Associate Director

Lawyers for the Creative Arts; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Director to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in enhancing the organization's capacity to deliver essential legal services and educational programs to artists and arts organizations. The ideal candidate will bring extensive legal expertise, particularly in nonprofit and intellectual property law, while also demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the arts community by supporting fundraising efforts and engaging with diverse stakeholders. If you have a passion for the arts and a desire to contribute to a meaningful mission, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

401(k)

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Vacation Benefits

Qualifications

• 6+ years of legal employment with experience in intellectual property and nonprofit law.
• Strong interest in arts and experience in community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Enhance LCA’s capacity across all areas of staff responsibility.
• Support fundraising efforts and assist in grant writing.
• Represent LCA at external events and engage with community stakeholders.

Skills

Legal Expertise

Organizational Skills

Relationship-Building Skills

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Fundraising Experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

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The Associate Director (AD) is a new position at LCA, created at a time when LCA’s output of programs and services is at an all-time high. The AD will be a generalist, collaborating with the Executive Director (ED) and the rest of LCA’s small staff to add creativity, capacity, and resources for all ongoing programs and activities. The AD reports to the Executive Director.

The position is open as of April 24, 2025, and we are now accepting applications and scheduling interviews. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Send letter of introduction and CV with references to [e-mail], reference “AD Position”.

Background of Lawyers for the Creative Arts

LCA is the brainchild of a group of attorneys devoted to legal services and passionate about the arts. In 1972, they recognized that artists and arts managers lacked access to pro bono legal services in the specialized areas of arts law. The mission in 1972 is still our mission today: to “nourish the creative spirit” by enlisting the voluntary support of legal and business professions in providing quality, free legal assistance and other support programs for artists and arts organizations across the State of Illinois. We believe, and our history proves, that this support helps to strengthen and sustain arts businesses so they can contribute to our vibrant and world class culture.

Over the years, LCA has grown significantly, now handling 900+ legal applications, presenting 90+ educational programs, and hosting free CLE programs for legal professionals. We are especially proud of our assistance during crises in the arts – the most recent example being our Covid-related programs. Our programs have garnered awards and praise from other arts organizations, trade journals, and foundations.

Specific Programs and Services

For more than 50 years, our core Legal Services program has successfully responded to a constant flow of applications by artists and arts managers seeking pro bono legal representation. Our clients come to us with legal issues covering all areas of traditional Arts Law, and we also handle business law matters such as general contract, landlord tenant, nonprofit, employment and unemployment, and more. See our website for additional information. (law-arts.org/application)

Our LawSmarts Programs supplement our free legal services by providing seminars, clinics, and workshops on a large range of subjects needed by those in the arts. (See our website at: law-arts.org/seminars). In 2024, we presented LawSmarts programs to over 3,000 individual artists and managers of arts organizations.

LCA’s Video Law Library is a corollary of our LawSmarts programs, except these programs focus on attorneys. The 26 videos in the VLL are a resource for attorneys who want to represent arts clients, but lack experience in the more specialized legal issues in the arts. These highly focused tutorials are CLE-accredited and are offered free to all.

Staff Structure. In addition to the ED, LCA’s staff consists of full-time directors of Legal Services, Programs, and Operations as well as part-time Program Consultant and Community Outreach Coordinator.

Other Support Activities. LCA is financially supported by lawyers, other arts enthusiasts, law firms, foundations, and State and local governmental agencies. Our Governing Board consists of 28 directors and an Honors Council of 18 members. We encourage newer lawyers to become active with LCA through our Associates Board that numbers 57 members. We present a popular Benefit Luncheon in the Fall, which both celebrates the arts and solicits sponsorships amounting to more than one-third of our budget.

Job Responsibilities for the Associate Director

The Associate Director will enhance LCA’s capacity across all areas of staff responsibility, frequently collaborating with colleagues to address evolving needs. Primary responsibilities include:

Legal Services . The AD will contribute their legal expertise to support LCA’s Legal Services program by:

• Representing LCA’s Legal Services program at in-person events with law firms and legal partners,
• Strategizing improvements to the intake and referral process,
• Assisting with application review and case placement during high-volume periods or staff absences, and
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with volunteer referral attorneys.

LawSmarts Educational Programs . The AD will bring legal and nonprofit insight to LCA’s LawSmarts series by:

• Attending and recommending improvements to existing programs,
• Collaborating with the Director of Programs to develop new offerings, and
• Promoting LawSmarts events to new audiences and communities across the State.

Fundraising . The AD will support all aspects of LCA’s fundraising efforts, including:

• Assisting in grant writing,
• Participating in planning of LCA’s annual Benefit Luncheon, and
• Supporting donor engagement and cultivation efforts.

Community Engagement & Outreach . The Associate Director will help represent LCA at external events and among key constituencies, including:

• Board members and governing committees,
• Law firms, volunteer attorneys, and bar associations, and
• Nonprofit arts organizations and community stakeholders.

Job Requirements of Associate Director

We seek an individual with the ability to rapidly become a colleague in a small, but highly productive staff who value new ideas. We believe transparency and collegiality are essential to an enjoyable work environment and to achieving the best results for our arts community.

While we have some flexibility in the job requirements, we regard the following as important, if not absolutely essential:

• Legal employment of at least six years post-law school, with some experience in intellectual property, non-profit, general corporate law,
• Team player with excellent organizational and relationship-building skills,
• Passion for, or at least strong interest in, the arts. Artistic ability is not necessary,
• Background of volunteering in the arts, nonprofit, or other social causes,
• Skill in engaging with individuals from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds, and
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tell our story externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.

Starting salary is >$100,000 and is otherwise based on qualifications and experience. Compensation includes 401(k), 50% of health insurance premiums, and PTO and vacation benefits comparable to that offered by similar organizations.

LCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value candidates with lived experience in the communities we serve. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other identity factors.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Legal Services

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