The Organization:

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), along with its subsidiary the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, is a vibrant and growing non-profit legal aid program where our core mission is to fight injustice and poverty by advocating on behalf of low-income individuals and families across Southeastern Massachusetts, the Cape, and Islands in civil matters when their basic needs are at stake. The organization prioritizes legal services in housing, public benefits, elder law, domestic relations, employment, education, immigration, and consumer matters. With a staff of over 100, SCCLS is the principal provider of civil legal aid in the region. We operate from offices in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Hyannis. Our team provides representation and litigation services to thousands of people each year, while also delivering a wide range of community outreach and educational programs. We seek candidates who are committed to advancing equal access to justice and opportunity through client-centered advocacy. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to delivering impactful legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

The Role:

SCCLS seeks to hire a Consumer Staff Attorney to work within its growing and dynamic Consumer Unit. The Consumer Unit is committed to protecting people with limited financial resources from exploitation, deception, and unfair business practices. The unit strives to select cases that affirmatively advance justice and secure meaningful remedies for consumers harmed by an inequitable marketplace.

The Consumer Unit pursues this mission through a combination of litigation, advocacy, and direct client assistance. Attorneys file affirmative consumer protection actions, including claims under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A, represent clients in matters involving foreclosure prevention, and litigate adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court. The unit also operates two Lawyer for the Day programs, providing same-day legal assistance to individuals facing credit card debt collection lawsuits and post-judgment garnishment proceedings. In addition, the unit provides advice, counsel, and representation on a wide range of consumer matters, including lemon law claims, solar panel fraud, mortgage servicing and foreclosure issues, scams and fraud schemes, utility disputes, debt collection practices, and other consumer protection concerns. SCCLS utilizes a hybrid work model that requires staff to work in-person at their designated office for three days per week, with the remaining time permitted for remote work.

Responsibilities include:

Provide high quality zealous legal representation, counsel and/or referrals; Participate in, or conduct, community education and outreach; Participate in team meetings; identify and participate in impact advocacy projects; Engage in continuous learning in consumer law; Participate in other program activities to further organizational goals and mission.

Competencies/Qualifications:

Admitted to MA or eligible for admission in MA; At least five years of litigation experience, with the demonstrated ability to independently manage a caseload and represent clients in state and/or federal court. Experience should include drafting pleadings and motions, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, appearing at hearings and trials, and developing litigation strategies. Experience in consumer law, foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy litigation, debt collection defense is preferred but not required. Ability to work independently and as a team member; goal and detail oriented with ability to prioritize; possess vision and sense of urgency in addressing client needs; Demonstrated commitment or experience working with diverse communities, including experience representing clients who may have experienced poverty, trauma or discrimination; Strong organizational, time management and case management skills; Strong oral and written communication skills; strong legal research and writing skills; strong interpersonal skills; Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team; Ability to be flexible and adaptable; Proficiency or ability to learn legal case management systems, Microsoft Office Suite; Fluency in a language reflecting our client populations preferred (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer);

Compensation and Benefits:

Salaries are based on a collective bargaining agreement scale range of $72,500 - $113,000 with yearly standard increases, and an annual increment for demonstrated language skills. Generous benefits package includes health and dental with supplemental coverage, life insurance, disability, flexible spending account, 403(b), and loan forgiveness. Generous paid leave includes sick, vacation, personal, and holidays.

Apply:

Submit letter of interest and resume by email to: Lissl Thelin at LThelin@sccls.org . Please include the position title in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. South Coastal Counties Legal Services and its subsidiary are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a healthy, inclusive environment where all staff, clients, and community members are valued, empowered and recognized.