Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Springfield, MA

Government

Springfield, MA

Criminal Law - Defense Attorney in Springfield, MA

Attorney

Min 4 yrs required

No

Job Title: Trial Attorney - YAD Springfield

Job Responsibilities:
Trial Attorneys within the Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) are tasked with providing zealous legal representation for delinquency and youthful offender cases, utilizing the Positive Youth Development Approach. This role requires the use of all criminal defense skills necessary for practice in district and superior courts. Additionally, Trial Attorneys provide post-dispositional advocacy and support for youth committed to the Department of Youth Services (DYS), as well as school-based advocacy. They are also involved in projects aimed at improving legal representation and outcomes for court-involved children. Furthermore, Trial Attorneys are expected to take on leadership roles in efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities within the juvenile legal system.

Education and Experience Information:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
- A strong commitment to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population.
- Eligibility to practice law in Massachusetts, which includes being a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or a member of the bar of another jurisdiction eligible for limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04.
- Access to an automobile for travel to courts, clients, and investigation sites not easily accessible by public transportation.
- Access to home internet sufficient for remote work.

Qualifications/Skills:
- Experience in criminal defense, particularly youth defense.
- Experience with a community-oriented defender practice.
- Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent representation.
- Knowledge of adolescent development.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and experience working with diverse backgrounds.
- Knowledge of positive youth development and state and local resources beneficial to juvenile defendants.
- Understanding of juvenile justice practice and policy issues.
- Experience with educational system advocacy and the child welfare system.
- Experience working with children and youth.
- Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
- Lawyers with four or more years of experience are encouraged to apply.

Salary Information:
The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $127,050, which is commensurate with years of experience.

EEO Statement:
The organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This compliance is as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants with questions about equal employment opportunity or those requiring reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the Chief Human Resources Officer.