Director of Legal Services (ECI)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Earl Carl Institute at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law seeks a creative and highly experienced Legal Director who will work with the Executive Director and lead senior staff to shape and guide the program’s delivery of high-quality legal services to traditionally disenfranchised and underserved communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Legal Director provides leadership to ensure that The Earl Carl Institute achieves its overall mission to provide legal assistance to BIPOC and other traditionally disenfranchised populations. The Legal Director is responsible for facilitating quality delivery of legal services. The Legal Director leads, manages, and supports legal personnel consisting of advocacy directors and managing attorneys who provide direct client representation and serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in major litigation, including class action lawsuits. The Legal Director also provides public policy analysis and testimony. The Legal Director ensures grant compliance. The Legal Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director to lead strategic planning to ensure that the program is addressing the most significant barriers. Also while working with the Executive Director, this position focuses on establishing, and implementing the programmatic vision for the organization’s legal work, recognizing the various and inter-related tools that a quality, impactful legal nonprofit must employ for meaningful community engagement, client counseling, litigation, permissible policy advocacy, and strategic use of media.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Day-to-day leadership and oversight of ECI’s legal work and legal team members
• Participates in regular case reviews with all attorneys
• Conducts annual job performance reviews and assists with the development of professional development plans with team members
• Oversees orientation and training of new team members
• Updates client services manual and oversees the efficiencies and effectiveness of the ECI Case Management System and case handling procedures.
• Reviews and responds to complaints regarding intake and case services
• Oversees the TMSL Student Pro Bono Program and Public Interest Certification
• Reviews timesheets and expense reports of legal team members

Community Involvement and Systemic Advocacy:

• Organize, design and lead CLE training sessions on various subject matters of law that ECI currently works on
• Participates in local, state, and national councils, boards, committees, etc. to address identified program issues and concerns
• Cultivates and maintains collaborative working relationships with other agencies and organizations working on similar projects
• Work collaboratively with funders and other partner organizations being funded by the same funders as ECI
• Serve on various external committees and task forces relevant to legal services
• Participates in projects that address systemic issues which fall under program areas of work
• Provides public policy analysis and testimony as needed and provides education to applicable state departments, the state legislature and other entities involved with individuals that have been traditionally marginalized or underserved
• Collaborates with the Community Engagement team as needed to develop content for newsletter articles, social media, annual report, and other publications as well as live and recorded video and audio content
• Oversees special projects such as Community Legal Advocate Program and HALO Initiative
• Performs related tasks consistent with skills and abilities and general responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or other law school approved by Texas Supreme Court
• Active Texas law license or ability to procure one within one year of hire
• Strong preference for applicants who have practiced law at a legal services program or nonprofit for 7 or more years
• A minimum 5 years of management experience
• Computer proficiency (Word, Acrobat, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of and/or commitment to learn the LegalServer software used by many legal service providers in Texas as a client, clinic, and volunteer database for handling files, coordinating clinics and running reports

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Licensed to practice law in Texas.