Deputy Director/Managing Attorney

ABOUT LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO

Incorporated in 1953, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc. (LASSD) is dedicated to improving lives by advancing justice through effective and vigorous legal advocacy, outreach and education. 

With an annual budget of approximately $17 M, LASSD’s staff of 146 includes 63 attorneys and 45 advocates who work on specialized teams in the substantive priority areas of housing and community development, health, welfare, immigration law, consumer protection law, family law, and SSI advocacy.  In addition, our pro bono team provides volunteer opportunities in all of these substantive areas, as well as with tax law, conservatorships, and domestic violence; other volunteers assist with our various court centered partnership clinics.  Find out more about us at www.lassd.org.

OVERVIEW OF THE JOB:

The Deputy Director/Managing Attorney (DD/MA) is a strategic thought‐partner to the Chief Counsel with a passion for leading a sophisticated poverty law organization.  The DD/MA oversees and integrates the work of multiple teams through collaborative efforts that engender efficiency, trust and respect among all parties.

A seasoned attorney who has deep knowledge of and experience in poverty law, the DD/MA has a visceral connection to the people and communities we serve.

Among the DD/MA’s many duties, this executive is responsible for:

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Supervising, coaching and evaluating experienced attorneys in all manner of poverty law practice
• Overseeing the quality of the legal work product of substantive law teams
• Collaborating with the management team on the creation of policy, procedures, and strategies for advancing the work of the firm
• Partnering with the Chief Counsel and the board on developing long‐term operational and strategic plans
• Maintaining continuous lines of communication, keeping the Chief Counsel informed of all critical personnel and program issues
• Handling personnel issues including hiring, conflict resolution, disciplinary action and termination processes
• Identifying new opportunities for cost‐savings, funding, programs and partnerships that will advance the work of the firm

External Relations

• Engaging community residents and community leaders in conversation about formal and informal efforts to address policy, program and legal issues that advance the rights of low‐ income people
• Representing the organization externally, as necessary, through all manner of public speaking engagements
• Leading contracting, banking and other business negotiations/relationships
• Visions external relations activities and increase efficiencies

Administrative Management and Oversight

• Monitoring regulatory compliance and communicating compliance requirements effectively to others throughout the firm
• Providing assistance with developing and monitoring budgets and financial plans in collaboration with appropriate personnel (i.e., Chief Counsel, CFO, and team leaders)
• Working closely with the Board of Directors to ensure LASSD’s fiduciary and compliance responsibilities are fulfilled in a transparent and responsible manner
• Ensuring policies and procedures are in place and effectively communicating it to staff to protect the organization
• Assisting with the development of funding proposals and ensuring that funding requirements are met
• Other duties as required

Salary range:  $90,000 ‐ $115,000 based on experience.  Full benefits provided.