Director of Pro Bono Program

Counties Legal Services, Inc.; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. in Riverside seeks a Pro Bono Director to lead the delivery of legal services through the pro bono program, supervise attorneys and staff, and coordinate with the Community Engagement team.

The Director will oversee partnerships with law firms and corporate partners, ensure grant compliance, develop strategic initiatives, and represent ICLS at statewide and national pro bono events.

Qualifications

• Passion for expanding access to justice, serving low-income and underserved communities in Inland Southern California.
• Experience practicing law and supervising attorneys.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices, organizational advancement, and cultural humility.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships and building projects with law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, funders, or community organizations.
• Ability to initiate, execute, and manage multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading the delivery of legal services through ICLS's pro bono program, including overseeing and directing pro bono projects and recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer attorneys and other professionals.
• Supervising the pro bono team, including attorney and non-attorney staff, with responsibility for staff training and oversight.
• Representing ICLS in local, statewide, and national pro bono initiatives and conferences.
• Working with the Community Engagement Team to recognize and celebrate corporate and law firm partners, volunteers, and community partners, including events and communications tools.
• Overseeing and directing law firm and corporate partnership strategy and fundraising opportunities.
• Overseeing the integration of pro bono throughout ICLS, including collaboration with practice groups to expand opportunities.
• Ensuring grant compliance and reporting to funders.
• Overseeing all aspects of the pro bono program, including grant writing, data collection, and program development.

Skills

Public speaking

Writing

Verbal communication

Analytical

Presentation

Collaboration

Staff supervision

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Job Title: Pro Bono Director

FLS Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Supvises: Managing Attorneys; Pro Bono Coordinators; Project Coordinators; Legal Assistants

Compensation: $127,920 - 150,800 Annually

Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking a Pro Bono Director to join the Community Engagement Team at ICLS. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income persons residing in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. ICLS targets services to seniors and those in the greatest social or economic need. Legal services are provided by attorneys, or paralegals, under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts. ICLS provides legal assistance in a variety of areas of law. ICLS has eight practice groups, including Consumer, Housing, Family and Domestic Violence, Immigration, Systemic Impact Litigation, Health, Public Benefits and Education, and Elder Law.

ICLS also has a robust pro bono program that operates six substantive programs, including Expungement, Small Business & Nonprofit, Guardianship, LGBTQ+ Services, HIV+ Services, and Disaster Preparation & Response, as well as integrates pro bono into ICLS’s other Practice Groups. The Pro Bono Program also oversees ICLS’s student programs, including a summer law clerk program and various other student internship programs throughout the year.

Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.

ICLS currently operates under a 4-day work week arrangement while maintaining full-time status. Thus, staff will work approximately 80% of hours, while getting 100% of pay. Staff can arrange their work week to the extent possible, while prioritizing client/program needs and coordinating with their practice group director and colleagues.

Overview of Position

ICLS has an immediate opening for Pro Bono Director. This position reports to the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and will work closely with other members of the Community Engagement team, which includes Communications and Outreach. The position is a Practice Group Director-level position that supervises multiple attorneys and non-attorney staff, and will work closely with other Practice Group Directors as well.

Since its founding in 1958, ICLS has grown to more than 160 employees, working to ensure access to the justice system through free civil legal services. ICLS’s Pro Bono Program utilizes volunteers to further our mission to provide high-quality legal advice, advocacy, and court representation to the people in greatest need of help. The Pro Bono Program includes a variety of volunteers, including attorneys, paralegals, law students, and other professionals to provide holistic services to ICLS clients.

The Director position is a key component of ICLS’s commitment to building a thriving Pro Bono Program. The Director will be charged with:

• Leading the delivery of legal services through ICLS's pro bono program, including overseeing and directing pro bono projects and recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer attorneys and other professionals.
• Supervising the pro bono team, including attorney and non-attorney staff, with responsibility for staff training, development, and oversight.
• Representing ICLS in local, statewide, and national pro bono initiatives and conferences.
• Working with ICLS’s Community Engagement Team to recognize and celebrate corporate and law firm partners, volunteers, and community partners, including through annual recognition events, impact reports, social media highlights, and other communications tools.
• Overseeing and directing law firm and corporate partnership strategy, relationship management, and work with ICLS’ Director of Development for fundraising opportunities.
• Overseeing and directing the integration of pro bono throughout ICLS, including collaborating with practice groups to identify opportunities for volunteer involvement and developing and expanding pro bono in additional legal service areas, including systemic and impact litigation.
• Ensuring compliance with grant requirements, including reporting to funders.
• Overseeing and directing all other aspects of the pro bono program, including grant writing, compliance, data collection, program development, and strategic initiatives.

The successful candidate is required to hold a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law.

Candidates should also possess the following qualifications:

Desired Education, Skills, and Experience

1. Passion for expanding access to justice, serving low-income and underserved communities in Inland Southern California, and ensuring all has access to the justice system.
2. Experience practicing law and supervising attorneys
3. Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices, organizational advancement, and cultural humility, including a keen eye towards applying those principles to pro bono work.
4. Demonstrated experience developing strategic partnerships, cultivating relationships, and building successful projects with law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, funders, or community organizations.
5. Demonstrated ability to initiate, execute, and manage multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
6. Strong strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and perspectives.
7. Ability to serve as an effective ambassador for ICLS with ICLS’s Board of Directors, community partners, law firm and corporate partners, funders, and the legal profession.
8. Strong writing, verbal communication, analytical, presentation, and public speaking skills, along with sound judgment and a collaborative approach.
9. Experience supervising legal staff.
10. Three to five years of experience recruiting, training, and mentoring staff, volunteers, and other professionals is preferred.
11. Reliable transportation and the ability to travel occasionally for conferences and other work-related events is required. This includes a commitment to developing meaningful relationships, partnerships, and service delivery models throughout ICLS’s service region and the southern California region.
12. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
13. Minimum of seven years of active legal practice preferred.
14. Three to five years of pro bono coordination, law firm, in-house, or management experience preferred.

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.