Advocacy Director
Mission Statement: The mission of Florida Rural Legal Services is to empower low-income individuals, groups, and communities by providing them with access to justice through legal advice, representation, and advocacy.
Position Overview: The Advocacy Director is an executive management level attorney position who reports directly to the Executive Director. This position includes involvement in the overall management of the program, with primary responsibilities for program-wide advocacy, grant advocacy goals, management of advocate performance evaluations, substantive law training, assistance with the Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) program, litigation support, and recruitment. The Advocacy Director will assist in implementing the organization’s policies and strategies and be aware of the scope and requirements as well as the expected outcomes. The Advocacy Director role will require the capacity to build and maintain effective relationships both within and outside the organization.
Specific Duties and Essential Functions:
- The Advocacy Director is accountable to the Executive Director, and they work together to ensure that the initiatives they implement have positive and measurable outcomes.
- Mentor attorneys and advocates in developing litigation skills; develop litigation training (both for individuals and program-wide) and teaching the full range of litigation.
- Assisting in identification of systemic changes susceptible to negotiation, litigation, and/or policy advocacy.
- Build and maintain relationships with members, partner organizations, coalitions, foundations, and associations throughout the state to advance advocacy goals.
- Organize and lead quarterly Advocacy program meetings.
- Coordinate with Regional Managing Attorney’s and Workgroup Leaders to ensure a robust, relevant program of learning opportunities related to advocacy and public policy for attorneys.
- Serve as the lead for advocacy committees and as a liaison to the Executive Director on committee recommendations.
- In support of the Executive Director, participate in leading strategic and educational convenings of various stakeholder and leadership groups
- Strategically and collaboratively coordinate activities by members, partners by providing materials, in-service trainings, and one-on-one coaching
- Works with Human Resources and Managing Attorneys to address any staffing issues regarding advocacy and client issues
- Set numeric and programmatic goals, analyze progress, adjust to meet performance goals.
- Develop, conduct, and evaluate training programs
- Leading litigation and co-counseling as needed,
- Implementing case goals and representation in high impact cases
- Leading High Impact Litigation Team
- Assisting with pro bono services program wide
- Develop special projects as needed.
- Works with Human Resources and Managing Attorneys to address any staffing issues regarding advocacy and client related issues.
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
- A minimum of eight years’ litigation experience is required. Litigation experience in State and Federal court proceedings required.
- Extensive knowledge of the State and Federal rules of civil procedure, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for the clients.
- Barred in Florida or willing to take the Florida bar within six months of hiring.
- Litigation experience in State and Federal court proceedings required.
- Extensive knowledge of the State and Federal rules of civil procedure, commitment to the mission of FRLS and compassion for low income and vulnerable clients.
- Strong, in-depth litigation experience, including appellate experience.
- Management experience.
- Demonstrated training and mentoring experience.
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple substantive areas of law; the ability to identify systemic legal issues and creative solutions to multi-faceted legal problems.
- Ability to forge positive relationships with prospects and colleagues.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, yet independently.
- Must be able to maximize existing resources effectively and efficiently.
- Proficiency using technology tools in litigation.
- Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations which involve deadlines.
- Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of clients with low incomes and disabilities.
- Must possess personal attributes such as integrity, focus, diligence and ability to communicate effectively and persuade others towards their point of view
- Bilingual English and Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred, but not required.
Working conditions
This position operates in a professional office environment.
Physical requirements
- Must be able effectively communicate with peers, supervisors, clients and the public verbally and in writing.
- Must be able to effectively work in high-pressure situations, which involve deadlines.
- Must be willing to travel as a part of leading advocacy efforts for FRLS.
- Must provide program advocacy goals, advocate and litigation reports and advocacy related strategic plan to FRLS Executive Director
Direct reports
- Regional Managing Attorneys
- Hotline Director
Other
The Advocacy Director of Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. is not subject to the FRLS collective bargaining agreements.
EEOC Statement:
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc., does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other characteristic protected by federal, state of local law.