Interim Directing Attorney, Small Business Development

Bet Tzedek Legal Services; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles seeks an Interim Directing Attorney to lead its Small Business Development Program, advancing legal intervention and business support for small firms affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This role offers a hybrid/remote workplace designation, with primary office work and potential remote assignment depending on workload. Candidates must be located in the Southern California region and able to commute if needed.

Qualifications

• Active member of the California State Bar in good standing (required).
• Minimum 5 years of practice experience in project management, legal services, volunteer engagement, and community economic development.
• Ease with oral and written communication in both Spanish and English (highly desired).
• Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those in need (required).
• Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required).
• Demonstrated familiarity with business-related legal issues (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for program growth designed to provide critical legal intervention and other business support to small businesses.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a diverse team including administrative support, outreach specialists, and staff attorneys.
• Conduct outreach (in person or via remote technology), including know your rights trainings in low-income and immigrant communities, and communications with key audiences.
• Collaborate with Director of Pro Bono Programs to train, mentor, and place matters with pro bono attorneys and recruit law students and lawyers.
• Work with CEO and VP External Affairs to attract philanthropic support, including drafting proposals and grant reports.
• Collaborate with management to set strategic priorities, ensure quality control, and provide team leadership.
• Supervise the Low-Income Tax Clinic

Skills

Project management

Legal services

Volunteer engagement

Community economic development

Bilingual Spanish/English

Job description

For over 45 years Bet Tzedek has set the standard for innovation and excellence in poverty law. In that tradition, three years ago, Bet Tzedek launched its most recent effort to promote economic growth and equality in Los Angeles, the Small Business Development Program. Bet Tzedek now seeks an Interim Directing Attorney to lead this exciting program. By partnering with an unprecedented coalition of local governments, law firms, bar associations, and community organizations, Bet Tzedek seeks to build a support system for small businesses, particularly those devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Small Business Program unites pro bono attorneys with small businesses least likely to have access to effective legal services as they confront workplace regulations, negotiate commercial leases, apply for government relief programs, navigate compliance with health and safety orders and continue to innovate with new business ideas.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligations. Candidates must be located in the Southern California region and able to commute if needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide strategic direction for program growth designed to provide critical legal intervention and other business support to business owners otherwise least able to access equivalent resources;
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a diverse and dynamic team, including administrative support, outreach specialists, and staff attorneys;
• Conduct outreach (in person or through remote technology), including know your rights trainings in low-income and immigrant communities, and communications with key audiences, including other community organizations, government agencies, and in print, digital, and broadcast media;
• Work closely with Director of Pro Bono Programs to train, mentor, and place matters with pro bono attorneys, and to recruit law students and lawyers to join in-house Small Business volunteer team;
• Work closely with CEO and VP External Affairs to attract philanthropic support, including drafting proposals, attending site visits, tracking deliverables, and drafting grant applications and reports; and
• Collaborate with other members of our management team to set and implement strategic priorities, ensure quality control, and provide team and community leadership.
• Supervises the Low-Income Tax Clinic

QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member of the California State Bar in good standing (required);
• Minimum 5 years of practice experience in project management, legal services, volunteer engagement, community economic development (highly desired); and
• Ease with oral and written communication in both Spanish and English (highly desired).
• Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those
• who need them most (required);Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required);
• Demonstrated history of familiarity with business-related legal issues (preferred);

Note: This position is part of a special program created using designated funds; there is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond the period for which the funds are obtained.

To best serve our communities Bet Tzedek seeks a diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.

$127,000.00 - $140,000.00 (DOE)