Directing Attorney – Compliance Grants & Systems (Hybrid)

Community Legal Aid SoCal; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Paid holidays

Benefits package

401(k)

Job summary

Community Legal Aid SoCal is seeking a Directing Attorney to provide strategic leadership over compliance, grants management, and legal operations. The role supports data integrity, quality assurance, and the Intake & Assessment Unit, partnering with leadership to ensure equitable access to justice.

The role is full-time, hybrid, exempt, reporting to the Director of Legal Services, and requires California bar admission with extensive attorney experience.

Qualifications

• Leads compliance, QA, and risk management initiatives.
• Develops and monitors policies, procedures, and training.
• Manages grant and contract compliance and reporting obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead organization-wide compliance and risk management initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and training programs.
• Monitor regulatory changes and strengthen accountability.
• Oversee grant compliance, reporting obligations, and funding restrictions.
• Collaborate with legal, finance, and grants teams to support grant administration.

Skills

Leadership

Risk management

Compliance

Legal operations

Data governance

Education

Juris Doctor

Active California Bar

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Clio

Job description

The Directing Attorney provides strategic leadership and oversight of organizational compliance, grants management, legal operations systems, data integrity, quality assurance, and the Intake & Assessment Unit (IAU). Ensures compliance with grant requirements, funder expectations, ethical standards, and Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations while supporting effective client service delivery, risk management, and continuous improvement. Partners with organizational leadership to develop and maintain systems that promote operational excellence and high-quality legal services. This role partners closely with the other Directing Attorneys and substantive unit supervisors to ensure organizational policies, compliance standards, grant requirements, and operational systems support high-quality legal services and equitable access to justice. This is a full-time, hybrid, exempt position and reports to the Director of Legal Services.

Responsibilities:

• Lead organization-wide compliance, quality assurance, and risk management initiatives to ensure adherence to grant requirements, LSC regulations, and ethical standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, compliance reviews, audits, training programs, and corrective action plans.
• Monitor regulatory changes and emerging compliance risks, recommending improvements to strengthen organizational accountability and performance.
• Oversee compliance with grant and contract requirements, performance measures, reporting obligations, and funding restrictions.
• Partner with legal, finance, and grants teams to support grant administration, monitor outcomes, coordinate audits and site visits, and strengthen funding compliance systems.
• Establish systems to track grant deliverables, deadlines, outcomes, and reporting requirements to ensure funding objectives are met.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of legal operations, case management systems, workflows, reporting tools, and data governance practices.
• Utilize data, performance metrics, and process evaluations to improve efficiency, accountability, compliance, and client service delivery.
• Collaborate across departments to develop dashboards and reporting solutions that support informed decision-making and organizational effectiveness.
• Supervise and mentor the IAU Supervisor and other assigned staff, providing coaching, performance management, professional development, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership on strategic planning, talent management, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, and excellence in client service.
• Monitor program effectiveness, compliance, and service outcomes, implementing improvements and best practices as needed.
• Represent the organization with funders, community partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to advance organizational goals and access to justice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funding, oversight, and community partners to support program growth and organizational impact.
• Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.

Requirements

Education:

• Juris Doctor and active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience as an attorney.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing, supervising, and mentoring.
• Familiarity with grant and legal services contract management – Required.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy or other ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners – Required.
• General legal knowledge of State and Federal trial and appellate work – Preferred.
• Superior understanding of legal principles and their application, the rules of evidence, the conduct of court proceedings, civil and related codes of California, and legal research skills – Preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, Bar Associations, community partners, governmental bodies, and the Courts.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize competing tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, values diversity of thought, backgrounds and perspectives, empathetic and energetic attitude while working with others.
• Knowledge of effective training techniques for legal advocates.
• Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients.
• Proactive approach, with the ability to anticipate problems, remain solution-focused, and think quickly on their feet.
• Ability to implement organizational and grant policies and compliance guidelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suit, Clio, and other software programs.
• Previous legal aid or other non-profit organization experience – Required.
• Ability to model CLA SoCal’s values & mission.
• Work with a multi-cultural perspective

Holistic Benefits:

• May work as little as 35-hour workweek.
• A hybrid schedule.
• 16 paid holidays + PTO (including wellness days) starting Day 1
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Student loan reimbursement program
• Bilingual bonus pay for qualified staff

About CLA SoCal:

Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a welcoming and hopeful non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We provide equal employment opportunities. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities. All individuals who are seeking a welcoming environment who celebrate and value the unique characteristics of every member of the team who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.