Bankruptcy Attorney

The National Consumer Law Center® (NCLC) is seeking an attorney to fight for economic and racial justice as a member of our advocacy staff.  The attorney will have or develop fluency in the bankruptcy code as a tool to remedy systemic inequities affecting low-income and other disadvantaged communities. The attorney will assume primary responsibility for  NCLC’s bankruptcy-related advocacy and work on other consumer law issues as needs arise. 

This is a full time position. The attorney will engage in legislative, agency, and rules-based advocacy to improve bankruptcy laws and make bankruptcy relief more accessible to low-income people; train consumer advocates; consult and provide technical assistance on individual cases; update and revise bankruptcy-related chapters of NCLC’s manuals; and write public facing reports, issue briefs, and articles. The attorney’s primary focus will be on consumer bankruptcy cases filed under chapter 7 and 13. At times, this position will also require developing strategies for protecting consumers as creditors in corporate bankruptcy cases and assisting other consumer advocates in applying those strategies. Duties include: research and writing, conducting trainings, policy advocacy, and public speaking. The attorney will also participate actively in various NCLC advocacy teams that intersect with bankruptcy issues, including student loans, debt collection, credit reporting, auto lending, and homeownership. 

This position may be located in NCLC’s Boston or DC office on a hybrid basis (with work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week), or remotely with occasional travel to Boston and Washington, DC. Relocation assistance is available for new hires who wish to relocate to the Boston or DC office. 

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• A law degree from an accredited law school

• Admission to the bar in good standing in at least one state

• Strong legal, analytical, and writing skills

• At least 5 years of consumer bankruptcy litigation experience

• Experience representing low-income consumers in bankruptcy cases preferred

• Strong communication skills, including effective and persuasive writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse coalitions, funders, and the media, including a track record of building connections between people and organizations to advance shared objectives

• Ability to represent NCLC in a range of situations, including media interviews, fundraising relationships, and public testimony

• Ability to be flexible, collaborative, diplomatic, and proactive and to work with staff throughout NCLC

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice, and to advocating for equity for low-income and other historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged people and communities

Salary: NCLC pays on a competitive salary scale, commensurate with years of legal experience.  For example, starting annual pay at 5 years is $119,800; 10 years $147,000;  15 years $166,800; 20 years $184,000. Benefits: NCLC offers an outstanding and generous benefits package that includes employer-paid medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as pre-tax savings plans, a retirement savings plan with employer contribution, and generous paid time off including holidays, sick time, personal time, parental and family leave, and 4 weeks of paid vacation per year.

How to Apply:  Please submit a resume, cover letter, and legal writing sample (such as a legal brief) to careers@nclc.org (subject line: Bankruptcy Attorney) and/or complete the online employment application https://forms.gle/KxCDbAEvY4YcCGF3A

While applications will be considered on a rolling basis, priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by July 20th.