Director of Advocacy

National Legal Aid & Defender Association

Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

3 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life/ADD insurance

Disability insurance

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

403b retirement plan

Vision insurance

FSA (Medical)

FSA (Dependent Care)

Transportation benefits

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

National Legal Aid & Defender Association is seeking a Director of Advocacy to provide strategic vision and operational leadership for all advocacy functions, including litigation, community-based advocacy, training, and program development. You will supervise senior attorneys, guide policy and impact litigation, and ensure compliance with funding requirements.

The role emphasizes leadership for high-quality legal services, collaboration with the management team, and development of innovative

Qualifications

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in Pennsylvania, or eligibility for admission.
Substantial experience in poverty law, public interest law, civil litigation, or related practice areas.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic leadership and program development for advocacy across the organization.
Provide supervision to managing attorneys, litigation leaders, and other legal supervisors.
Oversee litigation strategy, case review processes, and legal practice standards.
Develop quality control systems for legal services and case management.
Foster partnerships with courts, bar associations, and community organizations.
Coordinate outreach, training, and staff development in advocacy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Staff supervision

Litigation strategy

Policy advocacy

Program development

Stakeholder engagement

Legal analysis

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Advocacy is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, client-centered legal services throughout the organization. Working closely with the Executive Director and management team, the Director of Advocacy provides strategic vision, supervision, and operational leadership for all advocacy functions, including litigation, substantive legal practice, community-based advocacy, training, and program development.

Position Description

Job Title: Director of Advocacy

Reports To: Executive Director

Position Summary

The Director of Advocacy promotes excellence in legal representation, advances systemic and impact advocacy initiatives, develops innovative service delivery models, and ensures compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations and other funding requirements. The Director supervises managing attorneys and other legal staff, cultivates partnerships within the legal and client communities, and oversees recruitment, training, and supervision of legal staff.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

Collaborate with the Executive Director and leadership team to establish organizational advocacy priorities, goals, and strategies.
Provide day-to-day leadership and long-range planning for the legal services program.
Ensure that advocacy efforts address both individual client needs and systemic barriers affecting low-income communities.
Foster innovative and effective approaches to legal service delivery.
Promote the use of litigation, administrative advocacy, community education, policy advocacy, and other advocacy tools to maximize client impact.
Participate in strategic planning and organizational development initiatives.
Monitor emerging legal issues and community needs and develop responsive programmatic strategies.

Legal Advocacy and Quality Assurance

Ensure the highest quality legal representation throughout the organization.
Oversee litigation strategy, case review processes, and legal practice standards.
Provide consultation and support to attorneys on complex legal matters.
Participate in strategic, impact, or high-profile litigation as appropriate.
Encourage and support impact litigation and systemic advocacy initiatives.
Develop and implement quality control systems for legal services and case management.
Ensure compliance with PA Rules of Professional Conduct and resolve ethical questions arising from intake and case work.

Supervision and Staff Development

Supervise managing attorneys, litigation leaders, and other legal supervisors.
Oversee substantive law training, advocacy skills training, and continuing legal education opportunities for legal staff.
Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for advocacy staff.
Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development planning.
Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
Support the professional growth and leadership development of staff and interns.
Promote trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive legal services.

Intern Program Management

Lead recruitment, selection, onboarding, and supervision processes for law student interns, undergraduate interns, and externs.
Develop and maintain internship and externship partnerships with law schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.
Ensure interns receive appropriate supervision, mentoring, and work assignments.
Coordinate intern orientation, training curricula, and performance evaluations.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

Serve as an ambassador for the organization within the legal, nonprofit, governmental, and community sectors.
Build and maintain strong relationships with courts, bar associations, law schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Support community outreach, legal education, and client engagement initiatives.
Facilitate collaboration with partner organizations to improve access to justice.
Represent the organization at conferences, meetings, committees, and public events.
Encourage staff participation in community and professional leadership activities.

Compliance, Reporting, and Administration

Ensure compliance with Legal Services Corporation requirements, grant obligations, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
Collaborate with leadership staff regarding program evaluation, reporting, and performance measurement.
Review program data and outcome measures to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support grant development, funding proposals, and reporting requirements.
Assist in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices.
Participate in management meetings and organizational leadership activities.

Additional Duties

Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Minimum of 7 years of legal years of relevant legal practice experience.
Strong commitment to access to justice and serving low-income communities.
Admission to practice law in Pennsylvania, or eligibility for admission.
Substantial experience in poverty law, public interest law, civil litigation, or related practice areas.
Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience.
Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to set a clear strategic vision, identify ambitious long-term organizational priorities, lead teams through complex and evolving advocacy challenges, and effectively supervise staff with varying roles and experience levels.
Experience developing litigation strategies and overseeing complex legal matters.
Knowledge of Legal Services Corporation regulations and legal aid practice preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to set a clear strategic vision, identify ambitious long-term organizational priorities, lead teams through complex and evolving advocacy challenges, and effectively supervise staff with varying roles and experience levels.
Excellent judgment and strategic decision-making skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and focus organizational engagement where it will have the greatest impact.
Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Strong legal analysis, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to mentor and develop staff at all levels.
Experience with program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Ability to build effective partnerships with courts, bar associations, educational institutions, and community organizations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and case management technologies.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
Ability to travel throughout the service area and attend meetings, trainings, and community events.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in a Legal Services Corporation-funded program.
Experience with impact litigation, policy advocacy, or systemic reform initiatives.
Experience supervising interns, fellows, or volunteer attorneys.
Grant management, compliance, or program evaluation experience.
Bilingual proficiency relevant to the client community.

Working Conditions

Hybrid work environment with required in-office presence of at least two days per week, and more as needed.
Regular travel throughout the service area for court appearances, community meetings, outreach activities, trainings, and partnership development.
Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to attend community events, trainings, board meetings, or organizational functions.
Ability to participate effectively in both in-person and virtual meetings and supervision activities.

Neighborhood Legal Services Benefits Include