Directing Attorney
Posted on: May 11, 2013Posted by: California Rural Legal Defense
DESCRIPTION
California Rural Legal Assistance needs an exceptionally dedicated full time regular Directing Attorney to manage the Santa Maria office. It is an ideal job for an experienced managing attorney who wants to join an effective, dynamic team working to make systemic change.
Reporting to the Executive Director and the Deputy Director, the CRLA Directing Attorney is responsible for the overall provision of legal services to the low income client community in the service area and the day to day operations of the local field office. This includes supervising, training and motivating local office staff to provide the highest quality legal services in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain an active caseload which consists of state and federal trial and appellate work.
- Supervise the activities of the CRLA local office staff attorneys, community workers and support staff in providing legal service to low income clients and client groups including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy in accordance with CRLA priorities and case handling policies.
- Ensure that staff in the local office has accurate, timely, and complete information about the legal issues within the local office's scope of responsibility, including training in their basic office responsibilities.
- Evaluate staff on an annual basis including the identification of training needs to be incorporated into the office's six month work plan.
- Cooperate with the local office Director of Litigation, Advocacy and Training in the creation and implementation of the six month work plan.
- Encourage advocate staff to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and to act as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
- Conduct weekly case review meetings to ensure that legal services provided are consistent with CRLA priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client service.
- Ensure that legal services provided are in compliance with LSC regulations, IOLTA requirements and the requirements of other grants to CRLA and the local office.
- Supervise staff in setting up local community education opportunities relating to legal rights and supervise the preparation of materials for these presentations.
- Act as liaison with the local community advisory board including setting up meetings, sending reports to the CRLA Board of Directors and working with the local board to identify annual office priorities.
- Cooperate with the Human Resources Department to ensure that all hires are completed in accordance with CRLA policies and procedures.
- Counsel and coach staff in performance, enlisting Human Resources as needed in cases where discipline is required.
- Cooperate with the Accounting Department in enforcing fiscally sound office procedures and ensuring a clean annual audit.
REQUIREMENTS
- Admitted to practice law before the court of any state.
- Admitted to practice law in the State of California or willingness to take the next California Bar Exam.
- Three years minimum experience managing law office and staff, preferably in a non-profit legal services environment.
- Three years minimum litigation experience, preferably in a non-profit legal services environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
SALARY: $42,000 - $67,500 based upon bar admission date, plus management bonus.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply send a resume with letter of applications to: hr@crla.org
E-mail attachments in Word only, or copy and paste cover letter and resume into body of e-mail. Include "DA – Santa Maria" in subject line of e-mail.
E-mail attachments in Word only, or copy and paste cover letter and resume into body of e-mail. Include "DA – Santa Maria" in subject line of e-mail.
WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
CRLA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
