Director of Special Programs & Pro Bono (Hybrid)

Description:

The Director of Special Projects and Pro Bono is a senior leadership role within the firm, overseeing GLS' Special Program and Pro Bono Initiatives; responsibilities will include leading assignments and performing independently. This position is expected to provide guidance, mentoring, direction, and leadership to their team and throughout the agency and to carry a substantial case load. This individual is responsible for managing delivery of service through expertise within a variety of areas of law and supervises other attorneys and team members within the unit. They possess exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills. This position is expected to deliver superior performance at a high capacity with a client-centered approach to services.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversight of special projects unique to the agency which do not fall into traditional programmatic units.
• Oversight of volunteer/pro bono program, intern/extern programs, and co-counseling relationships, monitoring case statuses.
• Tracking and analyzing legislative initiatives and case law developments for delivery to legal/programmatic staff.
• Serves as a manager, trainer, mentor, and resource for other staff within the unit.
• Supervises other attorneys, paralegals, Victim Advocates, Client Service Specialists, and students as assigned.
• Provides input on complex cases to support agency staff, leading and co-counseling in appellate cases as appropriate and required.
• Facilitates regular case staffing meetings with staff.
• Seeks out new/novel areas of law to expand our firm practice areas, in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer; collaborates with the CEO and Grants and Resource Development Manager in identifying sources of funding for expanding projects.
• Assists programmatic units with seeking attorneys' fees as allowable.
• Responds to the legal needs of clients, through the provision of direct legal assistance.
• Develops and monitors GLS pro bono projects, including limited scope or full representation, participation in GLS's legal clinics, and co-counsel on individual cases and impact litigation.
• Assist in the development, coordination, and presentation of substantive law trainings to private bar attorneys.
• Actively engage in trainings, community outreach events, and meetings concerning pro bono and participate in pro bono working groups/committees.
• Design and implement quality control system for cases assigned to volunteers, in consultation with other staff and as applicable to all grant conditions.
• Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure grant matches are on track and/or being met.
• Work with the Grants & Resource Development Manager to highlight outstanding volunteers in GLS communications.
• Provides updates to CEO on needs of unit; represents unit in leadership team meetings as requested.
• Travel will be necessary, access to reliable transportation is required.
• Performs other duties as discussed with the CEO.

• Satisfactory attendance and punctuality.
• Compliance with all A Regional 501(C)3 Non-Profit Organization policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with and adherence to the organization's mission.
• Excellent trauma informed legal services understanding and implementation skills.
• Satisfactory completion of duties and responsibilities of the position as required by management and supervisors.
• Performs related work as required and fills in for positions above and below in the event of staffing shortages.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, required.
• Ability to deal professionally, courteously, and efficiently with people.
• Demonstrated experience with and commitment to working with clients who have experienced trauma.
• Ability to plan, direct and coordinate activities; work with government agencies, community groups and other organizations as necessary; communicate effectively in both written and oral forms; exhibit independent judgment in the development, implementation and evaluation of plans, procedures, and policies.
• Demonstrated solution-based leadership skills.
• Ability to work on various projects while balancing different priorities.
• Ability to work overtime and non-business hours as required to complete assignments and/or meet client needs.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• A commitment to the provision of high-quality legal services to under- and unserved populations and the mission and vision of A Regional 501(C)3 Non-Profit Organization.
• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Florida Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the State of Florida.
• No action and/or disciplinary measure taken by the Florida Bar preferred.
• At least ten (10) years' experience as a licensed, practicing attorney preferred, preferably with at least one year of experience in a legal aid, government, or nonprofit setting. Other relevant experience may be considered.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and/or carry office supplies, equipment, files, etc. up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to work overtime when required.
• Ability to lift and/or carry office supplies, equipment, files, etc. up to 10 pounds.

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