Unit Director, Client Access & Pro Bono

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.

Community Engagement and External Partnerships

• 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.

Intake and Coordinated Service Delivery

• 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.

Self-Help and Access to Justice Oversight

• 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.

Pro Bono and Volunteer Engagement

• 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.

Organizational Leadership

• 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:

• 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.