Supervising Attorney – Housing & Community Economic Development

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.; Toledo (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

Loan repayment assistance for lawyers

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) seeks a Supervising Attorney for Housing & Community Economic Development to lead a multidisciplinary team and advance litigation, policy advocacy, and community‑based strategies across ABLE’s 32‑county service area in northern Ohio.

The role integrates direct legal advocacy with program leadership, mentorship, and supervision of attorneys, paralegals, and community organizers to deliver high‑quality services to low‑income residents.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney admitted to the Ohio Bar or eligible for admission.
• Demonstrated litigation and advocacy experience.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to serving low‑income individuals and communities.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, including oversight of casework, advocacy strategies, and professional development.
• Lead and coordinate litigation, policy and systemic advocacy, and community lawyering initiatives within the HCED Practice Group.
• Provide high‑quality legal representation, including litigation, negotiation, and administrative advocacy.
• Support and advance community‑based advocacy efforts, including collaboration with tenant organizations and neighborhood groups.
• Ensure integration of ABLE’s community lawyering model into all aspects of practice group work.
• Maintain a manageable caseload consistent with supervisory responsibilities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, public officials, courts, and advocacy organizations.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to organizational leadership discussions.
• Ensure compliance with ABLE policies, funding requirements, and reporting obligations.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Litigation

Policy advocacy

Community engagement

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Make Justice Your Life’s Work

At Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), we pursue justice and expand access to opportunity for people with low income through high quality legal representation and advocacy for systemic reform. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with individuals, families, and communities across Ohio to ensure their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

A Purpose-Driven Career

You will not just work on cases. You will contribute to solutions that improve systems, strengthen communities, and expand access to justice. Your work will reflect your values and lead to real results for people facing barriers to opportunity.

A Culture of Respect and Collaboration

We provide a welcoming, inclusive, and professional environment where every team member is supported. Our collaborative approach and open communication help all of us do our best work.

Opportunities for Growth and Leadership

ABLE invests in its people. We offer mentorship, training, and meaningful experience across practice areas and departments. From day one, you will be empowered to lead, contribute, and grow in ways that benefit your career and our clients.

Support for Balance and Well-Being

We believe in work that is sustainable. ABLE supports a healthy balance between personal and professional life and provides the tools and flexibility to help staff thrive.

If you are motivated by purpose, ready to grow, and committed to making a difference, we invite you to bring your talents to ABLE. Join a team where your work is more than a job. It is part of a shared mission to advance justice.

Explore current openings below and learn how you can join us.

Position: Supervising Attorney – Housing & Community Economic Development

Location: Toledo or Dayton, OH

Job Id: 373

Pos ition Available:

SUPERVISING ATTORNEY

Housing & Community Economic Development

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary

The Supervising Attorney for the Housing & Community Economic Development (HCED) Practice Group is a leadership position responsible for supervising legal staff while advancing litigation, policy advocacy, and community-based legal strategies. This role leads a multidisciplinary team including attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers in delivering high-quality legal services to low-income individuals and communities across ABLE’s 32‑county service area, with a focus on northern Ohio.

The HCED Practice Group utilizes a community lawyering model to support neighborhood residents in building healthy, economically vibrant communities. The Supervising Attorney will guide advocacy efforts that uplift client voices and partner with tenants and tenant organizations to enforce and strengthen housing laws. This position combines direct legal advocacy with program leadership, strategic planning, and staff supervision to drive meaningful, community‑centered impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned)

• Supervise and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, including oversight of casework, advocacy strategies, and professional development
• Lead and coordinate litigation, policy and systemic advocacy, and community lawyering initiatives within the HCED Practice Group
• Provide high‑quality legal representation, including litigation, negotiation, and administrative advocacy
• Support and advance community‑based advocacy efforts, including collaboration with tenant organizations and neighborhood groups
• Ensure integration of ABLE’s community lawyering model into all aspects of practice group work
• Maintain a manageable caseload consistent with supervisory responsibilities
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, public officials, courts, and advocacy organizations
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to organizational leadership discussions
• Ensure compliance with ABLE policies, funding requirements, and reporting obligations

SCOPE & IMPACT

This position plays a critical leadership role in shaping ABLE’s housing and community economic development advocacy across western Ohio. The Supervising Attorney directly impacts service delivery, staff development, and the effectiveness of systemic advocacy efforts. Through leadership of the HCED Practice Group, this role helps drive lasting improvements in housing stability and community conditions for low‑income residents.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed attorney admitted to the Ohio Bar or eligible for admission by motion or passage of the next bar examination
• Demonstrated litigation and advocacy experience
• Strong leadership, supervision, and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to serving low‑income individuals and communities

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience
• Experience in housing law, community economic development, or related practice areas
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and administrative abilities
• Prior experience supervising attorneys, paralegals, or other professional staff
• Experience with community lawyering, policy advocacy, or movement‑based legal work
• Fluency in Spanish or another language relevant to client communities

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position directly supervises attorneys, paralegals, and/or law clerks and is responsible for personnel management, mentoring, performance evaluation, and workload oversight.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in a normal office environment.
• Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face‑to‑face or phone communication.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.
• May require walking several blocks or overnight travel.
• New staff are required to work in the office full‑time during their first 90 days of employment. Following this onboarding period, a hybrid work schedule is available with a minimum of two in‑office days per week.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The starting salary for this position is $81,000.00 and increases depending on experience. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and paid parental leave. This position is based out of our Toledo or Dayton office.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitmentcoordinator at [e-mail].