What are the responsibilities and job description for the STAFF ATTORNEY: RE-ENTRY/EMPLOYMENT position at National Legal Aid & Defender Association?
Position Description
Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA has over 180 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and partnerships with our client communities.
CLA seeks a staff attorney who will help people coming out of incarceration with re-entry issues and low-wage workers with employment law matters. The attorney will help formerly incarcerated individuals seal, expunge, or correct their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and will represent people seeking to overturn housing denials based on their CORI. The attorney will also help individuals with barriers to employment resulting from their CORI, including denials involving state agency-level background checks. The attorney will also assist workers, including formerly incarcerated workers, with unemployment, wage & hour, leave, and employment discrimination matters. In addition to representing individual clients, the attorney will engage in active community outreach and education, including holding regular intake hours off site, and will work closely with community partners. The attorney will be based in CLA’s Pittsfield office. Part-time hours are negotiable for this position.
COMPENSATION: The starting salary for this position is $73,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience to a maximum of $109,000. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); student loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
Please submit cover letter and resume to avaughan@cla-ma.org or mail to Alicia Vaughan, Human Resources Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
CLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CLA encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Posted: 4/24/2026
Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA has over 180 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and partnerships with our client communities.
CLA seeks a staff attorney who will help people coming out of incarceration with re-entry issues and low-wage workers with employment law matters. The attorney will help formerly incarcerated individuals seal, expunge, or correct their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and will represent people seeking to overturn housing denials based on their CORI. The attorney will also help individuals with barriers to employment resulting from their CORI, including denials involving state agency-level background checks. The attorney will also assist workers, including formerly incarcerated workers, with unemployment, wage & hour, leave, and employment discrimination matters. In addition to representing individual clients, the attorney will engage in active community outreach and education, including holding regular intake hours off site, and will work closely with community partners. The attorney will be based in CLA’s Pittsfield office. Part-time hours are negotiable for this position.
COMPENSATION: The starting salary for this position is $73,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience to a maximum of $109,000. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); student loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
Please submit cover letter and resume to avaughan@cla-ma.org or mail to Alicia Vaughan, Human Resources Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
CLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CLA encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Posted: 4/24/2026
Salary : $73,000 - $109,000