The Position
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) seeks a part-time, in-person Front Desk and Office Coordinator to oversee all receptionist and secretarial duties at our main entrance desk. This position will play a key role by performing various administrative and clerical tasks including filing, answering phone calls and organizing documents. The central goal is to provide our staff and guests with exceptional customer service and support.
About MLRI
Founded in 1968, MLRI is a nationally-recognized nonprofit poverty law and policy center that provides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. We pursue systems change through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and other strategies that address systemic harm to low- income people. MLRI is also the statewide multi-issue poverty law support center for the Massachusetts civil legal aid delivery system; our advocates provide substantive expertise and technical assistance to frontline legal aid field program advocates and to many other advocates and providers who serve low-income people and communities in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.mlri.org.
Job Responsibilities
Manage all aspects of organization’s office services:
Ensure the front desk is neat and presentable
Provide communications support (e.g., screening phone calls, faxes, mail, and email and determining appropriate action in response to inquiries)
Manage the front desk by assisting employees and vendors, manage mail and packages (including outbound mailings) and respond to office requests both in person and over email
Maintain and update office calendars and directory
Provide in-person support for internal and external office meetings
Serve as the primary contact for office-related needs, and point of contact with building management and vendors to ensure a clean and efficiently operating office, oversee and coordinate office maintenance for facility issues, repairs, cleanings, and improvements
Manage, maintain and improve office policies around security and emergency action planning; manage security access cards and office security systems
Perform other administrative duties as necessary to support the Executive Team
Desired Experience & Qualifications
Work experience as a Front Desk Representative or similar role
Very strong organizational skills, attention to detail and adeptness at prioritizing tasks
Familiarity with office equipment and applications such as e-calendars and copy machines
Tech savvy with high-level knowledge of MS Office suite, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Survey Monkey
Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment and decision-making skills while maintaining strictest of confidentiality
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
Experience executing on organizational messaging and translating high-level messages
Discretion and confidentiality Compensation/Benefits
The position is part-time and qualifies for benefits. Competitive salary based on experience and generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 403(b) plan, as well as vacation, paid holidays, and family leave.
How To Apply
Please email a cover letter outlining experience, qualifications and a resume to humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
MLRI's Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
MLRI is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with lived experience of poverty and/or racism, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
Deadline for Application: This is a high priority hire. 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 as possible.
Position Overview
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) seeks a dynamic, creative and experienced attorney with a strong commitment to economic, racial, and social justice to join MLRI’s Economic Justice unit. This is an opportunity to be part of the resistance to federal cuts by helping lead legislative and administrative advocacy and impact litigation to improve and protect access to critical safety net programs in Massachusetts and nationally, including but not limited to SNAP and cash assistance.
About MLRI’s Economic Justice Practice
MLRI’s Economic Justice advocates are SNAP and cash benefit experts and respected leaders in Massachusetts and nationally. It is a collaborative team of experienced and effective advocates with a proven track record of advancing justice for very low-income people. Our economic justice work is central to MLRI’s anti-poverty mission, and this position presents exciting opportunities to undertake high impact litigation and advocacy:
Opportunity to be part of a collaborative team of SNAP and cash benefit experts and respected Massachusetts and national leaders.
Opportunity to do groundbreaking anti-poverty policy advocacy in a nationally recognized, multi-issue statewide legal services organization with stable funding.
Opportunity to be part of the resistance to federal cuts.
Opportunity to pursue groundbreaking class action litigation to protect access to critical safety net programs.
Qualifications:
Salary and Benefits:
How to Apply:
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and a legal writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org.
Deadline for Application: 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 as possible.
Position Overview
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) seeks a dynamic and creative attorney with a strong commitment to economic, racial, and social justice to join MLRI’s Economic Justice unit. This is an opportunity to be part of the resistance to federal cuts by helping lead legislative and administrative advocacy and impact litigation to improve and protect access to critical safety net programs in Massachusetts and nationally, including but not limited to SNAP and cash assistance.
About Our Economic Justice Practice:
Economic Justice advocates are SNAP and cash benefit experts and respected leaders in Massachusetts and nationally. We are a collaborative team of experienced advocates with a proven track record of advancing justice for very low-income people.
A few examples of MLRI’s work:
Responsibilities:
Work closely and collaboratively with MLRI’s Economic Justice advocates to develop the skills to:
Qualifications:
Salary and Benefits:
How to Apply:
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume and a legal writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org.
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 as possible.
The Position: MLRI seeks an experienced attorney with a background in affordable housing preservation law and policy to join its Housing Practice Group and advocate on behalf of low-income and marginalized 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 naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH), privately-owned subsidized housing, and manufactured housing. 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 support preservation efforts; and identifying potential preservation purchasers as needed. In addition, help coordinate statewide legal services support and policy advocacy on affordable housing preservation, including: advocating for legislative and administrative reforms; providing analysis and public comment on housing preservation; developing community legal education on affordable housing preservation; pulling together and distributing pertinent data; and monitoring the status of affordable housing developments at risk of losing affordability.
Ongoing Responsibilities: Together with the Housing Practice Group (HPG), coordinate and facilitate statewide housing coalitions; provide technical support for legal services advocates and community groups on housing preservation issues and other housing issues as they arise; provide analysis and public comment on housing-related state legislation, budget, and policy; and work with HPG to take on specific 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 that provides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. We pursue systems change through impact litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and other strategies that address systemic harm to low-income people. MLRI’s approach is based on a racial justice and anti-racist framework and uses community-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 delivery system; our advocates provide substantive expertise and technical assistance and support to front 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 and policy reforms that achieve housing justice, prevent displacement, empower communities, prevent eviction and homelessness, and preserve housing affordable to lowest income residents. We work in multiple forums through a wide variety of strategies in areas including homeless prevention, public and subsidized housing, tenants' rights, fair housing, and housing preservation, 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 litigation and/or policy advocacy experience.
Project management experience.
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.
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 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 to humanresources@mlri.org. Please note that all required application materials must be submitted in order to be considered for the position. No phone calls please.
Make a difference by becoming a member of AmeriCorps and being placed at Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI).
Under the direct supervision of MLRI Attorneys/Advocates in the Housing and Benefits Units, this AmeriCorps fellow will provide valuable assistance to these advocate teams by conducting substantive research and assisting clients with legal issues, attending coalition meetings with other poverty advocates from around the state, and working with community-based organizations. Their responsibilities may involve provision of advice, referrals, brief service, and direct representation of clients at administrative hearings; participation in community education and outreach activities, as well as other related work.
The AmeriCorps fellow will work closely with experienced attorneys and advocates, and will receive firsthand experience in a wide range of areas. Our goal is to make the AmeriCorps experience at MLRI one where young people have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and discover the many facets of public interest law and advocacy, and hopefully they will leave MLRI inspired to pursue careers in public service.
Terms/Benefits:
Members making a one year service commitment, and who complete their 1,700 hour service commitment will receive: $33,000 taxable yearly living allowance (paid bi-weekly); a $6,195 education award (payable on completion of the service term); health insurance; day care assistance, if eligible; hands-on supervised exposure to the practice of law and the ability to place eligible student loans in forbearance with interest paid upon completion of service.
Eligibility/Qualifications:
Members must be at least 17 years of age, be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S. In addition, candidates must be college graduates with an interest in attending law school, attending law school at night, or a law school graduate with an interest in public service law. Proficiency in a non-English language is desirable. Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree, JD’s encouraged to apply. Training will be provided.
Sponsorship:
The AmeriCorps placements at MLRI are part of the Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program, run under the auspices of the South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. The program is funded through the Corporation for National Community and Service, and administered through the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
Interested individuals must complete and submit an application online at https://www.ala-mass.org/how-to-apply
MLRI is an AA/EO/accessible employer committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets.
Under the direct supervision of MLRI Attorneys/Advocates in the Family Law Unit, this AmeriCorps fellow will provide valuable assistance to these advocate teams by conducting substantive research and assisting clients with legal issues, attending coalition meetings with other poverty advocates from around the state, and working with community-based organizations. Their responsibilities may involve provision of advice, referrals, brief service, and direct representation of clients at administrative hearings; participation in community education and outreach activities, as well as other related work.
The AmeriCorps fellow will work closely with experienced attorneys and advocates, and will receive firsthand experience in a wide range of areas. Our goal is to make the AmeriCorps experience at MLRI one where young people have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and discover the many facets of public interest law and advocacy, and hopefully they will leave MLRI inspired to pursue careers in public service.
Terms/Benefits:
Members making a one year service commitment, and who complete their 1,700 hour service commitment will receive: $33,000 taxable yearly living allowance (paid bi-weekly); a $6,195 education award (payable on completion of the service term); health insurance; day care assistance, if eligible; hands-on supervised exposure to the practice of law and the ability to place eligible student loans in forbearance with interest paid upon completion of service.
Eligibility/Qualifications:
Members must be at least 17 years of age, be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S. In addition, candidates must be college graduates with an interest in attending law school, attending law school at night, or a law school graduate with an interest in public service law. Proficiency in a non-English language is desirable. Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree, JD’s encouraged to apply. Training will be provided.
Sponsorship:
The AmeriCorps placements at MLRI are part of the Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program, run under the auspices of the South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. The program is funded through the Corporation for National Community and Service, and administered through the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
Interested individuals must complete and submit an application online at https://www.ala-mass.org/how-to-apply
MLRI is an AA/EO/accessible employer committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets.
A number of MLRI internships are available. Please note that due to budgetary constraints, the positions described here are unfunded unless otherwise specified. We are seeking interns who can secure full external funding or are able to work on a for-credit basis. Many former interns have successfully obtained funding by combining work-study opportunities with public interest grants. Students are encouraged to inquire about public interest funding options at their law school. Additional funding sources include:
• The Massachusetts Bar Foundation Legal Intern Fellowship Program
• Equal Justice America Law Student Fellowships
• The Skadden Fellowship
MLRI’s advocacy goals in family law and domestic violence are to protect domestic violence survivors and their children when they must interact with the court system and state agencies, and to provide expertise and support to legal aid attorneys, allied family law practitioners, and advocates who work with domestic violence survivors. As the lead advocate of the Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Program (DVLAP, a special project of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation), MLRI coordinates statewide family law advocacy and provides support for legal aid programs and community collaborators throughout the state. This position will report directly to MLRI’s two Health Unit attorneys. This internship is unpaid.
Through the statewide Family Law Task Force (FLTF), MLRI:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
MLRI’s Health Unit is seeking a qualified law student for an internship that will provide experience with legal research, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, and community lawyering. The Health Unit works to ensure and expand access to health care for people living with low incomes, with a primary focus on the Massachusetts Medicaid program (MassHealth). Some of the Health Unit’s current projects include (1) addressing various barriers to access to MassHealth coverage and services; (2) improving maternal health by supporting a grassroots coalition of doulas, (3) collaborating with state-wide coalitions and community-based organizations on issues affecting the rights of older adults and individuals with disabilities and their access to healthcare, (4) leading a coalition effort to expand MassHealth coverage for children regardless of immigration status, (5) improving access to MassHealth services for justice-involved individuals, and more.
This position will report directly to MLRI’s Health Unit attorneys. This internship is unpaid. We encourage interns to seek external funding if available.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is a statewide poverty law and policy center dedicated to advancing economic, racial, and social justice. Through legislative advocacy, regulatory reform, coalition leadership, and strategic research, MLRI works to transform systems that perpetuate poverty and housing instability.
The Housing Unit focuses on eviction prevention, tenant protections, affordable housing production and preservation, and structural reforms to address racial inequities in housing.
Position Overview
The Housing Policy Intern will support MLRI’s statewide legislative and policy advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening tenant protections and advancing housing justice in Massachusetts. This position is ideal for students interested in public policy, law, or social justice advocacy who want to gain hands-on experience in systems-level reform.
Interns will work closely with Housing Staff Attorneys and policy advocates to research emerging housing issues, track legislation, support coalition strategy, and develop policy materials that inform lawmakers, partners, and the public.
Interns may:
Interns may also have opportunities to observe legislative hearings and coalition meetings to gain exposure to inside-outside advocacy strategy and public policymaking processes.
Graduate students in law, public policy, or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply. Advanced undergraduates with relevant experience will also be considered.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
The connection between race and poverty in America is undeniable. It is rooted in years of systemic discrimination and biases that create conditions of inequality and produce disparities. Understanding and addressing issues of race, implicit bias, and developing an agenda to affirmatively advance racial equity is critical to ensure economic and social justice. MLRI’s Racial Equity & Justice Project was created over 20 years ago to identify issues that negatively impact the state’s communities of color and to devise strategies, in collaboration with communities, to diminish systemic barriers, promote equal rights, and equitable opportunities. The project focuses on:
Massachusetts is ranked tenth in the country for the number of languages spoken other than English. The state will likely rank higher in the coming years due to the number of new arrivals from all over the world whose preferred language is one other than English. For newer communities to thrive in our state, it’s imperative that they have access to clear, accurate and intelligible information. Language access is tantamount to access to justice.
The Language Access Project strives for all those who are better served in a language other than English to have access to state agency benefits, schools, courts, medical care and other services. The Language Access Project attorney utilizes legislation, administrative advocacy, litigation and community education.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
The primary role is supporting MLRI Immigration Practice Group members working on various issues and projects, including research, writing, revisions, and other tasks, towards the goals of securing and defending the rights of low-income immigrants in Massachusetts and nationwide. MLRI organizationally has three areas of focus, which relate to reducing poverty, combating racial injustice/inequity, and increasing access to justice for our client population. In the immigration/immigrant rights space, our goals include the elimination or reduction of barriers to legal status for immigrants, especially immigrants of color, and securing fair/equal treatment of immigrants by federal and state agencies and entities.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: humanresources@mlri.org. No phone calls please.
MLRI is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with lived experience of poverty and/or racism, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.