The Western Center on Law & Poverty (Western Center) invites applications and nominations for their next Executive Director. Through the lens of economic and racial justice, Western Center litigates, educates, and advocates in courts, cities, counties, the State Capital, and the public arena to secure just housing, health care, economy, and legal systems for Californians with low incomes. Throughout all this work, Western Center works to leverage their partnerships, passion, and expertise to transform systems, end poverty, and create a socially just world for today and generations to come.
Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Sacramento and Oakland, Western Center is California’s largest legal services support center. Western Center’s talented and dedicated staff of 34 are a truly statewide presence and the “go-to” team amplifying the marginalized voices of low-income Californians across a range of issues and contexts. The Center has an annual budget of just over $7.5 million and is supported by an endowment of approximately $5 million.
Organizational North Star
Western Center on Law & Poverty seeks to eliminate poverty and advance racial and economic justice by dismantling and transforming systems so all communities in California can thrive.
-WCLP Strategic Plan 2023-2025
The next Executive Director will build on the achievements of outgoing Executive Director Crystal Crawford, who deepened Western Center’s commitment to centering racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in its strategic litigation, administrative advocacy, and policy advocacy work. From advocating against state budget cuts that disproportionately impacted California’s most vulnerable populations, or defending the property rights of the unhoused, Western Center’s long-standing reputation as a trustworthy, reliable partner who represents the interests and voices of low-income Californians has been further enhanced during Crawford’s tenure. The next Executive Director is well-positioned to build and refine organizational strategy that increases this impact through Western Center’s sixth decade and beyond.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The passionate group of attorneys and scholars from California law schools that founded Western Center in 1967 sought to create a unique organization, guided by the belief that all Californians deserve the finest possible legal representation before every institution that shapes their lives.
Western Center views issues of racial and economic justice, food security and public benefits, health and mental health, housing and homelessness, and income and wealth inequality as inextricably linked, and recognizes that low-income individuals and families may be experiencing several challenges and barriers at the same time. Western Center seeks solutions across these issues, using the law to deliver critical resources to Californians, streamline disparate legal systems, and create efficiencies within public programs.
By applying a coordinated concert of tools including legislative and policy advocacy, high impact litigation, administrative advocacy, and technical assistance and education for legal services and community-based organizations in each of our priority areas, Western Center ensures that low-income Californians receive the support they are entitled to and fights for them to keep the precious assets they do have.
WESTERN CENTER COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Western Center has deep expertise in four areas of legal impact, grounded in our long history and rich collaborations. Our greatest opportunities for eliminating poverty and advancing racial and economic justice come by leveraging our strengths in these areas, while remaining flexible in our methods and near-term objectives to meet the changing needs of the community.
Financial Security
For every Californian to have a living income, access to public services, and opportunities to build wealth to surpass their subsistence needs and to thrive.
Access to Justice
To ensure Californians with low incomes are treated fairly, have legal representation, and are heard when engaged with courts, in administrative hearings, and in the Capitol.
Health Equity
For all Californians to have universal access to equitable systems that support health, including food access and security, a healthy environment, as well as health care.
Housing Equity
To establish that all Californians have access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable housing in neighborhoods of their choosing.
YOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads the Western Center on Law & Poverty and its support organization, the WCLP Endowment Foundation. At a time of unprecedented opportunity for impact, and with the support of an outstanding staff, strong and diversified financial resources, and excellent statewide relationships and reputation, the new Executive Director will be poised to implement a vision for growth and continued leadership on the critical and persistent challenges driving Western Center’s work. Specifically, they will engage with the following opportunities and challenges:
Vision & Leadership
Development & Fundraising
Team Management & Culture
Partnerships & Networks
Stewardship of Organizational Resources & Infrastructure
Board Engagement
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications listed, strong candidates will possess many of the professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences enumerated below. The Executive Director must be a courageous leader who models integrity, conviction, and clarity, with a vision to fight injustice and seek restorative action on behalf of impacted communities externally and the ability to hold space for and effectively address differences and critical conversations internally. Strong candidates will bring experience with poverty law and knowledge of both California-based and federal programs impacting low-income people and prior professional experience with legal services or community-based organizations. They also will be experienced in formulating and discussing public policy and be knowledgeable about state and federal civil rights laws. Exceptional engagement skills with communities, public entities, funders, corporations, and individual donors and partners are essential.
The target salary range for this position is $220,000 to $240,000 and comes with a generous benefits package, including leave policies, vacation, and paid December holiday office closure.
The Executive Director is expected to reside in (or be willing to relocate to) the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.
The Western Center on Law & Poverty (Western Center) invites applications and nominations for their next Executive Director. Through the lens of economic and racial justice, Western Center litigates, educates, and advocates in courts…
The target salary range for this position is $220,000 to $240,000 and comes with a generous benefits package, including leave policies, vacation, and paid December holiday office closure.
The Executive Director is expected to reside in (or be willing to relocate to) the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.
The target salary range for this position is $220,000 to $240,000 and comes with a generous benefits package, including leave policies, vacation, and paid December holiday office…
Please find more information about the Western Center on Law & Poverty here: wclp.org.
This search is being conducted by Allison Kupfer Poteet, Rachel Burgoyne, and Robert Diggs of the national search firm NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter outlining their interest, qualifications and skills that have prepared them to lead an organization committed to racial and economic justice for all low-income Californians, along with their resume, via NPAG’s website. NPAG welcomes expressions of interest, prior to applying for the position, and/or nominations submitted via this form.
Western Center is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace and strongly encourages applications from persons of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups whose background may contribute to effectively representing low-income people and underserved communities.
Please find more information about the Western Center on Law & Poverty here: wclp.org.
This search is being conducted by Allison Kupfer Poteet, Rachel Burgoyne, and Robert Diggs…