levels of litigation including trials and the appellate process.
• Maintain individual caseload of family law matters that will include full representation cases, as well as counsel and advice and brief service matters.
• Provide culturally responsive and trauma informed services to all clients. 
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and organizations also serving survivors and communities experiencing poverty.
• Contribute to the development and distribution of program materials for the Family Law Unit.
• Participate in statewide legal services coalition groups focused on issues related to domestic violence, family law and trauma-informed advocacy. 
• As needed, provide guidance on family and domestic violence-related law to advocates working in other substantive areas at MWLS. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in family law, orders of protection, and trial practice.
• Maintain current client and case outcome notes, timekeeping, and other data in MWLS’ electronic case management system. 
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Admitted to Massachusetts Bar in good standing or have comity to be admitted. 
• 0-3 years of relevant work experience as a practicing family law attorney. Preference will be given to those who have experience working with survivors of domestic violence in a legal aid office or clinical program. 
• Spoken fluency in Spanish or Portuguese is strongly preferred. Language competencies will be tested during the interview process. 
• Prior experience interviewing and counseling survivors of trauma and abuse preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment and/or experience working with individuals who may have experienced poverty, trauma or discrimination, or possess lived experience in these areas.
• Commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in the provision of legal services.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team; flexible and adaptable. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and deadlines; ability to manage a large caseload in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience and comfort working with an electronic case management system and other technologies.
• Ability to travel to courts and other community locations within the MWLS service area.