Senior Director, Litigation Strategy

Miami-Dade Bar; Richmond, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 188,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation reimbursement

Hybrid work model

10% location premium for DC office

Job summary

The Southern Environmental Law Center seeks a Litigation Strategy Director, a senior leader responsible for strategy, standards, and professional development that keep SELC’s litigation among the best in the country. This full-time, exempt role offers hybrid work with relocation support and offices across several states.

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director leads institution-wide litigation strategy, mentoring attorneys, and coordinating with partners and clients to advance

Qualifications

• Ten+ years of litigation experience, including substantial first-chair responsibility in complex civil litigation, through trial and appeal.
• Active license to practice law in one of SELC’s six states or Washington, D.C.
• Expertise in administrative law, civil procedure, remedies, and professional responsibility.
• Strong judgment in high-stakes litigation decisions, including when to file, settle, or appeal.
• Proven ability to develop litigators, including junior attorneys, into effective lead counsel.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients, colleagues, partners, and external audiences.
• Willingness to travel to SELC offices and other locations as needed.
• Commitment to an equitable and inclusive workplace across the region.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Chief Program Officer to integrate litigation into program plans and advocacy.
• Advise teams on litigation strategy, significant filings, and critical proceedings.
• Approve major litigation decisions, oversee approvals, and guide test case development.
• Identify emerging legal developments and advise on risks in coordination with General Counsel.
• Supervise and mentor attorneys to build sound judgment and advocacy skills.
• Set priorities for litigation training and foster a culture of legal excellence.
• Assess litigation capacity and advise on hiring senior litigators as needed.
• Coordinate strategy with national and regional partners and manage relationships with clients and externals.
• Represent SELC’s litigation work to donors, press, and the public.

Skills

Litigation experience

First-chair responsibility

Communication skills

Travel flexibility

Judgment in high-stakes litigation

Education

Active license to practice law in SELC states/DC

Job description

The Southern Environmental Law Center seeks a Litigation Strategy Director, a senior leader responsible for strategy, standards, and professional development that keep SELC’s litigation among the best in the country. This full-time, exempt role offers hybrid work with relocation support and offices across several states.

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director leads institution-wide litigation strategy, mentoring attorneys, and coordinating with partners and clients to advance