Pro Bono Counsel

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401K

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Job summary

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is seeking a Pro Bono Counsel to lead the U.S. pro bono program with a primary focus on California. The role collaborates with the Pro Bono Committee, leadership, attorneys, clients, and community partners to develop meaningful opportunities and ensure effective delivery of pro bono work.

The position emphasizes strategic priorities, staff engagement, and strong partnerships with nonprofits and legal services providers to expand access to justice.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree or equivalent experience required.
• Admission to practice in California required.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal, pro bono, public interest, program management, or related experience.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, legal services providers, law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, or similar organizations.
• Strong understanding of the California pro bono landscape and familiarity with national pro bono organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and access to justice.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic priorities for the Firm’s U.S. pro bono program, with particular emphasis on California.
• Identify significant legal and community needs and develop high-impact pro bono matters, programs, and partnerships.
• Serve as a resource to attorneys, helping identify and staff appropriate pro bono opportunities and supporting matters from intake through completion.
• Coordinate pro bono activities in California while supporting the Firm’s other U.S. offices as appropriate.
• Build and maintain relationships with legal services organizations, nonprofits, bar associations, clients, and other community partners, primarily focused on California.
• Develop opportunities for collaboration with clients and prospective clients on pro bono initiatives in California where appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Pro Bono team, engage attorneys and staff through communications, training, and other initiatives that encourage meaningful participation.
• Work with Firm leadership and the Pro Bono Committee to evaluate the program, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure resources are deployed effectively.

Skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Relationship building

Communication

Leadership

Education

J.D. degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Pro Bono Counsel. This position could be based in any of our California Offices (Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or Silicon Valley).

Orrick has a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality pro bono legal services and supporting the communities in which we live and work. The Firm encourages its attorneys to devote at least 60 hours annually to pro bono client service and recognizes pro bono work as an important part of the Firm’s culture and values.

The Pro Bono Counsel will help lead and strengthen the Firm’s U.S. pro bono program, with a primary focus on California. The Counsel will work closely with the Pro Bono Committee, Firm leadership, attorneys, clients, nonprofit organizations, legal services providers, and community partners to develop meaningful pro bono opportunities, engage attorneys, and ensure the effective delivery and impact of the Firm’s pro bono work.

Success in the Role

Success will mean strengthening our strategically focused and well-run pro bono program that creates meaningful opportunities for Orrick attorneys while delivering tangible benefits to clients and communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic priorities for the Firm’s U.S. pro bono program, with particular emphasis on California.
• Identify significant legal and community needs and develop high-impact pro bono matters, programs, and partnerships.
• Serve as a resource to attorneys, helping identify and staff appropriate pro bono opportunities and supporting matters from intake through completion.
• Coordinate pro bono activities in California while supporting the Firm’s other U.S. offices as appropriate.
• Build and maintain relationships with legal services organizations, nonprofits, bar associations, clients, and other community partners, primarily focused on California.
• Develop opportunities for collaboration with clients and prospective clients on pro bono initiatives in California where appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Pro Bono team, engage attorneys and staff through communications, training, and other initiatives that encourage meaningful participation.
• Work with Firm leadership and the Pro Bono Committee to evaluate the program, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure resources are deployed effectively.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree or equivalent experience required.
• Admission to practice in California required.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal, pro bono, public interest, program management, or related experience.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, legal services providers, law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, or similar organizations.
• Strong understanding of the California pro bono landscape and familiarity with national pro bono organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and access to justice.

Skills And Abilities

• Strong strategic, project-management, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent judgment and ability to prioritize opportunities based on impact and available resources.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys at all levels and across a large, geographically dispersed organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Practical, creative, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across offices and practice groups.
• Passion for pro bono service and commitment to achieving meaningful results for clients and communities.

Preferred Experience

Experience in a law firm pro bono program, legal services or public interest organization, California legal services organization, impact litigation, or corporate pro bono program is preferred. Experience developing multi-office or multidisciplinary initiatives is a plus.

Who is Orrick?

Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets. We are recognized globally for delivering the highest-quality legal advice and for our culture of innovation and collaboration.

The expected salary range for this position is:

• Silicon Valley and San Francisco $200,000 - $250,000
• Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, and Sacramento $200,000 - $250,000

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including

• medical, dental, vision and life;
• robust mental well-being programs;
• child, family, elder, and pet care benefits;
• short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits,
• health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan),
• flexible spending accounts,
• and a 401K program.
• This role will receive compensated time off through our Paid Time Off program and paid holidays.

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.