Director, Legal Services

Background:

Founded in 1978, SeniorLAW Center is a dynamic nonprofit public interest legal services organization whose mission is to seek justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community and advocating on local, state and national levels. We are the only non-profit agency in Pennsylvania wholly dedicated to providing legal assistance to older persons and protecting their legal rights, and one of few in the nation. SeniorLAW Center prioritizes services to older people who are low-income, cultural and racial minorities, the disabled, victims of crime and family violence, and those facing other vulnerabilities and challenges. We fight senior poverty, fraud and homelessness, provide protection from elder abuse and financial exploitation, enable grandparents to raise grandchildren, and improve access to justice.

Position Summary

The Director, Legal Services provides leadership to ensure that SeniorLAW Center achieves its overall mission to seek justice for older people, using the power of the law, educating the community, and advocating on local, state, and national levels. The Director, Legal Services, has general oversight of the legal team (currently consisting of over 35 attorneys and legal advocates) and the legal services of the organization. The Director must ensure effective, zealous, and excellent representation of and services to SeniorLAW Center clients, coordinating with organizational and program leaders. 

Role-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervision and Oversight Responsibilities

·         Supervise and support Project Directors/Supervising Attorneys who lead the SeniorLAW Center legal services teams of attorneys, legal advocates, and administrative coordinators.

·         Mentor and foster leadership skills in Project Directors/Supervising Attorneys.

·         Assist with oversight and support to ensure organizational compliance with funder requirements.

·         Hold regular 1-on-1 supervisory meetings with Project Directors/Supervising Attorneys and other staff as determined by the Executive Director.

·         Provide reports to Executive Director and Executive Team regarding performance of supervisees and their teams. 

·         Develop and maintain legal policies and procedures.

·         Develop and oversee training of legal policies and procedures in coordination with Directors/Supervising Attorneys and the Executive Director.

·         Lead Legal Team meetings on at least a bi-monthly basis, addressing training, compliance, and other legal staff-related issues.

·         Assist with quality control and case management data collection, as necessary.

·         Develop and oversee legal staff interview and hiring practices, including conducting interviews.

·         Develop and oversee substantive onboarding and on-going training of legal staff in coordination with the Leadership team and other project leaders.

·         Develop and oversee legal staff employee performance evaluations.

·         Lead oversight legal staff employee disciplinary matters in consultation with the Executive Team and Human Resources. 

·         Participate in Executive Team, Leadership Team, Project Management and Team meetings, Human Resources and general staff meetings, leading meetings, as necessary.

·         Work with Executive Director, Development Team, and Leadership Team to both support and provide input on client and community needs, policy advocacy and resource development needs.

·         Maintain awareness of significant local, state, and national legal and policy issues related to older people and systems which affect them, coordinating with Project leaders and Executive Director.

Client-related Duties

•       Review and analyze intake priorities for client services at least annually.

•       Handle all aspects of client representation as needed.

•       Utilize Language line or other interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults.

•       Review monthly client surveys and feedback.

•       Handle client complaints and grievances with the Executive Director and other Project leaders.

·         Assist with oversight of pro bono processes and increasing pro bono involvement.

Community Outreach, Training and Education

•       Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees, coalitions, and task forces

•       Develop and present legal education workshops and trainings to older adults, caregivers, aging networks, the legal community, and other professionals, including CLEs, on SeniorLAW Center services and other substantive issues.

•       Aid in the development of educational materials and resources.

•       Assist with review of and updates needed for the website, E-News, and other communication tools.

Other Duties:

·         Demonstrate and model zealous commitment to SeniorLAW Center’s mission, vision and values.

·         Participate in SeniorLAW Center’s culture of philanthropy and events to support the organization.

·         Assist with preparation and review of project related reports and other funder requests.

·         Assist with preparation and review of grant proposals and other fundraising endeavors, including participation in funder/donor meetings.

·         Other responsibilities to further mission of the project and organization.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

•       Juris Doctor

•       Active member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing

•       Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience as an attorney

•       Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience

•       Demonstrated commitment to serving the legal needs of low-income communities

Preferred Education and Experience:

•       Experience working with older adults

•       Experience in the legal aid community

•       Second language proficiency preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors: 

•       Significant and demonstrated management, supervisory and leadership experience in a legal organization, including supervision of attorneys

•       Strong organizational and analytical skills

•       Ability to work under pressure

•       Excellent oral and written communication skills

•       Commitment to racial justice and social equity

•       Knowledge of poverty law and practice

•       Familiarity with the legal services community and aging network

Work Conditions:

•       This job operates in a professional office environment.

•       This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Interested candidates should upload a resume, letter of interest describing their legal and leadership experience, strategy, and approach, as well as three (3) professional references. All materials should be directed to Karen C. Buck, Executive Director.   

SeniorLAW Center is an equal opportunity employer, which values and seeks diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. People from diverse backgrounds and orientations are encouraged to apply. SeniorLAW Center prohibits discrimination based on age, race, national origin, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, or familial status.