Director
The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission (Commission) is accepting applications for a full-time Director to oversee the activities of the Commission, working closely with the Commission’s Co-Chairs. The position is funded by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC).
About the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission
The 30-member Commission, appointed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is charged with providing leadership, vision and coordination in the search for “equal justice for all persons in the Commonwealth.” In its twelve-year history, the Commission has often been at the forefront of developing and nurturing innovative access to justice projects. The Commission is comprised of leadership from the courts, legal services, the private bar, law schools, social services agencies, bar associations, the business and philanthropic world, and other members of the public. Highlights of the work and accomplishments of the Commission can be found at the Commission’s website, www.massa2j.org.
About MLAC
MLAC is a non-profit organization established by the Commonwealth to provide funding for legal assistance programs to ensure that low-income people with critical, non-criminal legal problems have access to legal information, advice, and representation. MLAC provides leadership and support for the continued improvement of legal aid to low-income people and is the largest funding source for civil legal aid organizations in the Commonwealth. Learn more about MLAC at www.mlac.org.
Summary of Director Position
By providing both strategic guidance and day-to-day management, the Director will ensure that the Commission continues to have a meaningful impact on the administration of justice in the state, and beyond. The full-time Director will be an employee of MLAC, working on behalf of the Commission. The Director will be supervised by the Commission Co-chairs and will also report to the Executive Director of MLAC. The position will be awarded under a two-year contract, subject to renewal.
Principal Responsibilities:
Strategic Guidance
Work closely with the Co-Chairs, providing strategic guidance and insight on state and national access to justice initiatives.
Monitor new state and federal rule-making, policies, and resources to ensure that the Commission pursues cutting-edge initiatives supporting access to justice.
Monitor innovative activities within Massachusetts with an eye toward opportunities to coordinate/expand/replicate.
Participate in national webinars and conference calls on issues relating to access to justice and attend annual national conference.
Advise the Co-Chairs and the Commission on relevant issues relating to civil legal aid.
Keep abreast of existing and novel funding sources for civil legal aid – within the state, in other states, and nationally.
Programmatic
Oversee key operational functions to carry out the priorities of the Commission, such as preparing meeting agendas, arranging stakeholder meetings, monitoring progress of Commission committees, and communicating with partner organizations within Massachusetts and nationally.
Publicize the work of the Commission to enhance the public’s knowledge of access to justice issues.
Draft requested letters of support for the Commission’s legal aid partners for statewide impact grants or other financial support.
Support the Trial Court’s strategic initiatives relating to access to justice.
Collaborate with the judiciary, legal services providers, social workers, pro bono attorneys, the private bar, and others to continue to strengthen our existing initiatives.
Background and Qualifications
- J.D. required, at least seven years of experience as an attorney preferred;
- Demonstrated familiarity with access to justice initiatives in Massachusetts and beyond;
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse constituencies and to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the Commission’s work;
- Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in areas of law most impacted by barriers to accessing justice;
- Demonstrated interest in understanding and connecting with varied geographic areas of the Commonwealth;
- Demonstrated administrative management skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to work well with, and motivate, a variety of stakeholder volunteers;
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the Massachusetts civil justice system; in particular, experience working for/with Massachusetts-based legal aid organization(s); and
- Experience working with indigent clients and/or working as a consultant with nonprofits that serve indigent litigants preferred.
To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter in Word or PDF no later than May 15, 2019 to hiring@mlac.org. Please put the job title (Director, Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission) in the subject line of your email, and, in your cover letter, please mention where you saw this posting. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. No phone calls, please.
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission is committed to the same principals and is committed to diversity in staffing and membership. A crucial part of MLAC’s vision is supporting cultural and linguistic competence so clients can be best served. People of color, women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and people who speak English as a second language are encouraged to apply.