About the Legal Services Center: Located at the crossroads of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury in the City of Boston, the Legal Services Center is a community-based clinical law program of Harvard Law School. Our longstanding mission is to educate law students for practice and professional service while simultaneously meeting the critical needs of the community. Since 1979, we have engaged in cutting-edge litigation and legal strategies to improve the lives of individual clients, to seek systemic change for the communities we serve, and to provide law students with a singular opportunity to develop fundamental lawyering skills within a public interest law setting. To learn more about LSC, including our six clinics, please visit here.
The Staff Attorney will play a key role-as litigator and strategic partner-in the operation of the Tax Litigation Clinic ("the Clinic") at the Legal Services Center (LSC) of Harvard Law School. The Clinic-through which Harvard Law students receive hands-on training in lawyering skills-provides free legal representation to low-income taxpayers in a variety of fora, including in agency actions before the federal Internal Revenue Service and Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the United States Tax Court, and various federal district and circuit courts. The Clinic's docket reflects a mix of individual representation cases, impact litigation, and policy initiatives. The Staff Attorney will work closely with the Clinic Director and will collaborate often with other members of the LSC team. This position represents a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic public interest and to advocate creatively on behalf of taxpayers facing various forms of personal income tax auditing and collections actions by the state and federal government.
Position Description
As a Staff Attorney you will:
collaborate with the Clinic director, and other members of the LSC team, in developing and maintaining the clinic's docket of active cases
serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in Clinic cases
screen cases for merit and pedagogical value
help maintain the Clinic's diverse docket through community and organizational partnerships
work with the Clinic Director to engage in short-term and long-term planning for the Clinic and identify strategic opportunities that further the Clinic's mission
help review and maintain the Clinic's goals for purposes of state and federal grant requirements
contribute to the LSC community and participate in LSC committees and work groups
support various administrative aspects of the Clinic's functioning
help mentor and support law students working in the Clinic
Basic Qualifications
Candidates must have earned a J.D. at least three years ago, have at least three years of relevant experience, and be admitted to a state bar.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
a demonstrated commitment to social justice advocacy
experience in tax controversy litigation, including both individual representation cases and impact litigation
a track record of developing and/or contributing to creative advocacy strategies
a passion for teaching and mentoring
experience with, or an interest in clinical education
a demonstrated commitment to diversity and an inclusive working and learning environment
a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit with the proven ability to work in teams and independently
Additional Information
This is a one-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
About Us
Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
