School Discipline Advocacy Program Fellow

The OpportunityHealth Law Advocates (HLA) provides free legal services to Massachusetts residents with low income who face barriers to accessing health care. Learn more about us at www.healthlawadvocates.org.The School Discipline Advocacy Program (SDAP) focuses specifically on school discipline issues that disproportionately impose inappropriate punishment instead of providing needed mental health services for students, especially students of color, with mental health disabilities. The SDAP Fellow will advance this goal by increasing MHAP for Kids' capacity to represent parents/guardians at school discipline proceedings. The Fellow will represent families at discipline hearings and in other school discipline related matters. The Fellow may also assist in the supervision of legal interns who also represent families in school discipline hearings and other school discipline related matters. Additionally, the Fellow will focus on outreach efforts to establish relationships with community partners.You'll get great training and supervision, direct client contact, mentoring from a highly collaborative team of experienced attorneys, and excellent benefits.Duties and Responsibilities Work with MHAP for Kids paralegals to identify appropriate cases for the SDAP and conduct initial intakes wherever possible. Conduct in-person or virtual follow-up interviews with parents to collect information, obtain releases and obtain records that parent/guardian may already have in their possession. Conduct investigations by obtaining relevant records, speaking with other parties working with the family and research relevant laws and regulations. Once the investigation is completed, ensure that the parent/guardian reviews and signs a limited representation agreement. Represent a minimum of 20 clients over the course of the one-year fellowship at disciplinary proceedings, manifestation determination meetings, and/or superintendents' appeals, advocating on behalf of the affected students.Identify community partners and conduct outreach with those partners to promote the SDAP and cultivate referrals. Develop materials and deliver trainings to community partners aimed at educating attendees on school discipline and how to incorporate youth voice in the discipline process. May supervise legal interns in their representation of families with school discipline needs and attend disciplinary proceedings as a "second chair" for those students. QualificationsAll HLA employees are expected to have the skills to:Work both independently and as an effective team member Collaborate with and support staff at all levels of our organizationCommunicate clearly and professionallyDemonstrate empathy and sensitivity while working directly with clients encountering crisesMaintain confidentiality and, for attorneys, strict adherence to all professional responsibility requirements for the practice of lawDemonstrate intellectual curiosity and openness, with the desire and ability to listen and learn Understand and believe in the mission of the organizationEmbody the values of the organization, including a commitment to decreasing inequity in our health care system and society as a whole In addition, requirements specific to this position are:Must have graduated from an accredited law school before September 2026 with a J.D. or LL.M and 0-3 years of experience as a lawyerRecent law school graduates are encouraged to apply Comprehensive training will be provided Ability to display strategic thinking, analytical presentation and critical thinking skillsAbility to perform comfortably in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented work environmentAbility to manage competing deadlines and tasks simultaneouslyWillingness to build relationships with community collaterals and think creatively about outreach initiativesCommitment to developing oral and written advocacy skills Demonstrated interest in public interest law Excellent legal research and writing skills Access to self-provided transportation Ability to travel to in-person meetings in the state of Massachusetts if necessary Multilingual ability (preferred)CompensationThe salary range for this position is $75,700-$81,000 annually. Benefits include:Retirement Plans 401(k) or Roth 401(k) retirement plans with employer contribution after one year of service. Medical Insurance HMO and PPO Options with a generous employer contribution. If you obtain health insurance elsewhere (typically through a parent, spouse or domestic partner) you are eligible for a taxable reimbursement.Dental and Vision InsuranceMedical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) FSAs allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for health care and dependent care expenses.Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance Life insurance at 2x your salary with a maximum of $400,000. The benefit is doubled in the event of accidental death. Long-term disability benefit that covers 60% of salary after 90 days of disability.Paid Time Off 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, 3 personal days plus your birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and 3 volunteer days per year.To Apply Our standard process is for applications to be submitted online at: https://hlainc.efficientapply.com/jobs/ where you will upload a resume and cover letter. A cover letter is required.If this process is not accessible to you, please contact hr@hla-inc.org or 617-275-2985.HLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all identities with regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, and many other factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive work environment where all team members are encouraged to be their authentic and whole selves.