Director of Litigation
DNA-People's Legal Services is a non-profit law firm providing high quality legal services to persons living in poverty on the Navajo, Hopi, and Jicarilla Apache Nations, and in parts of Northern Arizona, Northwest New Mexico, and Southern Utah. DNA is seeking to hire an experienced Director of Litigation.
Please contact DNA Human Resources for additional information including a job description and a complete listing of minimum job qualifications. We provide excellent benefits, including full health insurance, dental and vision, generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have ten years of legal practice experience in a Legal Services Corporation or similarly funded non-profit civil legal aid program; and five (5) years legal supervision experience. Applicant must be licensed to practice law in Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah, or be able to obtain a state license to practice law in one of these jurisdictions within two (2) years of hiring. Applicant must also possess a Navajo, Hopi, or Jicarilla tribal court license, or the ability to obtain a tribal court law license in one of these jurisdictions within two (2) years. Applicant must also be admitted to practice law in at least one Federal District or Federal Appellate Court; or be able to gain admittance to a Federal District or Appellate Court located in the DNA service area within two years. Must have strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to travel and work throughout the DNA service area.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
(a) Nurture a portfolio of ground-breaking, high profile, and impactful cases.
(b) Responsible for ensuring that DNA effectively represents clients in major litigation and routine cases and that all legal work is consistent with DNA’s priorities and mission.
(c) Responsible for reviewing, revising, and developing internal procedures, standards, and written materials for: outreach; intake; discovery; pre-trial motion practice; and trial.
(d) Responsible for teaching deposition and trial skills, promoting effective teamwork among DNA legal staff, preparing and reviewing court filings and legal briefs; maintaining an internal brief and pleadings bank.
(e) Ensure that DNA case compliance documents are accurate and up-to-date.
(f) Recommend use of litigation funds.
(g) Ensure that DNA legal staff adhere to all applicable professional and ethical standards; that legal staff comply with all case and court deadlines; that legal staff maintain an adequate case load; and that legal staff comply with funder and internal case document guidelines.
(h) In addition to handling a case load, oversee an effective case management system for multiple cases and deadlines, and maintain high quality case files.
(i) Develop, initiate, and plan major advocacy activities, including litigation and administrative advocacy.
(j) Review case work on a regular basis to assure the quality and timeliness of legal work.
(k) Participate in attorney recruitment.
(l) Work closely with administrative and legal staff to ensure that all DNA legal work complies with programmatic, regulatory, and funder requirements.
(m) Oversee and manage legal staff work activity to ensure that all grant funds are properly and timely spent, and that services are provided throughout DNA’s entire service area.
(n) Collaborate with Executive Director and Operations Manager on employee relations and human resources.
(o) Performs all duties as requested by the Executive Director.
WHAT TO SUBMIT: Employment Application (found at https://dnalegalservices.org/career-opportunities-2/), Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts and (Writing Sample-Attorneys only)
HOW TO APPLY: Email: HResources@dnalegalservices.org | Direct: 928.871.4151| Fax: 928.871.5036 (Faxed documents accepted) Preference is given to qualified Navajo and other Native American applicants.
DNA is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. DNA requires all applicants to be eligible to work within the United States. DNA will not sponsor visas unless otherwise noted on the position description.