Director of Litigation and Advocacy
Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) has an exciting leadership position for an experienced and energetic attorney to serve as its Director of Litigation and Advocacy (DLA). Supported by an excellent Board and Leadership Team, BayLegal Staff provide critical legal services for the poorest and most vulnerable residents in seven Bay Area counties. The DLA will have an exceptional opportunity to help design, strategically grow, and direct BayLegal’s litigation and advocacy programs to effectively address the problems of individuals and communities in poverty.
BayLegal’s Director of Litigation and Advocacy, in consultation with BayLegal’s Leadership Team, will be responsible for:
- Leading and planning an articulated strategic advocacy vision and promoting systems for identifying and carrying out high quality impact litigation and policy advocacy
- Mentoring attorneys at all levels, teaching litigation strategies, and developing the litigation skills of the program’s attorneys
- Leading the Impact Team to identify, review, and approve new litigation and work with the Leadership Team to further litigation protocols and regional advocacy
- Co-counseling, coordinating and advising on complex litigation, leading litigation teams, and evaluating alternative forums for solving issues in advance of litigation
- Working with BayLegal’s Pro Bono Department to involve private law firms in co-counseling and to develop external relations with BayLegal’s public and key stakeholders
- Furthering BayLegal’s attorney fee pipeline and working with the Development Staff to further grants and donations for advocacy
The Director of Litigation and Advocacy shall:
- Possess an extensive and varied litigation background, a history of creative and high impact advocacy, demonstrated leadership in litigation, and substantive expertise in poverty law issues
- Be passionate about BayLegal’s mission and demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income persons
- Possess significant commitment, skills, and experience in mentoring and training less- experienced attorneys
- Possess strong leadership skills and a leadership style that inspires and encourages professional growth in others
- Have successful management experience in a legal services program or similar organization, including working in a team environment
- Exhibit excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire the trust and confidence of the BayLegal staff, Leadership Team, board, client communities, and the public
- Be admitted to the California State Bar or admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney program (must pass CA Bar)
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please submit a letter expressing your qualifications for the position and your vision for the future of BayLegal litigation. Please include a resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references.
Our goal is to make a final decision in the spring of 2016. Materials and any questions should be submitted to David McGee, Director of Human Resources at dmcgee@BayLegal.org.
The salary is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Benefits include medical, dental, disability, and life insurance; long term disability; law school loan repayment; bilingual stipend; and 401k retirement plan.
Bay Area Legal Aid thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.