Legal Director

Legal Aid of Arkansas seeks an experienced and energetic attorney and leader to serve as its Legal Director. Legal Aid provides critical civil legal services for vulnerable residents throughout Arkansas. This position will help strategically grow and direct Legal Aid’s litigation and advocacy programs to effectively address the problems of individuals and communities in poverty. The successful candidate will also provide supervision for substantive group leaders and project managers, while assuring effective onboarding and ongoing mentorship and training of staff providing direct legal services to clients.

The position, in consultation with Legal Aid’s Leadership Team, will:

·      Assist with development and deployment of a comprehensive legal needs assessment and a strategic plan informed by that assessment.

·      Lead and assist with planning an articulated strategic advocacy vision, consistent with Legal Aid’s strategic plan, and promoting methods for identifying and carrying out high quality impact litigation and policy advocacy.

·      Engage in co-counseling, coordinating, and advising on complex litigation, leading litigation teams, and evaluating alternative forums for solving issues in advance of litigation.

·      Mentor attorneys at all levels, teaching litigation strategies, and developing the litigation skills of the program’s attorneys, including assisting with the identification and approval of training needs and opportunities.

·      Collaborate work with Legal Aid’s pro bono team to involve private law firms in co-counseling/impact case acceptance as requested.

·      Contribute to ensuring compliance with legal rules and regulations.

·      Be part of the team for assuming responsibility for caseloads of departing attorneys during periods of transition, in coordination with substantive group leaders.

·      Support other program duties and functions as assigned.

The ideal candidate shall:

Be an experienced litigator, including a minimum of eight years’ experience litigating cases in state and federal court, and a history of creative and high impact advocacy and substantive expertise in legal issues impacting low-income people.

Be passionate about Legal Aid’s mission and demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income persons.

Possess significant commitment, skills, and experience in mentoring and training less-experienced attorneys.

Possess strong leadership skills and a leadership style that inspires and encourages professional growth in others.

Exhibit excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire the trust and confidence of the Legal Aid staff, Leadership Team, Board, client communities, pro bono volunteers, and the public.

Show humility in working with colleagues, clients, organizations, and the community.

Be admitted to the Arkansas Bar or eligible for reciprocity and commence the licensing process upon employment.

Application Process:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please submit a cover letter expressing your qualifications for the position and your vision for the future of Legal Aid services and litigation. In the cover letter, please explain how you think your background and experience have prepared you to serve as Legal Director based on the position details and eligibility requirements as listed herein.

Please include a resume, writing sample, a citation to and description of impact/systemic litigation previously engaged in which includes your role in the case and an explanation as to why it was significant, and contact information for four references, including one individual you supervised and one individual that supervised you.

Materials and any questions should be submitted to Allison Sehika, Director of Human Resources at asehika@arlegalaid.org.

The salary is $100,000-$140,000, depending on experience, with excellent benefits. The position may be based in Jonesboro, Little Rock, or Springdale with regular travel throughout Arkansas required.

Legal Aid of Arkansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Legal Aid of Arkansas participates in E-Verify.