Managing Attorney
Volunteer Services & Community Engagement
CONTRACT RUNS FOR A PERIOD OF 60 DAYS
Purpose of Job: 1) To ensure applicants for service receive uniform, high quality advocacy for clients whose needs can be met through the participation of the private bar in the provision of services; 2) To cultivate linkages and coordinate outreach to the community where Legal Aid may increase visibility, leverage resources, and enhance services to clients. Volunteer Services responsibilities include the recruitment of volunteers, the oversight of the manner and quality of volunteer legal services, and the development of programs and initiatives that will increase and sustain the involvement of the private bar in the delivery of civil legal services to the poor. Community engagement responsibilities include developing relationships with stakeholders to identify opportunities for Legal Aid to deliver enhanced services through partnerships and to increase awareness of the services of the Legal Aid Society. 3) To engage the community and the private bar in ways that expand Legal Aid’s capacity to serve people living in poverty.
Work Environment: Work performed in the office setting, in the courts and administrative agencies, and in the community.
Essential Job Functions:
- Supervise and coordinate the legal work of the Volunteer Lawyer Program including: direct supervision and training of program staff; quality reviews of work product and processes to ensure high quality services to clients; recruitment of volunteer attorneys.
- Coordinate program participation in community events and identify opportunities to conduct outreach to the client community.
- Work with staff to develop preventative education programs to address client needs and to enhance services.
- Provide legal representation consistent with professional standards for the delivery of civil legal services to the poor and consistent with any requirement of Legal Services Corporation and all other funding sources or program policies.
- Maintain accurate and complete files or records. Prepares reports and timely complete forms and records necessary for client services or administrative tasks related to job.
- Create, implement, and maintain programs that forge sustaining connections between the private bar and Legal Aid’s client community for the purpose of fighting poverty and expanding Legal Aid’s capacity to serve people in poverty both in the present and in the future.
- Interact with clients and staff and service providers professionally and appropriately. Establish and maintain rapport with clients to obtain accurate information and to establish trust. Work with other staff on client services or other program tasks in a collegial and cooperative nature. Develop and nurture good relations with service providers who make referrals or otherwise coordinate with the program.
- Provide oversight and ensure quality provision of services. Mentor volunteers and staff to cultivate a culture of excellence and ensure effectiveness of services delivered.
- Occasional night and weekend hours; some local and out-of-town travel.
- Serve as management designee in disciplinary grievance processes.
- Serve as a supervisor in matters designated by the Executive Director and Advocacy Director.
- Other duties as needed and directed by the Executive Director and Advocacy Director.
- Serve as part of the Management Team.
Qualifications:
- Must have demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
- Must have J.D. and be admitted to practice in Kentucky and in good standing or must be eligible for admission to the Kentucky Bar under Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 2.112 if admitted to practice in another state.
- Must have skills to use office technologies, including case management software.
- Must have strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to train, supervise and motivate staff.
- Must be able to balance administrative, supervisory and client advocacy responsibilities.
- Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and must hold a valid driver’s license and be able to be insured.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls or equipment; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other:
The statements contained in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or to otherwise balance the work load.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Meagen Peden Agnew at the Legal Aid Society (416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40202) or to magnew@laslou.org.
Legal Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.