Executive Director
Legal Aid Society (LAS) seeks an Executive Director who possesses a vision and demonstrated passion for serving and advocating for the poor and other vulnerable populations. LAS is a non-profit community-
based provider of civil legal advocacy, dedicated to helping individuals, families and at-risk communities access their legal rights. LAS provides legal assistance to the low-income residents of Jefferson County (Louisville) and 14 surrounding Kentucky counties. Our services include legal representation and community education in the areas of housing, family law, government benefits, consumer rights, education law, and elder law. LAS also offers tailored legal services to vulnerable populations, including victims of domestic violence, seniors, veterans, children, and persons living with disabilities, including HIV disease. LAS receives funding from the Legal Services Corporation and from a variety of local, state, regional and national organizations.
LAS has been well-served by its highly regarded Executive Director, who is retiring after 23 years with the program. The successful applicant will work closely with LAS’s dedicated board and staff, and its numerous volunteer attorneys, to continue the program’s longstanding commitment to our mission.
Key Priorities
- Ensure continued high-quality legal representation and advocacy on behalf of low income individuals and families in our service area
- Network at the local and national level to create and strengthen relationships with collaborative partners and funders
- Guide and implement an ongoing strategic planning process with LAS board, staff and community stakeholders which builds on program strengths with a vision for the future
- Strengthen our fiscal stability by seeking traditional and non-traditional funding sources to increase capacity toward our mission
- Creatively use technology to improve service to the client community and allow staff to work more effectively and efficiently
About Legal Aid Society
LAS is a community-based provider of civil legal advocacy helping individuals, families and at-risk communities access their legal rights. LAS was established in 1921 in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1978, Legal
Aid expanded to serve the fourteen rural counties surrounding Louisville. Approximately 190,000 people live in poverty in our service area. We have a staff of 38, including 22 attorneys, 10 non-attorney advocates and 6 administrative and support staff. We operate from one office located in Louisville.
LAS provides legal representation to our eligible client population with both public and private funding; develops and implements the most effective method of delivering legal assistance; sponsors education and research in poverty law areas; educates the private Bar and encourages their involvement; conducts programs to teach the poor and those who work with them to recognize problems that can and should be addressed by Legal Aid lawyers; and cooperates and partners with other public and private agencies who serve our constituents. LAS has an annual budget of over $3.8 million from 30 federal, state and local sources, including both government and private funding. Each funding source conducts regular programmatic and fiscal monitoring and has found LAS to be compliant.
Core Competencies
- Must have J.D. and be admitted to practice in Kentucky and in good standing or, if admitted to practice in another state, must be eligible for admission to the Kentucky Bar by reciprocity under Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 2.110 or for limited practice license under Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 2.112
- Unwavering commitment and passion to improving the lives of low-income Kentuckians
- A willingness to engage individuals within the client community and those agencies that serve them
- Local, state and national relationship builder and community connector
- Legal aid or public interest work preferred
- Successful track record in resource development, fundraising and grant writing preferred
- Prior management experience involving staff supervision, financial oversight and budget development
- A persuasive and passionate communicator willing to engage a wide range of stakeholders
- Ability to collaborate and partner with other community and state agencies
- Convey vision, integrity, courage, intelligence, creativity, energy and humor equal to the challenges of the position
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. In order to receive full consideration, however, candidates are urged to submit their materials by October 30. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter expressing in detail why they are interested in the position of Executive Director of Legal Aid Society, as well as what they believe they can contribute to the future of LAS and our client communities. The letter should be accompanied by a current resume and names and contact information for three professional references. Materials should be submitted electronically to edsearch@laslou.org. LAS is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates with questions about the position or process are encouraged to contact Jim Straus, Chair of the Search Committee, at edsearch@laslou.org or (502) 589-5400.
Salary depends on experience. Benefits include excellent health insurance, paid leave, and participation in Kentucky’s County retirement plan.