LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS SEEKS A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead this non-profit law firm that is the primary provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly Texans in 114 counties in North and West Texas.
About the Position
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) seeks an experienced leader who is passionate about its mission “to ensure equal justice for low-income people through the provision of high-quality legal representation and to improve the lives of low-income Texans through the rule of law.” This leader will work with a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors, an active management team, and an experienced and committed staff. The next CEO of LANWT will have the opportunity to fully realize the potential of this organization, poised to achieve fiscal strength, excellent legal services, and a leadership role throughout Texas and the country.
High priority roles and responsibilities for the new CEO include:
• Serving as the public face of LANWT, and nurturing effective relationships between LANWT and clients, funders, human services organizations/groups, bar associations, and business, political, and legal aid communities
• Developing a clear vision for LANWT for the next 2 to 5 years and beyond
• Engaging in the strategic planning necessary to implement that vision and leveraging relationships and talent to accomplish that vision
• Supporting and developing the diverse and dedicated Board of Directors
• Leading the experienced and committed management team and staff to excellent legal services
• Maintaining the fiscal and operational strength of LANWT by meeting Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Legal Services Corporation and other funders’ requirements
• Maintaining LANWT’s existing resources while developing new resources to support its work
• Enhancing the use of technology to improve client services and staff effectiveness
About Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly Texans in North and West Texas. Its mission is to “to ensure equal justice for low-income people through the provision of high-quality legal representation and to improve the lives of low-income Texans through the rule of law.”
LANWT has a budget of $18 million annually. Its offices are in Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford and Wichita Falls. It employs more than 100 attorneys, supported by a staff of 100 paralegals and administrative staff. An additional 30 part-time attorneys staff a statewide legal hot line to help broaden LANWT’s ability to assist those in rural areas. More than 1.5 million people, residing in 114 counties, covering 106,000 square miles, qualify for services from LANWT under federal poverty guidelines.
LANWT focuses its practice on:
• Support for Families
• Preserving the Home
• Maintaining Economic Stability
• Safety, Stability, and Health
• Individuals with Special Needs
• Problems Affecting Groups of Individuals
LANWT’s funding sources include the Legal Services Corporation; the Texas Access to Justice Foundation; federal, state and local government grants and contracts; and private contributions.
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States and a thriving center of culture and commerce. It boasts a dazzling downtown area, remarkable museums, historic sites, the Texas Motor Speedway, spectacular annual events and a lot more. To learn more about Fort Worth, visit www.fortworth.com.
To learn more about Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and its work, visit www.lanwt.org.
Qualifications of the new CEO include:
• Be passionate about the mission of LANWT and demonstrate a commitment to providing legal services to low-income and elderly Texans
• Be a successful leader in an organization of the size and complexity of LANWT, preferably a legal aid organization
• Possess significant management experience, including supervision of staff, financial oversight, development of budgets, labor-management relations, and compliance with grant and contract requirements
• Have practiced law, and have or be eligible for a Texas law license
• Demonstrate outstanding presentation and communication skills and ability to be an outgoing spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser
• Value diversity and be culturally competent
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Possess a strong work ethic and sense of accountability
Applications
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. In order to receive full consideration, however, candidates are urged to submit their materials by September 2, 2016. Please include a letter expressing in detail your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you hope to contribute to the organization’s future; a current resume; and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Microsoft Word or pdf format.
LANWT is being assisted in the search by Patricia Pap, Executive Director, Management Information Exchange, 99 Chauncy St., Suite 716, Boston, MA 02111, 617-556-0288, [email protected]. Candidates with questions about the position or process are encouraged to contact her.
LANWT is an equal opportunity employer and highly encourages candidates with disabilities, women, persons of color, LGBTQ and others who represent distinct linguistic or cultural communities to apply.
Salary depends on experience based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Benefits are excellent.