Supervising Attorney
The Center for Justice is a non-profit public interest law center with a mission to expand access to justice for low-income communities by providing free civil legal representation to low income Rhode Island individuals, families, and communities. The Center for Justice strengthens and expands the public interest bar in the state by training and mentoring recent law school graduates to become highly-skilled attorneys in areas of unmet legal need. Furthermore, the Center fosters lasting relationships with community-based organizations to insure that representation meets community needs and supports collective action for social change. The Center for Justice is seeking to hire a Supervising Attorney. This position requires the ability to work collaboratively with the community, staff, funders, other members of the Rhode Island Bar, and our core partners including the Roger Williams University School of Law (RWULaw) to provide legal representation and supervision that aligns with the organization’s goals.
The Supervising Attorney will provide direct legal representation and supervise provision of legal services to clients across our program areas which currently include:
• Wage Justice Project – assisting low-wage immigrant workers to recover earned but unpaid wages through administrative proceedings and litigation in State and Federal Court
• Tenant Advocacy Project – assisting low-income tenants residing in unsubsidized, private rental units to address substandard housing conditions through litigation in State Court
• Lifeline Project – assisting low-income, medically vulnerable utility consumers to prevent termination of electric and gas utility service through administrative proceedings and litigation in State and Federal Court.
The Supervising Attorney is expected to engage deeply in collective work towards meaningful social change with our community based partners including the following:
• Fuerza Laboral: www.fuerza-laboral.org
• The George Wiley Center: http://www.georgewileycenter.org/
• Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAPP): http://www.cappri.org/
S/he should expect to work hard, be available some evenings and weekends, and contribute to a safe, inclusive work environment and culture.
The duties and responsibilities of the supervising attorney will include:
• Representing clients in housing, utilities and employment matters;
•Supervising Center for Justice Staff Attorneys in all aspects of legal services provision;
• Assisting in the establishment of all office processes necessary for delivery of legal services, including intake and case management systems;
• Assisting in the development of impact-oriented affirmative litigation matters;
• Working closely with community organizers and advocates to advance issue campaigns through strategic legal assistance and advocacy;
• Working with volunteer attorneys as mentors and advisors for the Center Fellows and other new lawyers seeking support from the Center for Justice; and
• Assisting in the implementation of an educational program for new attorneys in Rhode Island.
Qualifications:
• Licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, or eligible for timely admission to practice through waiver (Rule 2)
• Minimum of 3-5 years relevant legal practice experience;
• Experience representing low-income clients;
• Superior oral, written communication, and editing skills;
• Spanish Language ability highly desired • Excellent administrative and organizational skills; and
• Management or administrative experience involving supervision of legal staff desired.
Personal Attributes:
• Dedication to high moral and ethical standards;
• The ability to engender confidence and trust;
• A management style that inspires and encourages professional growth in others;
• A strong work ethic and commitment to working as a team;
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups and individuals;
• A sense of humor, sound judgment, and overall excellent “people skills.”;
• Commitment to a flexible, comprehensive view of representation on behalf of low income people that values both individual and systemic advocacy; and
• Ability to identify and respond to shifting trends in legal practice and policies affecting the poor.
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Keally Cieslik at kcieslik@centerforjustice.org