Executive Director
Prison Law Office
Berkeley, CA
About Prison Law Office
The Prison Law Office (PLO) is a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Berkeley, California, that strives to reduce incarceration and demands fair and humane treatment consistent with the Constitution and other laws for people who remain in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities and who are on parole. With a staff of attorneys, investigators, litigation assistants, and support personnel, the Prison Law Office engages in class action and other impact litigation, advocates for policy and law changes, assists individuals in administrative actions and lawsuits, educates the public, creates and distributes self-help information, and lends technical assistance to other attorneys.
Founded in 1976, the Prison Law Office originally focused on conditions of confinement issues in California state prisons. Over the years, the office has expanded its reach to include people in California juvenile prisons, Arizona state prisons, and California county jails and juvenile halls. The Prison Law Office has litigated numerous successful institutional reform cases that, among other things, have drastically reduced the number of people incarcerated in California and, for those still in custody, significantly improved health care services, guaranteed people with disabilities reasonable accommodations and equal access to jail and prison programs, reduced the use of excessive force, limited racial discrimination in prisons, and restricted the use of solitary confinement in adult and juvenile correctional systems. Much of the work involves post-trial remedial monitoring and remedial litigation practice on long-running state-wide or county-wide class actions; attorneys frequently tour correctional facilities and interview incarcerated people and correctional staff to monitor compliance with existing decrees.
For more information on the Prison Law Office, please visit https://prisonlaw.com/.
The Opportunity
The Prison Law Office is seeking an Executive Director to lead one of the nation’s premier organizations devoted to protecting the legal rights of people incarcerated in California and beyond. This leader will be a strategist and skilled litigator, who can situate litigation for lasting change in a larger framework.
This is an exceptional opportunity for the right mission-driven leader to provide leadership and strategy for Prison Law Office as the new Executive Director, advancing the organization’s life-changing work to help people facing inhumane, unfair, and unlawful treatment in California state prisons, county jails, juvenile halls, and Arizona state prisons.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have oversight for a $5M budget and 30 staff. This leader will have the opportunity to build on a legacy of high-impact litigation, working at the forefront of challenges facing our current prison system. This leader will establish, cultivate, and maintain strong working relationships with staff, clients, and a network of key partners and decision-makers, including advocacy and policy partners, jail/prison staff and administrators, national leaders in corrections and criminal legal system reform, and aligned and allied nonprofits. With oversight of all internal processes, programming, strategic planning, and revenue development, the Executive Director will help forge new partnerships and build on PLO's existing programs, increasing the organization’s visibility, impact, and financial resources.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $250,000 - $300,000 with a generous benefits package. Excellent benefits include medical, dental, and supplemental mental health coverage.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Michelle Bonoan and Medelene Beasley of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Express interest by https://apptrkr.com/4248646 or email Michelle and Medelene directly at https://tinyurl.com/3f7mwtax and https://tinyurl.com/46zvrwuv. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email https://tinyurl.com/2xf3f73n. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.
People of color, LGBTQI individuals, persons with disabilities, and people who have had prior contact or experience with the criminal legal system or prison systems are encouraged to apply.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/our-brands/koya-partners/.
The Executive Director will support and model a warm and open work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates an exceptional and diverse team. With a clear vision, the Executive Director will be committed to maintaining a cohesive, positive organizational culture that emphasizes collaboration, collegiality, and accountability.
Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director will guide PLO by overseeing all operational, financial, and legal work of the organization. Responsibilities of the Executive Director include:
● Reporting on programmatic, financial, and litigation issues of the organization to the Board of Directors.
● Consulting with the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors.
● Developing and managing the budget.
● Providing leadership to and managing the efforts of staff to ensure appropriate support for all aspects of the organization.
● Retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff by providing career coaching, growth, and personal development for workers.
● Ensuring that services are sufficient to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives.
Candidate Profile
The Executive Director will be an inspiring and values-aligned leader with the capacity to envision and strategically plan for the organization's future and manage strategy, staff, and operations for the Prison Law Office. The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position must possess a strong expertise in civil litigation. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles, processes, and tactics involved in challenging government actions, as well as experience in working with administrative law, regulatory frameworks, and constitutional issues. Successful candidates will have a Juris Doctor degree; and admission to the California Bar or plans to sit for the next California Bar Exam.
In addition, the ideal candidate will have the following attributes and competencies:
Passion for Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Executive Director will have a deep commitment and passion for the mission of The Prison Law Office and will be driven by the opportunity to protect the constitutional rights of California prisoners through class action litigation, legal services, and advocacy. This leader will bring expertise in correctional and criminal legal system matters and a track record of commitment to prison reform to address lack of fair, humane, and equitable practices, and racial/ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system. The Executive Director will be a person of unquestioned integrity with a deep commitment to advancing and operationalizing diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion.
Strategic and Visionary Leadership
The Executive Director will be a strategic and visionary leader who will honor the extraordinary work and impact of PLO. This leader will articulate a clear vision and strategic plan to ensure future sustainability and impact for the organization. This individual will build a culture of inclusive decision making that centers community, staff, and Board members. In addition, the Executive Director will be a flexible and accessible leader who will be attuned to the changing landscape of prison reform. This leader will prioritize creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and accountability as well as mentoring and empowering a team of passionate and committed professionals.
Organizational Development and Change Management Skills
The Executive Director will bring excellent organizational development skills with the ability to model and implement best practices in nonprofit management and build a strong infrastructure with clear policies and procedures and streamlined systems to enable staff with the tools and resources to be successful and execute PLO’s mission and strategic goals.
This leader will effectively direct change management initiatives, leveraging a collaborative approach. The Executive Director will set clear expectations, delegate effectively, listen actively, seek input, and empower staff to realize their full potential through professional development and mentorship opportunities. Also, this leader will ensure strategies are in place to promote recruitment and retention of a diverse staff and employee wellness.
Management Expertise and Business Acumen
The Executive Director will be an experienced nonprofit manager who inspires confidence through clear, competent, and transparent decision-making. This individual will bring experience in nonprofit budgeting and governance, and will promote open dialogue with team members to identify best practices and synthesize divergent views. In concert with the Board and with the organization’s financial and personnel needs in mind, this leader will forecast progress towards stated goals and position the organization for sustainable growth and success.
Excellent Communication, Relationship Building, and Collaboration
The Executive Director will be a compelling and engaging speaker and writer about prison reform and equity/racial justice issues. As the organization’s outward-facing representative, this person will guide messaging to all constituents and speak fluidly and extensively about PLO’s history, impact, and future direction. This leader will be a skilled relationship builder and collaborator, with a demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively, professionally, and effectively with staff, clients, co-counsel, opposing counsel, jail/prison staff, and administrators.
To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/4248646