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Director of Racial Justice and Equity

Description: 
About the Position:

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. With more than 90 years of service, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 170 employees, including more than 80 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact health, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics put LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Director of Racial Justice and Equity.

The Position: LAFLA seeks an experienced advocate with a strong commitment to racial justice issues and advancing equity to join our team as of the Director of Racial Justice and Equity. The successful candidate will increase our workforce’s cultural competencies and build a legal services delivery system that systematically and aggressively identifies and addresses race-based injustices that low-income individuals and communities of color face. The Director will work closely with the Managing Attorneys of the Legal Team to pursue systematic change in law and policy which may include co-counseling or otherwise supporting the racial justice client casework. The Director will also serve on LAFLA’s Race, Equity, and Initiative (REI) committee as the management representative to guide and support their work. The position is an exciting opportunity at a critical moment in our country to tackle injustice and promote equity for communities of color.

*Assigned location is subject to change during the course of employment.

 

Requirements: 
Qualifications:

• Active membership in the California State Bar required;
• At least five (5) years of legal services experience required;
• Demonstrated knowledge of poverty law (across substantive areas) and community legal needs;
• Relevant advocacy, policy, project management, and coalition-building experience, with significant experience in racial justice, civil rights, and/or equity issues;
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively about racial equity;
• Skilled in identifying data-driven solutions;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and lead multiple projects;
• Ability to balance short and long-term objectives; and
• Ability to think strategically, and to lead and work collaboratively with others.

Examples of Duties:

• Work with the Executive Director, Director of Housing Justice, Director of Community and Economic Justice and Special Counsel on Language Justice to center equity in our substantive work;
• Implement and coordinate LAFLA’s racial equity agenda including enhancing staff’s ability to be responsive to racial justice issues and a diverse client population;
• Lead LAFLA’s REI Committee as well as the Legal team to create and expand equity-based projects and initiatives;
• Work closely with the directors and managers of each of our teams, as well as all staff members, to pursue systemic change in the law and policy;
• Develop planning and evaluation tools that center equity and shape new project ideas into proposals for new funding;
• Work with the Communications Department to develop media and/or social media strategies to advance equity-related policy objectives;
• Build and maintain relationships and engage in collaborative efforts with partners and coalitions, including national state-based or local legal services programs, civil rights organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders;
• Work with staff to engage in research and analysis, produce written materials, present trainings, and provide technical assistance related to the pervasive and ingrained systemic and intersectional inequities faced by communities of color, immigrants or those with limited English proficiency, and the LGBTQ community; and
• Participate in conferences and meetings virtually or in-person (when safe to do so).

 

To Apply: 
How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume online to jobs@lafla.org. Include “Director of Race, Equity and Inclusion” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one-year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

Benefits & Compensation

LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

 

Information

Submission Deadline: 
May 19, 2021
Organization Information: 
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles County
United States