Executive Director

CGLA was established in 1973 to serve legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within the Cabrini Green community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and now recognized statewide leader in supporting low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal justice system. Any engagement with the criminal justice system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community’s quality of life. For this reason, CGLA’s mission is to seek justice and mercy for those living in poverty by providing legal services that strengthen individual lives, families, and communities. CGLA aims to proactively fill the void of legal representation, wraparound services, and advocacy for individuals affected by the criminal justice system.

Since its founding, CGLA has helped more than 60,000 people stabilize their lives by removing barriers to economic opportunity, strengthening families, and preventing homelessness. It is the statewide leader in criminal records relief services, which are an integral part of its expanding partnerships with social service agencies. To multiply their capacity and impact, CGLA leverages fellowships and internships and partners with scores of law firms, corporate legal departments, and law schools for thousands of pro bono hours.

In 2020, CGLA helped over 7,000 people gain access to justice, served 4,510 clients through their Live Calls, Summits, and Help Desks, and reached 500 Petitioners in two virtual criminal records relief summits. 

CGLA seeks an Executive Director who is a proven leader and has been a catalyst in fulfilling an organization's mission and vision.  This individual would bring leadership characterized by an ability to genuinely articulate the mission and values of CGLA to garner broad community support, increase visibility of the organization, expand services to underserved communities, and carry forward strategies to execute on major new projects and programs.

CGLA seeks an innovative leader who communicates its mission with enthusiasm and strength.  The ability to relate to a wide variety of constituents including donors, elected officials, state and federal bureaucracies, businesses, law firms, civic groups, regulators and advocates is essential.  Given the requirements to implement the strategic plans of CGLA, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven ability to chart a clear direction and implement activities to reach Board approved goals. A successful track record in setting priorities and keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision-making is required. 

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in obtaining private resources through major individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and government grants.  Experience working directly with individual donors, Board members, corporate entities and law firms, as well as institutional funders and foundations is required.  Demonstrated success in motivating individuals to support through gifts of significance is highly desired. 

Specific experience in an organization focused on legal assistance is not a requirement; however, basic legal knowledge of criminal justice or legal aid is expected.  A connection to the values of CGLA and serving the underserved is required.  Knowledge of effective practices in the leadership and management of legal and/or social services is ideal.  A proven ability to hire, coach, and lead employees as an effective team of closely coordinated, highly professional, self-accountable staff members is a must.

Of critical importance is the candidate’s ability to transform ideas into specific, goal-driven program outcomes.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated skills in operations and business management, including financial management and forecasting.  Experience making strategic decisions in program design and organizational management in pursuit of board goals is expected.

For more information on CGLA, please visit www.cgla.net