Directing Attorney for Client Services - Hybrid
Job Type: Full-time
Compton, CA • Legal Services
Description
We're a dynamic legal non-profit committed to fighting injustice and advocating for social, economic, and racial equity by providing compassionate, holistic, and impactful legal services. Join our team, and together we can work towards a world where equity and justice are not a goal, but a given!
The Directing Attorney for Client Services is responsible for creating structures, systems, and protocols to grow the strategic visioning, and leadership skills of the individual supervisors and each of their units to lead to the most impactful legal services for the community. The Directing Attorney for Client Services is a full-time exempt position and reports to the Director of Legal Services.
Responsibilities
Develop supervisors' supervision, management, and advocacy skills. Set goals, identify training needs, and review progress for each supervisor on an ongoing basis.
Conduct regular case review and 1:1 check-in meeting with direct reports.
Coach supervisors to grow as leaders in the program and legal services community.
Identify legal issues of common concern and impact for assigned units and/or general client community.
Encourage and engage in strategic decision-making with each unit. Collaborate with supervisors on unit goal setting, implementation, and unit retreats.
Ensure assigned units’ litigation and administrative advocacy efforts are in accordance with the CLA SoCal priorities and case handling policies.
Ensure legal services provided are in compliance with LSC regulations, IOLTA requirements, and other CLA SoCal grants. Work with supervising attorneys and advocates to engage in grant-related advocacy and problem-solving.
Co-counsel with supervisors and attorneys on complex or novel cases.
Attend assigned legal units’ case review meetings on a quarterly basis, at minimum.
In collaboration with other directing attorneys, lead supervisors' team monthly meetings.
Act as liaison with the local community partners, courts, bar associations, and local government officials.
Act as Liaison between leadership team and supervisors.
Coordinate with pro bono team to create and manage pro bono opportunities including clinics, casework and mentoring.
Collaborate with CLA SoCal management team to identify and address program issues and develop and implement program strategies and assessments.
Conduct employee hiring interviews with supervising attorneys and other CLA SoCal staff as part of CLA SoCal hiring process.
Collaborate with the Human Resources Department to ensure that all staff are recruited, hired, managed, and developed in order to maximize performance, JEDI values, and retention.
Collaborate with Fund Development to identify funding opportunities, prepare applications, and assist with grant reporting.
Collaborate with operations (compliance and data) and finance to maintain accurate and timely records and timekeeping to meet funder requirements.
Cooperate with the Finance Department in enforcing fiscally sound organizational procedures to help ensure clean annual audits.
Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.
Juris Doctor and active membership in good-standing with the State Bar of California Bar or member of another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider.
Minimum of 8 years of experience as an attorney.
Minimum of 3 years of experience managing, supervising, and mentoring.
General legal knowledge of State and Federal trial and appellate work.
Superior understanding of legal principles and their application, the rules of evidence, the conduct of court proceedings, civil and related codes of California, and legal research skills.
Competent legal knowledge in all of the practice areas for which they will be responsible for direct supervision of the Supervising Attorney and unit advocates.
Ability to communicate effectively with, understand, and relate to the communities served by CLA SoCal.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues, Bar Associations, community partners, governmental bodies, and the Courts.
Leadership and management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Reliable team player and multitasker.
Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize among competing tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, values diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives, empathetic and energetic attitude while working with others.
Knowledge of effective training techniques for legal advocates.
Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients.
Proactive approach, anticipate problems, solution-focused, and able to think on their feet.
High level of initiative and mature judgement in tackling multiple projects and tasks with limited supervision.
Ability to implement organizational and grant policies and compliance guidelines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) Lawyaw (or other Judicial Council form preparation program) and other software programs.
Familiarity with grant and legal services contract management – Preferred.
Proven interest in social justice issues.
Previous legal aid or other non-profit organization experience – Preferred.
Familiarity with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) rules and regulations - Preferred.
Ability to model CLA SoCal’s values (compassion, collaboration, trust, accountability and equity) in the performance of job duties – Required.
Commitment to and ability to articulate and promote CLA SoCal’s mission – Required.
Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy or other ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners – Required.
Please apply on our job board site at:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1879160/Communi...