Position Description: Affordable Housing Preservation Staff Attorney
Deadline for Submission:
Application materials will be reviewed and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis;qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application materials as soon aspossible.
The Position:
MLRI seeks an experienced attorney with a background in affordable housing preservation lawand policy to join its Housing Practice Group and advocate on behalf of low-income andmarginalized people statewide.
Primary Responsibilities:
Provide support to residents, legal aid advocates and community groups to preserve privately owned affordable housing in Massachusetts from loss of affordability, including naturallyoccurring affordable housing (NOAH), privately-owned subsidized housing, and manufacturedhousing. Activities include work to preserve the affordability of individual developments,outreach to residents; property background research; developing legal and other strategies;support for tenant organizing; support for legal aid advocates in eviction defense work;negotiating with owners; outreach to potential allies, stakeholders, and professionals to supportpreservation efforts; and identifying potential preservation purchasers as needed.
In addition, help coordinate statewide legal services support and policy advocacy on affordablehousing preservation, including: advocating for legislative and administrative reforms; providinganalysis and public comment on housing preservation; developing community legal educationon affordable housing preservation; pulling together and distributing pertinent data; andmonitoring the status of affordable housing developments at risk of losing affordability.
Ongoing Responsibilities:
Together with the Housing Practice Group (HPG), coordinate and facilitate statewide housingcoalitions; provide technical support for legal services advocates and community groups onhousing preservation issues and other housing issues as they arise; provide analysis and publiccomment on housing-related state legislation, budget, and policy; and work with HPG to take onspecific advocacy, technical support, and other projects as they arise.
About MLRI:
Founded in 1968, MLRI is a nationally recognized nonprofit poverty law and policy center thatprovides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices thatsecure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. We pursuesystems change through impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalitionbuilding, community lawyering, and other strategies that address systemic harm to low-incomepeople. MLRI’s approach is based on a racial justice and anti-racist framework and usescommunity-driven and collective impact strategies to advance high impact change. MLRI also
serves as the statewide multi-issue poverty law support center for the civil legal aid deliverysystem; our advocates provide substantive expertise and technical assistance and support tofront line legal aid field programs and advocates and to many serving low-income people.MLRI’s housing advocates have played a significant role in advancing systemic solutions andpolicy reforms that achieve housing justice, prevent displacement, empower communities,prevent eviction and homelessness, and preserve housing affordable to lowest incomeresidents. We work in multiple forums through a wide variety of strategies in areas includinghomeless prevention, public and subsidized housing, tenants' rights, fair housing, and housingpreservation, gentrification and displacement.
Desired Experience & Qualifications:
J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in
Massachusetts. Minimum 5 years legal experience.
Experience or background in affordable housing preservation.
Demonstrated ability to work with clients, client groups, community-based organizations and coalitions.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational skills, strategic thinker, creative, and collaborative. Commitment to MLRI’s mission to serve low-income and vulnerable populations and to advance an anti-racist, community-driven advocacy agenda.
currently operating on a hybrid schedule.
How to Apply:
Please email the following required application materials: 1) a cover letter outlining interest,experience and qualifications for the position; 2) a resume; and 3) 1-2 legal writing samples tohumanresources@mlri.org. Please note that all required application materials must besubmitted in order to be considered for the position. No phone calls please.
Salary and Benefits:
MLRI offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment that emphasizes work-life balance.
MLRI provides very generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 403(b) plan employer contribution of 5% after 6 months of employment, as well as vacation, holiday, and family leave.
MLRI’s staff attorney salaries are based on salary scale range and are commensurate with skills and years of relevant post-JD attorney experience. For example, the approximate salary range for a staff attorney with 0-9 years of experience is: $70,000- 105,000 depending on applicant level of experience. Internal equity considerations and average salary of the peer range will be reviewed and taken into consideration. MLRI is
MLRI’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
MLRI is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce and an inclusiveculture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers from diverse personal andprofessional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission andcreates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We stronglyencourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, persons with disabilities,members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with lived experience of poverty and/orracism, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.