Pro Bono and Events Coordinator

Job Title: Pro Bono and Events Coordinator

Reports to: Deputy Director

About PLAN, Inc.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring equal access to justice for low-income Pennsylvanians. As the strategic leader and coordinator for eight independent regional legal aid programs and six specialized legal aid programs, PLAN, Inc. makes the delivery of free legal services possible across the state. PLAN Inc.’s vision is to create a society where every low-income individual and family in Pennsylvania can access the full spectrum of civil legal services and remedies. PLAN, Inc. administers funding from major governmental sources to support the network of legal aid programs.

Through a client-centered approach, PLAN, Inc. supports a compassionate and coordinated legal aid delivery system. This system offers essential legal information, advice, and representation on critical issues affecting basic needs, including food, shelter, employment, consumer issues, healthcare, and family safety.

Beyond funding administration, PLAN, Inc. provides several direct services and programs. It supports and facilitates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Internship and Fellowship programs, which financially support summer law internships and post-graduate fellowships. PLAN, Inc. also delivers a comprehensive range of training for the staff of all PLAN, Inc. programs, other public interest lawyers, pro bono attorneys, and others. Additionally, PLAN, Inc. maintains a website aimed at providing plain-language legal information to the general public, assists member programs with resource development and communications, and hosts an annual Excellence Awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of legal aid staff and supporters of access to justice.

Position Description: This position will be a new role at PLAN, Inc. It offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to build an important new project that we intend to scale to a statewide level in the future, as well as to support our event management team.

PLAN is headquartered in Harrisburg, PA. Some staff work remotely and others work hybrid. This is a hybrid position which can be based anywhere in Pennsylvania, with weekly travel to the PLAN office in Harrisburg or other locations in Pennsylvania required.

This position has two primary areas of work:

Pro Bono Project Coordination (50%)

The staff member will be responsible for implementing an Appellate Pro Bono Pilot Project. The Pilot Project was originally envisioned by the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association to fill a demonstrated gap in available legal aid for low-income Pennsylvanians who were represented before the Court of Common Pleas by a civil legal aid organization (“CLAO”) but would be unrepresented on appeal to the Superior Court. The role will include close collaboration with the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services and the 13 PLAN Network organizations across the Commonwealth. The Coordinator will support and contribute to the development of the Pilot Project; assist with the coordination of training, the implementation, and administration of the Project; and serve as a liaison between the CLAOs, clients, and volunteer attorney(s) involved. Once this Pilot Project is successfully established, we anticipate that the Coordinator will work on the expansion of the Project statewide, and also the possible expansion into other types of pro bono cases.

Events & Training Coordination (50%)

The staff member will provide support to the team that plans and coordinates events for PLAN and the entire Network. Our event portfolio includes smaller training sessions conducted online for Continuing Legal Education credits. It also includes yearly in-person convenings for many of our substantive law groups, where we have anywhere from 20-50 attendees in person in Harrisburg. Finally, the events and training team also plans an annual training conference open to all PLAN Network staff that takes place over two days in the fall. This flagship PLAN event has 400+ attendees. This team is in the process of implementing new training management tools, and the staff member in this role will have a hand in developing the future of this aspect of our work. The new role will also assist with all in person events and manage events communication.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Carry out the implementation of the Pro Bono Pilot Program for the Appellate Advocacy Project in the Superior Court’s Western District, including the articulation of a vision and strategy for enhancing pro bono appellate work, recruitment of volunteers, case referral systems, training programs, mentorship structures, a resource library, and other program elements, as time allows.
2. Collaborate with the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services and PLAN Network organizations to: identify cases for pro bono appellate representation, organize and distribute training materials, and help to evaluate cases for pro bono suitability and referral.
3. Coordinate the development and publication of resources and training materials for the Appellate Advocacy Project. In conjunction with PLAN staff, create and maintain web-based pro bono resource library relevant to the caseload of the Project.
4. Gather data, compile information, and prepare reports for funders and stakeholders;
5. Gather data and compile information for public facing materials (i.e. newsletters, websites, etc.).in collaboration with project partners.
6. Contribute to the development and operation of Appellate Advocacy Project programming, including:
   • • Assign pro bono cases and support volunteer attorneys
     • Serve as a bridge between the referring CLAO and the volunteer attorney(s) representing the client on appeal
     • Serve as backup point of contact to ensure communication and continuing connection between attorneys, clients and CLAOs
     • Help to inform and educate CLAOs about the Project, including but not limited to the cases that can be referred, the timeframe for referral, and the continuing obligations of the CLAO to the client and volunteer attorney(s)
     • Coordinate the development of programming and activities for pro bono attorney recruitment
     • Develop, maintain, and update forms for pro bono case referral packet
     • Develop, summarize, report on surveys to pro-bono attorneys, clients, and other stakeholders
7. Assist in the development, execution, reporting, and follow up of online and in person events and trainings, including CLE trainings and pro bono attorney recruitment events. Assist with CLE training, planning, registration, reporting credits to CLE board. Responsible for event logistics including: event registration, presenters, staffing, technology, materials/handouts, and refreshments. Collaborate with partners for training presenters, content, and materials.
8. Plan and execute all events and training related communication, including social media, email lists and promotion with local bar associations and other internal and external partners.
9. Organize and participate in volunteer attorney recognition efforts including recognition activities.
10. Collaborate in the continuous development of relationships with individual attorneys, law firms, solo practitioners, law schools, bar associations, parallel and partner pro bono groups, especially as it relates to recruiting and retaining volunteers. Maintain volunteer database, listservs, etc.
11. Complete administrative tasks that include maintaining systems for tracking volunteer attorney data and case management, and prepare correspondence and documents to assist volunteers in the representation of clients. Respond to volunteer inquiries. Follow up with volunteer attorneys to ascertain case status, update case status in Legal Server, and ensure timely case closure for pro bono cases. Be responsible for intensive case coordination.
12. Collaborate with CLAOs including intake staff and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services in creating systems for identifying new cases for pro bono referrals.
13. Develop knowledge of relevant law and community referral resources through training, continuing legal education courses, and other educational opportunities; explain program parameters to clients.
14. Abide by all professional and ethical standards of excellence.
15. Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication skills required to work with clients, attorneys, and the general public.
• Strong organizational skills, high level of attention to detail, creative problem solving, and ability to balance demands of multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and processes, or ability and motivation to learn.
• Ability to follow through on projects and ensure timely completion of tasks, activities, events, and deliverables including gathering information and resources from multiple internal and external partners.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of an associate degree or paralegal certificate, or commensurate experience.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a program coordinator or paralegal preferred, or related experience and/or training.
• Advanced proficiency and experience with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), PDF and web-based form development tools, case management systems, and database activity with a high level of accuracy. Skilled with WordPress or other web-based Content Management System (CMS) and other website content management tools. Graphic design a plus (Canva, Adobe Suite).
• Experience with database report generation.
• Previous experience in areas of poverty law is preferred but not required.
• Current driver’s license and ability to travel regularly within the service area required. Other travel within PA may also be necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Nondiscrimination:

We are proud to foster a supportive work environment where you can grow both personally and professionally. PLAN, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, PLAN, Inc. complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

PLAN, Inc. offers generous benefits including:

• Employer provided medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Retirement plan with an employer contribution and match
• Employer provided life insurance and short / long-term disability coverage
• Generous leave time

Excellent written and spoken English required. Other languages welcome and appreciated.