Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney
at Disability Law Center
🏢 About Disability Law Center
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Massachusetts, charged with protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Unlike traditional law firms, DLC operates as a non-profit, mission-driven organization that combines legal advocacy, monitoring, and policy work to fight abuse and neglect in settings like psychiatric hospitals and group homes. Working there means joining a union-eligible, passionate team where your legal skills directly advance disability justice and systemic reform.
About This Role
As a Staff Attorney at DLC, you’ll represent clients in litigation and negotiation, conduct in-person monitoring and investigations of abuse/neglect, and engage in policy analysis and community outreach. The role is remote but requires Massachusetts residency and regular in-person meetings, facility visits, and collaboration with the Managing Attorney and Legal Director. This is a high-impact position where your legal work directly protects the civil rights of people with disabilities across the state.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might include reviewing case files and conducting legal research in the morning, then traveling to a psychiatric hospital or group home for an in-person monitoring visit and client interviews in the afternoon. Later, you might draft a demand letter, consult with the Legal Director on case strategy, or prepare self-advocacy materials for a community training. The work is varied, mission-driven, and often involves collaboration with colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Disability Law Center Is Looking For
- Licensed to practice law in Massachusetts (or eligible for admission) with a strong commitment to disability rights and social justice.
- Experience in litigation, negotiation, and case management, ideally with a background in disability law, civil rights, or public interest law.
- Comfortable conducting in-person monitoring and investigations in facilities such as psychiatric hospitals and group homes, including interviewing individuals with disabilities and stakeholders.
- Skilled in legal research, policy analysis, and developing self-advocacy materials and training for community members.
📝 Tips for Applying to Disability Law Center
Explicitly state your Massachusetts residency and bar admission status in your cover letter and resume—this is a hard requirement and remote work is only allowed within MA.
Highlight any experience with Protection & Advocacy (P&A) systems, disability rights law, or investigations of abuse/neglect in institutional settings.
Emphasize your ability to conduct in-person monitoring and investigative work, as this is a core function and not just a desk job.
Mention any experience working with unionized environments or non-profit legal organizations, as DLC is union-eligible and mission-driven.
Tailor your materials to show you understand DLC’s dual role: direct client representation and systemic advocacy through policy and outreach.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific motivation for working at a Protection & Advocacy agency and advancing disability rights in Massachusetts.', 'Concrete examples of litigation, negotiation, or investigative work you’ve done, especially involving vulnerable populations or institutional settings.', 'Your ability to balance direct client representation with policy analysis, community outreach, and self-advocacy training.', 'Your familiarity with Massachusetts disability law, agencies, and stakeholders, and your commitment to working in-person as required.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read DLC’s annual reports, strategic plan, and recent impact cases to understand their priorities and successes.
- → Learn about the federal Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
- → Research Massachusetts-specific disability laws, agencies (e.g., Department of Mental Health, Department of Developmental Services), and key advocacy organizations.
- → Look into recent news or reports about abuse/neglect in Massachusetts psychiatric hospitals or group homes to speak knowledgeably about current issues.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without confirming Massachusetts residency or bar eligibility—this is a strict requirement and remote work is only within MA.
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention disability rights, P&A work, or DLC’s mission.
- Downplaying the in-person monitoring and investigative aspects of the role, or indicating reluctance to travel to facilities.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Disability Law Center!