Director of Litigation & Policy
Provide leadership for performance at all levels of legal staff consistent with the NLSLA mission and vision. Lead staff in developing and carrying out systematic and individual advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities, mental illness, and homelessness. Oversee all litigation and advocacy on education, initiating and developing relationships in the San Gabriel and Antelope Valleys with external stakeholders and partners ranging from civil rights groups, law firms, legal services programs, government agencies, community organizations, key funders, and donors to secure partnerships, grants, and other opportunities and support. Formulate and implement policy advocacy and litigation for major grants and projects. Coordinate directly with the CFO to ensure adherence to budgeting on grants and projects. Support Supervising Attorneys in recruiting attorneys and paralegals. Supervise, train, and manage attorneys directly on case matters, writing, and advocacy in conjunction with the Supervising Attorneys. Engage in all management responsibilities and activities of the Senior Team . This position reports to the Executive & Deputy Directors and serves as part of the NLSLA senior management team. Ensure competent staffing coverage of all impact cases, policy projects and other substantial initiatives.
NLSLA is one of Los Angeles County's leading public interest law offices and has been the primary legal aid program serving the cities of Burbank and Glendale and the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys for more than 50 years and the city of Pasadena and San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys since 2001. The NLSLA staff of 120+, including 50 lawyers, provides legal assistance to low-income individuals, families and groups in the areas of family law and domestic violence, housing, health care, education, public benefits, economic and job development, immigrant rights, consumer rights and environmental justice. NLSLA is headquartered in Glendale, CA with branch offices in Pacoima, El Monte and Boyle Heights.
Through a combination of individual representation, high impact litigation and public policy advocacy, NLSLA combats the immediate and long-lasting effects of poverty and expands access to health, opportunity and justice in Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods. Founded in response to the nation’s War on Poverty, each year NLSLA provides free assistance to more than 80,000 individuals and families through innovative projects that address the most critical needs of impoverished communities
NLSLA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from minorities, females, people with disabilities and veterans.
Minimum ten years of litigation and policy advocacy experience, ideally with background in addressing social justice issues. Collaborative management style and demonstrated commitment to the value of teams. Passionate commitment to social justice and to NLSLA’s goals and missions. Experience with fee generating civil rights cases and development of innovative funding sources for advocacy. Successful track record forging alliances and coalitions and moving people to take collective action. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to write and speak persuasively to diverse audiences, including general public, media, lawyers, advocates, funders, donors, and opinion leaders; experience working with community based organizations. J.D. good standing in California Bar required. Bilingual capacity strongly preferred.
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume and a writing sample to:
Yvonne Mariajimenez, Esq -Deputy Director
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
1102 E. Chevy Chase Drive
Glendale, CA 91205
Fax: (818) 291-1790 E-mail: employment@nlsla.org