SLC SEEKS TO HIRE A NEW FULL-TIME ATTORNEY POSITION OF PRO BONO DIRECTOR
Southern Legal Counsel Invites Applicants for Pro Bono Director
Location: Gainesville, FL (statewide and some national travel required)
Position: Pro Bono Director (Full-time)
Overview
Southern Legal Counsel (SLC) seeks an attorney for a newly established position of Pro Bono Director at SLC. The Pro Bono Director will work closely with SLC’s Executive Director, Litigation Director and a Guiding Coalition to establish best practices for and launch a new Pro Bono Impact Team. The Team will be a unique model in Florida with a cadre of lawyers and law firms that are committed to co-counseling with SLC in high impact cases.
SLC is a Florida statewide non-profit public interest law firm that is committed to the ideal of equal justice for all and the attainment of basic human and civil rights. We use the power of the law to obtain positive social change, reform systems and institutions, strike down unjust laws and policies, and hold government accountable to the people. Our strategies include litigation, policy advocacy, and training and technical assistance to lawyers, lay persons and organizations. SLC has pioneered innovative legal strategies that have had broad impact.
SLC is a general focus public interest law firm and we retain the flexibility to work in areas of unmet need and fill the gaps in the justice system in Florida to ensure equal justice for all. Primary areas of focus for 2019 include the following projects and areas:
Ending Homelessness: A statewide project to remove legal barriers to ending homelessness and to protect the civil and human rights of homeless persons and advocates.
Transgender Rights: A statewide project to address systemic barriers to economic opportunity and housing stability for transgender individuals. This project includes our statewide Transgender Identification Initiative to provide resources and assistance in updating name and gender markers on vital documents through community education clinics and an online website currently under construction (www.updatenamegender.org).
Community Integration for Persons with Disabilities: A statewide systemic reform project to ensure persons with disabilities can remain in the community instead of being unnecessarily confined to institutions.
Children’s Rights: A statewide project to reform the quality of Florida’s public education system and ensure all children have access to services necessary to gain a benefit from their education. This project also focuses on education as a necessary intervention to build resilience for children experiencing trauma and to provide supportive behavioral services to prevent institutionalization and incarceration. Some cases come from SLC’s Healthy Kids Medical-Legal Partnership at the University of Florida’s Severe Asthma Clinic.
Equal Rights Amendment: SLC is collaborating with grass roots advocates and media consultants around the U.S. to achieve the ratification of the ERA to become the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and to ensure it is effective and enforced.
Responsibilities (commensurate with experience and demonstrated skill level)
• Work with Guiding Coalition to develop formal pro bono program
• Recruit, vet, train, retain and recognize pro bono attorneys
• Meet with potential attorneys and law firms around state and nationally
• Co-counsel cases with pro bono attorneys as appropriate
• Supervise and manage the legal work of law clerks and undergraduate interns
• Represent SLC in public communications and at conferences and other events
• Participate on relevant bar associations, task forces and coalitions
• Work with SLC Board and staff to develop a long-range pro bono strategic plan
• Manage Pro Bono project
• Submit cases and other items on Pro Bono Matters website
• Track data relevant to pro bono project
• Other duties as may be assigned to support organization’s work
Qualifications
• Admission to practice law in any state in the U.S., with preference to Florida. If not admitted to The Florida Bar, must be willing to sit for the next Bar exam
• 3 years minimum experience preferred
• Experience with legal case management software preferred
• Strong academic background
• Excellent research, writing, analytic, and investigative skills
• Persuasive oral communications skills for wide variety of audiences
• Ability and willingness to travel around the state and out-of-state
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the mission of SLC
• Creativity in developing innovative legal strategies to address needs of clients
• Strong leadership skills
• Proven project management and organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Ability to work collaboratively and in team settings
• Cultural competency to work with diverse communities
• Desire for continued professional development (SLC commits to provide)
Compensation
SLC offers a salary which is comparable to other public interest law firms in the area and will be set in accordance with SLC’s Attorney Salary Scale. SLC also provides a benefits package which includes health insurance, short and long term disability insurance, life insurance, cafeteria plan, and a generous leave policy. SLC staff may make contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan administered by organization. Staff attorneys also may be eligible to apply for law school loan repayment assistance through The Florida Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).
How to Apply
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, original legal writing sample, copy of law school transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable), and contact information for three references to slc@southernlegal.org. Please indicate “SLC Pro Bono Director” in the email subject line. and indicate in the cover letter where you learned of this job posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity
Southern Legal Counsel is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We consider all applications equally from applicants of any race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, or national origin.