Description:
Description:Unit Director, Client Access & Pro Bono
Unit/Program: Access
FSLA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Compliance & Operations
Created/Updated: November 2025
Position Summary:
The Director of Client Access, Self-Help, and Pro Bono Services is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing Legal Aid of Nebraska's statewide strategy to ensure equitable access to civil legal services. This role integrates Legal Aid's key access-to-justice functions — Access and Community Engagement, Intake and Coordinated Service Delivery, Self-Help Services, and Pro Bono and Volunteer Engagement — under one unified vision.
The Director provides strategic oversight and program leadership, ensuring Legal Aid's access systems are efficient, inclusive, and client-centered. The role involves leading the development of outreach partnerships, managing intake operations, overseeing self-help and assisted legal services, and strengthening pro bono engagement statewide.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Leadership and Program Design
- Develop and lead a unified, statewide access-to-justice framework that integrates intake, self-help, pro bono, and outreach services.
- Implement strategic plans to promote equitable access through partnerships, community engagement, and referral systems.
- Collaborate with executive leadership and unit directors to align access and service delivery priorities.
- Identify and apply innovative technologies to improve access, triage, and service coordination.
- Establish and monitor program goals, outcomes, and metrics in alignment with Legal Aid's mission and funder expectations.
- Oversee statewide community outreach and engagement strategies to expand equitable access to services.
- Foster partnerships with law schools, firms, bar associations, and civic organizations to build Nebraska's pro bono and access-to-justice infrastructure.
- Represent Legal Aid on committees, commissions, and task forces to advocate for systemic access improvements.
- Oversee centralized intake operations to ensure quality, consistency, and accessibility across all platforms (phone, online, and walk-in).
- Develop and implement intake policies, procedures, and training that ensure efficient and equitable service delivery.
- Collaborate with substantive unit directors to coordinate case triage and referrals.
- Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) intake requirements.
- Supervise and support the Self-Help Coordinator and related staff.
- Lead the development and maintenance of self-help resources, including online tools, forms, and handbooks.
- Ensure consistent quality and client experience in assisted self-help services.
- Track and evaluate self-help initiatives using data-driven reporting and feedback systems.
- Direct statewide pro bono and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
- Cultivate relationships with educational institutions, professional associations, and community partners to grow volunteer participation.
- Oversee compliance with LSC Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) requirements.
- Collaborate with Development and Communications teams to enhance visibility and recognition of pro bono efforts.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate program managers and staff.
- Promote innovation, inclusion, and teamwork across departments.
- Support grant development and reporting for access-to-justice initiatives.
- Serve as part of Legal Aid's Leadership Team, contributing to statewide program planning and implementation.
Requirements:
Qualifications:
Basic Requirements:
Preferred Requirements:
Physical Requirements:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law in Nebraska, or eligible for prompt admission.
- Minimum of seven (7) years in civil legal services, nonprofit management, or access-to-justice work.
- Experience in a leadership role managing statewide or multi-site access, self-help, or volunteer programs.
Preferred Requirements:
- Knowledge of Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, pro bono program design, and legal technology platforms.
- Experience supervising attorneys, coordinators, or paralegals.
- Strategic planning and leadership in access-to-justice or nonprofit legal services.
- Strong program management, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
- Experience building partnerships with courts, law schools, bar associations, and community organizations.
- Background in program evaluation and data-informed decision-making.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (or another language commonly spoken by clients).
Physical Requirements:
- Primarily office-based with general office conditions
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and operate standard office equipment
- Ability to travel across the state as needed for client meetings, court appearances, and outreach events.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.