Advocacy Director

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Quincy, MA

About The Position

The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC), a state agency established by the legislature in 1973, provides free legal assistance to indigent people with mental health challenges throughout Massachusetts. MHLAC works to identify and address issues affecting significant numbers of clients, often in collaboration with advocacy organizations and community partners. Its approaches include class-based and targeted individual litigation, as well as legislative, administrative, and public advocacy. MHLAC also serves as a statewide resource on mental health law and policy through legal and policy materials, testimony, and education and training programs. The Advocacy Director is an experienced lawyer who advances MHLAC’s advocacy work. The Director participates directly in advocacy, supervises senior advocates, guides all advocates, and works closely with the Executive Director to oversee advocacy and maintain high-quality work product. The role shares oversight and supervision duties with the Executive Director and other senior staff, participates in the executive management team, and takes a substantial role in litigation and other advocacy. The Director may represent clients in prioritized individual cases to advance systemic advocacy and MHLAC’s mission, and travels throughout the Commonwealth to meet with clients and client groups. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Finalists will be asked for references and writing samples, and the selected candidate will undergo a criminal background check in compliance with state policy. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter by email or mail. MHLAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds; reasonable accommodations are available.

Requirements

Admission to the Massachusetts Bar, or ability to waive in.
Demonstrated strong commitment to public interest law practice.
At least 15 years of experience delivering legal services to people with limited income or disabilities, including people with real or perceived mental health issues and/or institutionalized people.
At least 10 years of experience leading litigation and other advocacy affecting substantial numbers of clients.
Ability to produce high-quality legal work.
Strong communication and time-management skills.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with clients and co-workers in a team environment.
At least 5 years of experience supervising advocates.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate in a language used by significant numbers of potential clients.

Responsibilities

Coordinate advocacy with the Executive Director and supervise and evaluate other advocates.
Meet regularly with the Executive Director to discuss project progress and advocates’ needs.
Serve on a three-person executive management team with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to address issues spanning substantive and administrative matters.
Directly supervise Program senior advocates.
Draft, review, and edit documents produced for litigation and other advocacy.
Work with the Executive Director, Director of Law and Policy, Legislative Advocacy Director, and advocacy staff to respond to collaboration requests from advocates at other organizations, including requests involving amicus briefs and other advocacy.
Work with the Executive Director and Deputy Director to plan and facilitate Program events that advance advocacy efforts.
Take a substantial role in litigation or other advocacy, independently or with advocacy teams and partner organizations or community groups.
Participate in legal representation in prioritized individual cases as needed to advance systemic advocacy projects and MHLAC’s mission.
Travel throughout Massachusetts to meet with clients and client groups and provide representation, information, or strategic assistance connected to systemic reforms.
Respond to requests for technical assistance from legal advocates and attorneys handling cases for MHLAC-eligible clients.
Attend relevant training conferences and events to stay current on mental health law and policy issues and gain insight into them.
Represent MHLAC client interests in public forums, including legislative and rulemaking hearings and statewide task forces.
Handle other tasks the Executive Director determines are necessary to advance MHLAC’s work.