POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Legal Director provides leadership to ensure that The Earl Carl Institute achieves its overall mission to provide legal assistance to BIPOC and other traditionally disenfranchised populations. The Legal Director is responsible for facilitating quality delivery of legal services. The Legal Director leads, manages, and supports legal personnel consisting of advocacy directors and managing attorneys who provide direct client representation and serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in major litigation, including class action lawsuits. The Legal Director also provides public policy analysis and testimony. The Legal Director ensures grant compliance. The Legal Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director to lead strategic planning to ensure that the program addresses the most significant barriers. Also, while working with the Executive Director, this position focuses on establishing and implementing the programmatic vision for the organization’s legal work, recognizing the various and inter-related tools that a quality, impactful legal nonprofit must employ for meaningful community engagement, client counseling, litigation, permissible policy advocacy, and strategic use of media.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership Responsibilities:
Day-to-day leadership and oversight of ECI’s legal work and legal team members
Participates in regular case reviews with all attorneys
Conducts annual job performance reviews and assists with the development of professional development plans with team members
Oversees orientation and training of new team members
Updates client services manual and oversees the efficiencies and effectiveness of the ECI Case Management System and case handling procedures.
Reviews and responds to complaints regarding intake and case services
Oversees the TMSL Student Pro Bono Program and Public Interest Certification
Reviews timesheets and expense reports of legal team members
Community Involvement and Systemic Advocacy:
Organize, design and lead CLE training sessions on various subject matters of law that ECI currently works on
Participates in local, state, and national councils, boards, committees, etc. to address identified program issues and concerns
Cultivates and maintains collaborative working relationships with other agencies and organizations working on similar projects
Work collaboratively with funders and other partner organizations being funded by the same funders as ECI
Serve on various external committees and task forces relevant to legal services
Participates in projects that address systemic issues which fall under program areas of work
Provides public policy analysis and testimony as needed and provides education to applicable state departments, the state legislature and other entities involved with individuals that have been traditionally marginalized or underserved
Collaborates with the Community Engagement team as needed to develop content for newsletter articles, social media, annual report, and other publications as well as live and recorded video and audio content
Oversees special projects such as Community Legal Advocate Program and HALO Initiative
Performs related tasks consistent with skills and abilities and general responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director
Knowledge of:
Poverty law policies, procedures, and practices
Management and supervisory practices
Legal Case management systems and other job-related software systems
Supervisory techniques
Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications
Skill in:
Oral and written communication competency with attention to detail
Problem-solving and decision-making
Outstanding leadership skills
Multitasking and time management
Coordinating work of others
Planning activities
All aspects of legal representation and client relations
Understanding of human resource management and evaluation
Analyzing documents
Leading project.
Both verbal and written communication
Ability to:
Work independently
Facilitate communication within teams and participate effectively as a member in teams
Use job-related software and systems
Easily integrate new technology into work environment
Use job-related such as Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, document assembly programs or similar
Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of ECI and Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or other law school approved by the Texas Supreme Court
Active Texas law license or ability to procure one within one year of hire
Strong preference for applicants who have practiced law at a legal services program or nonprofit for 7 or more years
A minimum 5 years of management experience
Computer proficiency (Word, Acrobat, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of and/or commitment to learn the LegalServer software used by many legal service providers in Texas as a client, clinic, and volunteer database for handling files, coordinating clinics and running reports
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice law in Texas.
Email a resume and cover letter to [email protected].