Clinical Legal Director

The Howard University; United States; On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

Howard University in Washington, DC seeks a managing attorney and legal director for the Clinical Law programs to oversee legal operations for 10 live-client clinics, improving client services, student growth, and efficiency.

Collaborating with the Clinical Law Center Director and staff, you will ensure compliance, supervise docket management, training, and external communications to elevate the clinic's impact and public service.

Qualifications

• JD degree and bar admission required.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience as attorney or legal director in a legal services organization or Clinical Law Center preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Clinical Law Center operations and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Improve policies, handbooks, procedures, systems and trainings for client outcomes and student learning.
• Support clinical faculty in docket management, pedagogy development, file management/retention, client communication, and other legal tasks.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Law Center leadership to raise client outcomes and student learning.
• Leverage university and external partnerships to benefit programs, clients and students.
• Assist with grant writing as needed and contribute to budget management.

Skills

Law practice management

Written & verbal comms

Attention to detail

Program management

Social justice focus

Education

JD degree

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to serve as the managing attorney and legal director for the Clinical Law programs at Howard University Sch ool of Law. In collaboration with the Director of the Clinical Law Center and other staff, the incumbent will manage the legal operations for 10 live-client clinics improving client services, student growth and operational efficiency.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

This position does not have any direct reports , but will work in collaboration with the Assistant Director and Program Coordinator.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include administrators, faculty, staff and students in the School of Law and other University departments. External contacts include government officials and a myriad of law affiliated institutions, agencies, and organizations, vendors, clinic clients, alumni, sponsor representatives, visitors and the general public.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Director of the Clinical Law Center and clinic staff , manage the legal operations for the Clinical Law Center, including ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, managing conflict checks and improving all systems related to law practice management.
• Improve and update all law practice policies, handbooks, procedures, systems and trainings to help improve client outcomes and student learning.
• Work with the Director of the Clinical Law Cente r and clinic staff to support all clinical faculty in docket management, pedagogy development , file management /retention client communication and other legal tasks.
• Work with the Director of the Clinical Law Center , clinic staff and clinic faculty to improve client outcomes and student learning.
• Leverage partnerships across the university and externally to benefit programs, clients and students.
• Collaborate on grant writing as needed.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director in budget management and operational tasks.
• Train faculty , staff and students on policies and procedures of the Clinical Law Center .
• Collaborate with Clinic Director and others on external communications to raise the profile of the Clinical Law Center's work.
• Collaborate with the Clinic Director on managing the Civil Rights SCOTUS moot program.
• Perform special projects and other duties assigned by Clinical Law Center leadership.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent lawyering and law practice management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in performing programmatic duties at a high level in a legal environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and deliver quality customer services.
• Ability to represent the Clinic in a professional and exceptional manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, civil and human rights, and working with a diverse group of constituencies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• JD plus at least 6 years of relevant legal experience required.
• Experience serving as an attorney or legal director in a legal services organization or Clinical Law Center strongly preferred. Experience with law practice management is also preferred.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure $115,000-$125,000