Director of Advocacy & Litigation
The Director of Advocacy and Litigation is a member of the TRLS’s management team and is responsible for leading, inspiring, and promoting excellence in pursuit of TRLS’s mission to provide quality legal assistance to the poor, abused, disabled and elderly, and to empower through preventive legal education. The Director of Advocacy and Litigation brings strategic vision and management experience to TRLS’s work to break down barriers to equity caused by poverty, racism, sex discrimination, disability, limited English proficiency, and other circumstances that systemically impair access to essential resources and opportunity. The Director of Advocacy carries out these responsibilities through close collaboration with, and supervision of, TRLS’s advocacy staff, and by serving as an expert, supportive counsel, and resource to TRLS’s Managing Attorneys and advocates.
The Director of Advocacy and Litigation is also responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships with advocacy leaders in the broader access to justice, public interest, and legal communities; is the chief spokesperson for communicating TRLS’s strategic advocacy goals to partners; and works collaboratively with partners and supporters to develop and promote comprehensive advocacy strategies to achieve systemic goals. Toward this end, the Director of Advocacy and Litigation is engaged in access to justice community-wide activities that promote TRLS’s advocacy goals and is a visible leader within TRLS’s advocacy community.
The Director of Advocacy and Litigation reports to the Executive Director.
The Director of Advocacy and Litigation’s role and function at TRLS are:
Provides dynamic, motivational leadership for high quality, impactful, and innovative legal representation and advocacy to TRLS’s highly committed advocates, and communicates TRLS’s advocacy objectives and successes to encourage and enhance public support for TRLS’s work and mission.
Promotes the effective use of organizational resources to advance TRLS’s mission and advocacy objectives. Develops advocacy structures and programs to respond to emerging client community need and the needs of all TRLS advocates.
With management, implements advocacy related policies and protocols, including coordination with the Deputy Director on regulatory and compliance issues, and develops effective systems for management and support of Managing Attorneys and advocates to ensure statewide collaboration on systemic advocacy efforts.
Works with the management team to address and enhance advocacy related professional development systems and provide opportunities to develop advocacy leaders, and specifically helps to lead TRLS’s race equity focused staff development initiatives.
Leads the implementation of advocacy goals set out in TRLS’s Strategic Plan.
Facilitates coordination and collaboration among all TRLS’s offices, client intake and service systems, and specialized projects and units to strengthen TRLS’s client access, legal representation needs, and advocacy objectives.
The Director of Advocacy and Litigation plays a critical leadership role in advancing TRLS’s commitment to race equity, diversity and inclusion.
Salary Range: Specific salary will be based upon relevant experience. In addition, TRLS offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a 5% employer contribution to a 403(b) after 2 years of service, as well as generous time off.
Qualifications for the position -
To be successful in this leadership position, the Director of Advocacy and Litigation will have many of the following qualities and competencies as demonstrated by specific experience:
- A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in legal aid programs, social justice or public interest organizations, or law firms with a demonstrated commitment to systemic public interest litigation/advocacy for the common good.
- Experience in complex litigation at trial and appellate levels of state and/or federal courts or administrative tribunals. Demonstrated success in multi-forum, community-centered advocacy efforts.
- Ability to communicate strategic intent and to lead teams to identify, develop, and implement strategic advocacy initiatives and other systemic advocacy goals.
- Experience managing and supervising individual advocate and non-advocate staff, managing advocacy teams, and/or managing managers.
- Culturally competent and able to work in a diverse environment with lawyers, advocates, and administrative staff with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities in a workplace committed to embracing equity and inclusion in all aspects of its work and organization.
- Member in good standing of the Florida State Bar Association or other state bar and the ability to become a member of the Florida State Bar.
If unable to meet all criteria, TRLS will consider the full breadth of experience in order to determine if an applicant is deemed qualified.
The successful candidate will have the option to work out of any three of TRLS’s Offices: Jacksonville, Gainesville, or Lake City.
To Apply: Submit a letter of interest, current resume and writing sample to Human Resources at jobs@trls.org. Cover letter and email subject line should clearly reference “Director of Advocacy and Litigation”. Cover letter should directly address reason for interest in the position and outline experience mentoring others.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2021 or until filled
TRLS is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. TRLS actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. TRLS is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious preference, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process or for more information about the project should contact Human Resources at jobs@trls.org.