Director of Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission

The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission (Commission) is accepting applications for a full-time Director to oversee the activities of the Commission, working closely with the Commission’s Co-Chairs. The position is funded by and based at the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC). We are located in a beautiful office space on Tremont Street near Government Center in Boston. Currently MLAC follows a hybrid work schedule and requires all employees to live within a commutable distance to the Boston office.

About the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission

The 30-member Commission, appointed by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is charged with providing leadership, vision and coordination in the search for “equal justice for all persons in the Commonwealth.” Since its establishment in 2005, the Commission has often been at the forefront of developing and nurturing innovative civil access to justice projects. The Commission is comprised of leadership from the courts, legal services, the private bar, law schools, social services agencies, bar associations, the business and philanthropic world, and other members of the public. Highlights of the work and accomplishments of the Commission can be found at the Commission’s website, www.massa2j.org. 

About MLAC

The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) is a not-for-profit organization established by the Commonwealth to ensure that low-income people with critical, non-criminal legal problems have access to legal information, advice, and representation. MLAC provides leadership and support for the continued improvement of legal aid to people with low incomes.

MLAC is committed to diversity in its workforce. A crucial part of MLAC’s vision is ensuring diversity of staff and volunteers, as well as supporting cultural and linguistic competence, so our team is reflective of our grantee organizations and the clients they serve. Women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and people who speak English as a second language are encouraged to apply. Learn more about us at www.mlac.org.

Summary of the Director Position

By providing both strategic guidance and day-to-day management, the Director will ensure that the Commission continues to have a meaningful impact on the administration of justice in the state, and beyond. The full-time Director will be an employee of MLAC, working on behalf of the Commission.  The Director will be supervised by the Commission Co-chairs and will also report to the Executive Director of MLAC. The position will be awarded under a two-year contract, subject to renewal. 

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic Guidance

• Work closely with the Co-Chairs, providing strategic guidance and insight on state and national access to justice initiatives.
• Work closely with the Co-Chairs on the Commission’s strategic planning activities.
• Monitor new state and federal legislation, rulemaking, policies, and resources to ensure that the Commission pursues cutting-edge initiatives supporting access to justice.
• Monitor innovative activities within Massachusetts and beyond, with an eye toward opportunities to coordinate/expand/replicate.
• Participate in national webinars and conference calls on issues relating to access to justice and attend annual national conference.
• Advise the Co-Chairs and the Commission on relevant issues relating to civil legal aid and other access to justice related issues.
• Keep abreast of existing and novel funding sources for civil legal aid – within the state, in other states, and nationally.

Programmatic

• Oversee key operational functions to carry out the priorities of the Commission, which includes developing and preparing meeting agendas, initiating and arranging stakeholder meetings, monitoring progress of Commission committees, and communicating with partner organizations within Massachusetts and nationally.
• Participate in select Commission committees.
• Support Commissioner appointments processes, and manage new Commissioner orientations and engagement with the Commission.
• Support Commissioner succession planning through outreach and leadership development.
• Publicize the work of the Commission to enhance the public’s knowledge of access to justice issues, which includes website oversight, and communicating the work of the Commission to Commissioners and Commission committee volunteers.
• Draft substantive letters, comments, and collaborative reports on behalf of the Commission.
• Draft Commission Annual Report.
• Support the Trial Court’s strategic initiatives relating to access to justice.
• Collaborate with the judiciary, legal services providers, community partners, pro bono attorneys, the private bar, government entities, and others to continue to strengthen our existing initiatives and develop new initiatives.
• Participate as a member of the MLAC community, which includes attending meetings, trainings, and collaborating with the department directors at MLAC to enhance the work of the Commission.

Background and Qualifications

• J.D. and at least five to seven years of experience strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated familiarity with access to justice initiatives in Massachusetts and beyond; 
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse constituencies and to engage a broad range of stakeholders in the Commission’s work;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in areas of law most impacted by barriers to accessing justice;
• Demonstrated interest in understanding and connecting with varied geographic areas of the Commonwealth;
• Demonstrated administrative management skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to work well with, and motivate, a variety of stakeholder volunteers;
• Demonstrated commitment and experience with racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or programming;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the Massachusetts civil justice system; and
• Experience working with people with low incomes and/or working as a consultant with nonprofits that serve people with low incomes preferred.