Legal Services Director

Security Sensitive Position?:YesHours of Work:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-FPosting Number:TSU203506Official TSU Title:Legal Services DirectorGrant Title:n/aJob Description Summary / TWC Summary:JOB SUMMARY:The Earl Carl Institute at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law seeks a creative and highly experienced Legal Services 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 Services 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 Services 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 Services Director also provides public policy analysis and testimony. The Legal Services Director ensures grant compliance. The Legal Services 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.Essential Duties Summary:Leadership Responsobilities:Day-to-day leadership and oversight of ECl’s legal work and legal team membersParticipates In regular case reviews with all attorneysConducts annual Job performance reviews and assists with the development of professional development plans with team membersOversees orientation and training of new team membersUpdates 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 servicesOversees the TMSL Student Pro Bono Program and Public Interest CertificationReviews 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 onParticipates In local, state, and national councils, boards, committees, etc. to address Identified program Issues and concernsCultivates and maintains collaborative working relationships with other agencies and organizations working on similar projectsWork collaboratively with funders and other partner organizations being funded by the same funders as ECIServe on various external committees and task forces relevant to legal servicesParticipates In projects that address systemic Issues which fall under program areas of workProvides public policy analysis and testimony as needed and provides education to applicable state departments, the state legislature and other entitles Involved with individuals that have been traditionally marginalized or underservedCollaborates 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 contentOversees special projects such as Community Legal Advocate Program and HALO InitiativePerforms related tasks consistent with skills and abilities and general responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.% FTE:1.0Hiring Range:$87,339.81-$111,358.25Education:Required:Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or other law school approved by TexasSupreme CourtRequired Licensing/Certification:Licensed to practice law In TexasKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of:Poverty law policies, procedures, and practicesManagement and supervisory practicesLegal Case management systems and other Job-related software systemsSupervisory techniquesMicrosoft Office Professional or similar applicationsSkill In:Oral and written communication competency with attention to detailProblem-solving and decision-makingOutstanding leadership skillsMultitasking and time managementCoordinating work of othersPlanning activitiesAll aspects of legal representation and client relationsUnderstanding of human resource management and evaluationAnalyzing documentsLeading project.Both verbal and written communication Ability to:Work IndependentlyFacilitate communication within teams and participate effectively as a member In teamsUse Job-related software and systemsEasily Integrate new technology Into work environmentUse Job-related such as Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, document assembly programs or similarDemonstrate a commitment to the mission of ECI and Thurgood Marshall School of LawWork Experience:Required:Strong preference for applicants who have practiced law at a legal services program or nonprofit for 7 or more yearsA minimum 5 years of management experienceComputer proficiency (Word, Acrobat, Excel, etc,) and knowledge of and/or commitment to learn the Legal Server software used by many legal service providers In Texas as a client, clinic, and volunteer database for handling flies, coordinating clinics and running reportsWorking/Environmental Conditions:Routine office environment.Sitting or standing in one location much of the time.Some stooping, lifting or carrying objects fight weight may be required.UA EEO Statement:It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Manual of Administrative Policies and ProceduresOpen Until Filled (overrides close field) :YesSpecial Instructions to Applicants:Open to all applicants.