Executive Director

COMMUNITY LAW CENTER IN BALTIMORE SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Put your leadership to work building just and vibrant community organizations and strong nonprofits in Baltimore, Maryland! The next executive director will join CLC at a time of financial, staff, and Board stability, with an active pro bono panel and engaged clients. This is an exciting opportunity for an attorney leader with vision and creativity to build on a solid base and write the next chapter of CLC’s life in collaboration with staff, Board, and client communities. Priorities for the next years include securing new and larger funding and developing new initiatives to grow our systemic advocacy agenda. The successful candidate could be someone with experience serving as the face of a nonprofit advocacy organization and providing executive-level management, as well as someone now poised to step into this level of leadership. 

The Community Law Center
Community Law Center (CLC) is where community-based organizations turn for a legal partner to help them achieve their missions. CLC’s clients are primarily the local associations that represent the many neighborhoods in Baltimore City and other community-based nonprofits throughout Maryland.  Legal representation is provided by staff attorneys and paralegals and by a robust panel of pro bono private practitioners. Legal matters include incorporation and organizational structure, charity status, tax, real estate and regulatory matters, and community driven advocacy issues. Advocacy issues include working on vacant houses, nuisance properties and liquor establishments, tax sales, land banking, community policing, and building organization capacities. CLC was founded in 1986 and has had only two executive directors in its history, both of whom have now retired. It has a staff of 8 (including 3 attorneys, a paralegal, communications manager, and office manager) with deep knowledge of the community partners and commitment to the organization, and a budget of $700,000.

CLC is an anti-racist organization actively engaged in anti-oppressive social justice work. Its values emphasize equity, effectiveness, communication, collaboration, and learning. All staff are fully engaged in CLC’s mission and values and are excited to welcome a new ED. For more information about CLC, visit www.communitylaw.org .

Desired Attributes and Responsibilities
The candidate must be an attorney in good standing who is admitted, or who is eligible to be admitted, to practice law in the state of Maryland. In addition, the following are some of the key qualities of the successful candidate. In your application, please also describe other attributes you have that qualify you for this position.

• Ambassador. Maintain and continually grow significant opportunities to enhance CLC’s profile – in the legal community, with client communities, and with the public at large – through relationship-building as well as effective written, digital, and oral communications. Demonstrable commitment to legal assistance for disadvantaged groups and disinvested neighborhoods; and commitment to social, economic, and racial justice. Experience in nurturing collaborative relationships with community organizations, funders, and other allies and partners including legislators, private bar and judicial leaders, private donors and businesses, and civic organizations throughout Maryland. Ability to engage and inspire staff members, board members, clients, and other stakeholders in realizing CLC’s mission, and refining and adapting that mission to meet new challenges and opportunities.

• Funding, Communications, and Financial Leadership. Lead a diverse fundraising program including foundation grants, government funding, and individual, law firm, and corporate donations. Lead a multi-faceted communications program designed to educate the public and clients about CLC, its activities, and its mission. Ensure the organization’s financial health and stability by maintaining sound financial planning and management systems, including preparing budgets and regular financial reports, and maintaining oversight of financial systems and controls.

• Legal Program and Direction. Lead the staff in developing new initiatives and systemic advocacy. Continue to lead the organization with the input and direction of communities we partner with. Hire, supervise, evaluate, and engage with staff to provide direction, advice, and oversight as appropriate. Promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of program activities, including bringing a racial justice lens to delivery of legal services, hiring, retention, and leadership development.

• Board. Work with the Board of Directors to develop fundraising initiatives, program policies, and the strategic direction of the organization.

The successful candidate will be a leader who is kind, organized, energetic, detail oriented, able to delegate, decisive, personable, persuasive, interested in all aspects of the position, and who conveys vision, integrity, courage, intelligence, creativity, energy, and humor equal to the challenges of this demanding position. This is a small office with a long history and practice of collaboration.

Compensation and Benefits
The initial annual salary for the position is $120,000. Benefits include a generous leave policy, excellent health insurance for the employee, a 401(k) plan, the opportunity for partially remote work or a hybrid arrangement, and the camaraderie of a team of committed advocates for social, racial, and economic justice. Executive training and coaching are available.