Description

Position Overview:
The Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing Attorney (“managing attorney”) will be an integral part of VLS’s leadership team and will oversee the case work of VLS’s team of attorneys in a variety of areas, including direct provision of legal assistance, leveraging VLS’s pro bono panel, and identifying opportunities for systemic change advocacy. The managing attorney is supervised by, and will work closely and collaboratively with, VLS’s Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel.

Diversity and Inclusion:
VLS believes diversity strengthens the organization and enhances the fulfillment of its mission. Individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences, for example, those who identify as people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation Philosophy:
VLS offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to attract and retain top talent and to promote the well-being and professional development of its team members, all of whom help advance the organization’s mission. VLS provides compensation information in its job postings to ensure transparency and efficient use of applicants’ time. Employee compensation is evaluated annually and is informed by data from peer organizations, the industry, individual
employee performance, organizational impact, and organizational financial standing. Compensation adjustments may include cost of living increases, increases due to comparability data, merit increases, promotions, or bonus payments. VLS is proud of its comprehensive benefits package for qualified employees, which includes
health, dental, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account, state Paid Family Medical Leave contributions (employee’s portion covered), generous 401K employer match, student loan repayment assistance, partial phone reimbursement, continuing education opportunities, a generous sick, personal, vacation, and holiday schedule including paid time off between December 24th and January 1st and half days on Fridays in the summer. To promote team member resilience, following three years of employment VLS also provides two additional personal days per year.

Compensation and Culture:
The managing attorney position is a 35-40 hour per week hybrid position with a salary range of $110,000-$130,000 annually, depending on experience. This position is eligible for the benefits described above, subject to waiting periods for certain benefits as may be required. VLS offers a congenial working environment and is committed to promoting work/life balance and wellbeing for its team members who have dedicated their careers to improving veterans’ lives.

Hybrid Work:
VLS currently offers a hybrid work arrangement for its team members. Applicants should anticipate one in-office day weekly and to come to the office as needed for meetings or other tasks. Team members may choose to work from home or the office the remainder of the week. The managing attorney should also anticipate some in-person attendance at VLS’s legal clinics at partner sites. VLS has a new office that is located near North Station in Boston, convenient to
the orange and green lines and commuter rail. While this is not a fully remote position, VLS strives to balance the convenience of remote work with the benefits of coming together to promote team cohesion. VLS continually evaluates organizational and team members’ needs and may modify its hybrid policy in the future.

Primary tasks include but are not limited to:
• Supervise a growing team of attorneys (anticipated to be 5 by 2024) who are providing legal services to veterans across the Commonwealth on cases including: family law, housing, debt, CORI, and benefits including state and federal veterans benefits;
• Conduct weekly case reviews/check-ins with each team member supervised and provide ongoing support to each, developing strategies to ensure each attorney has an
appropriate volume of cases and identifying support needed;
• Collaborate with Pro Bono Director and team members to identify cases appropriate for placement with pro bono counsel and maximize leveraging of pro bono panel;
• Provide professional development support to team members;
• Participate in performance reviews for team members supervised;
• Provide direct representation on a small caseload to maintain skills and create impact;
• Support team members in assisting pro bono counsel seeking assistance;
• Collaborate with development and administrative staff on program planning, meeting grant requirements, and identifying case victories or other activities to highlight.

Secondary tasks include but are not limited to:
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the organization;
• Periodically attend legal clinics, such as at Dept. of Veterans Affairs hospitals;
• Identify issues commonly faced by significant numbers of VLS clients and collaborate with the Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel to assess for opportunities for systemic change advocacy through appellate litigation or legislative/regulatory advocacy;
• Participate in education and outreach to the community about legal issues faced by veterans, including speaking on panels at bar associations or other events;
• Maintain relationships with community groups and peer organizations;
• Attend VLS-hosted events and represent VLS at relevant events.

Requirements

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Must be an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts or eligible for admission by motion at the time of hiring;
• Commitment to valuing and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Significant attorney experience, preferably in the legal aid sector;
• Experience supervising a team of attorneys;
• Substantial litigation experience, preferably in family law and landlord/tenant law;
• Eagerness to engage in professional development opportunities;
• Ability to mentor, supervise, and co-counsel effectively while prioritizing opportunities for team members’ growth and professional development;
• Ability to identify and pursue solutions with a positive, can-do attitude;
• Commitment to cybersecurity and proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite, with ability and willingness to learn additional tools, applications, and technologies;
• Sensitivity to the circumstances of VLS’s client population and the challenges inherent in legal aid work;
• Excitement for VLS’s mission and commitment to fulfill position responsibilities in accordance with VLS’s strategic plan.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience in management, administration, or leadership at a legal aid organization;
• Experience working with economically disadvantaged populations;
• Experience with state and/or federal benefits law;
• Experience with appellate level litigation or other systemic change advocacy;
• Experience with measurement and evaluation or performance metrics.

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resumé to ManagingAttorney@veteranslegalservices.org. VLS is unable to respond to phone or social media inquiries. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

About the Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing Attorney position title
This position is named in memory of Colonel Ruby (Winslow) Linn. Born in 1910 in Massachusetts, Ruby served in the Army, first as a second lieutenant and then as a major. She ultimately became chief of the Food Service Division and director of the Dietetic Internship Program at Walter Reed. She retired in 1963. In 1966, Ruby married fellow Army veteran LaVon Parker Linn. The pair shared a love for travel and a deep commitment to philanthropy in service of those in need. The Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation was created by Ruby in 2001 and has generously supported organizations serving veterans and other charitable organizations ever since.