Staff Attorney, Housing Justice for Survivors Project

13-Nov-2024

Staff Attorney, Housing Justice for Survivors Project

Harvard Law School

67398BR

Job Summary

Located at the crossroads of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury in the City of Boston, the Legal Services Center is a community-based clinical law program of Harvard Law School. Our longstanding mission is to educate law students for practice and professional service while simultaneously meeting the critical needs of the community. Since 1979, we have engaged in cutting-edge litigation and legal strategies to improve the lives of individual clients, to seek systemic change for the communities we serve, and to provide law students with a singular opportunity to develop fundamental lawyering skills within a public interest law setting. To learn more about LSC, including our six clinics please visit here. 

The Legal Services Center (LSC) of Harvard Law School seeks to hire a Staff Attorney to join our Housing Justice for Survivors Project (HJFS) within the Housing Clinic. HJFS represents tenants who are facing housing instability due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. We represent survivors in evictions and housing authority hearings, advocate for survivors who need to flee their homes for safety reasons, develop affirmative impact litigation in federal and state court, train domestic violence and sexual assault advocates about tenant rights, and lead local, state, and federal law reform efforts aimed at improving the housing rights of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The HJFS Staff Attorney will serve clients collaboratively with a Housing Advocate from Casa Myrna. 

Position Description

As a Staff Attorney you will: 

• Litigate an active docket of eviction defense and tenancy termination cases on behalf of tenants who are survivors of gender-based violence.  
• Screen cases for merit and help maintain and manage HJFS’ docket of housing cases that emerge from the partnership with Casa Myrna and other referral partners. 
• Employ trauma-informed advocacy and client-centered lawyering practices.  
• Collaborate with Casa Myrna through regular engagement, cross-training, program evaluation, and related efforts.  
• Provide mentorship to clinical law students who are serving HJFS clients. 
• Collaborate with the HJFS Director, law students and clients to develop and pursue strategic litigation and other advocacy to address systemic issues impacting survivor housing.  

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must possess a J.D. and be admitted to the Massachusetts bar or eligible for temporary admission pursuant to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04. Three years or more of related experience required.  

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have: 

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice advocacy 
• Meaningful experience in housing law  
• Experience or demonstrated interest serving survivors of gender-based violence 
• Dedication to interdisciplinary work and partnering with housing advocates  
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and an inclusive working environment   

Additional Information

This is a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.  

We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions. 
 
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.

We are interested in filling this position as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  Candidates are encouraged to apply as early in the process as possible.  To learn more, please visit: Legal Service Center, Housing Clinic, and HJFS News. 

About Us

Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Jamaica Plain

Job Code

365057 Legal Professional

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

057

Department

Legal Services Center

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity, License/Cert.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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