Senior Staff Attorney, Domestic Violence Institute; DVI Clinic

Job Summary

Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) seeks a Staff Attorney to join the Domestic Violence Institute (DVI). The successful candidate will be appointed as a Senior Staff Attorney. The DVI is a part of NUSL’s clinical legal education program and includes the Domestic Violence Clinic (DVC), which operates during the law school’s Fall and Spring Semesters. The DVI provides critical legal representation to eligible child and adult survivors of domestic violence in family and immigration matters, engages in advocacy initiatives, and conducts community education and training.

This position follows a hybrid schedule, with an on-campus presence of 2-3 days per week. Additional on-site days may be required based on operational needs of the clinic/manager. This is a one-year fixed-term position, with the expectation of renewal for up to two additional years, contingent upon the availability of external funding.

• Juris doctor from an ABA‑approved law school and 4+ years of progressively responsible legal experience in family and immigration matters.
• Admission to the Massachusetts bar.
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
• Fluency in English required and Spanish preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, problem‑solving skills, exceptional organizational skills with the ability to organize time and priorities, including multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially in legal research, analysis, and writing.
• Proficiency with legal case management systems, legal research tools including Lexis Nexis and Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts family law and U.S. immigration law and procedures.
• Commitment to protecting the rights of and advocating in the interest of survivors of domestic violence.

• Manage the DVI docket of ongoing projects and client matters under the supervision of the Director.
• Represent clinic clients, serving as primary attorney on all non‑student matters and providing coverage during law school breaks.
• Conduct intakes and consultations and make referrals.
• Maintain clinic files; document and track client matters, outreach initiatives, and project progress.
• Develop and update administrative policies, procedures, and clinic manuals; including reporting for gift objectives and other internal reporting needs.

• Assist the Director in developing clinic projects and client matters.
• Support special projects and emerging initiatives as needed.
• Attend meetings and collaborate with internal and external partners related to client matters and projects.
• Conduct community education and outreach on issues related to domestic violence and available legal services.
• Document and track outreach initiatives as part of ongoing clinic administration.

• Supervise clinic students working on client matters and project‑based assignment at the discretion of the DVI Director.
• Provide guidance on seminar objectives and student tasks, including:
• Legal research and writing
• Case planning and management
• Fact investigation and evidence gathering
• Filing preparation and submission
• Hearing and court appearance preparation
• Client communication and counseling

• Assist with seminar administration, including developing and maintaining clinic manuals, syllabi, readings, and other instructional materials.
• Update and maintain the online learning management system.
• Create, review, and support course assignments.
• Schedule and coordinate guest speakers.
• Provide limited classroom instruction at the Director’s discretion.

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of 3 references in a single PDF file.

Legal and Regulatory Administration

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off,…