Advocacy Director

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) seeks a progressive leader with a commitment to justice for all and to inclusive communities, an interest in boldly pursuing results for clients, and a strong vision for the future of legal services, to serve as its Advocacy Director. ABLE is a nonprofit law firm established over 50 years ago to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities have the same access to justice as people and companies that can afford to retain an attorney. ABLE and its partner law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), are the only law firms available for comprehensive legal representation in non-criminal matters for more than 425,000 people living, working, and raising their families in poverty in Northwest and West Central Ohio. ABLE advocates for – and with – financially disadvantaged individuals and communities to effectuate just and equitable policy changes that address the structural causes of poverty and to protect their right to fairness and justice in the legal system.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Advocacy Director is responsible for the success of ABLE’s advocacy efforts, including the firm’s major litigation and other advocacy. A critical part of this success is the development and implementation of a firm-wide work plan that implements the Joint Strategic Advocacy Initiatives, effectively and strategically responds to the most critical needs of clients, incorporates and implements grants and contracts, and makes effective use of staff resources. The Advocacy Director also is responsible for the professional development of attorney and paralegal staff and for overall legal staff training and development.

The Advocacy Director is expected to work on site from ABLE’s Dayton or Toledo, Ohio office at least 3 (three) days a week.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

The Advocacy Director will lead a team of attorneys to change systems that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice in the practice areas of education, housing and community economic development, agricultural workers’ rights, immigration, and healthcare and public benefits. The Advocacy Director works with advocates to develop litigation and advocacy designed to have a deep and lasting impact on communities and create equity and justice. This position will set a strategic vision for ABLE’s legal work, align our advocacy around strategic goals, and oversee the execution of advocacy frameworks and strategies. We aim to uplift client voices in our advocacy, utilizing community and movement lawyering, litigation, policy advocacy, individual legal services, and community organizing.

In addition to guiding the work of attorneys and practice groups, the Advocacy Director has major management responsibilities within the firm. If you want to use your legal skills to challenge the policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice and lead a team of similarly motivated staff, then we encourage you to apply.

The Advocacy Director will:

• Supervise the firm’s managing attorneys and support them in leading their teams.
• Upgrade and oversee litigation-related policies and procedures to buttress the advocacy infrastructure.
• Work with the Executive and Deputy Directors regarding organizational priorities and resource allocation for programmatic work.
• Serve as a conduit for collaboration between legal teams and with administrative departments.
• Organize legal staff training and professional development; provide guidance and engage in litigation/advocacy for coverage, support, and training purposes.
• Provide leadership, problem solving, and thought partnership for advocates and other leaders in the firm.
• Lead collaborative efforts with other organizations and partners working with our client communities, including close collaboration with an LSC funded non-profit law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) and other programs in Ohio.
• Build relationships and collaborate with national and state advocacy groups and support centers.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES OF THE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

A successful candidate will have all or most of the experience below or demonstrated comparable skills and responsibilities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Legal Leadership Experience

You bring at least eight years of litigation, trial, and advocacy experience, and possess excellent legal, analytical, administrative, teamwork, and communications skills. You have demonstrated experience in big picture thinking, considering multiple perspectives, and aligning strategy to long-term goals. You have experience using a mix of legal and advocacy strategies to effect systemic change. You are adept at managing people and processes and driving complex legal initiatives and projects to resolution. You possess a strong understanding of and demonstrated experience with litigation, legal writing, oral argument, and other legal tools, including experience leading litigation teams. A J.D. is required and active membership in the Ohio bar or ability to be admitted by motion or temporary certification required. Admission to practice in federal court required. Federal civil rights litigation experience highly preferred.

Ability to Manage a Team

You have at least five years of supervisory experience, strong management skills, and demonstrated ability to manage high-performing teams. You know how to lead a team of passionate legal advocates, navigate conflict, and work within an organization to set a vision and execute it effectively. You know how to achieve your goals in collaboration with others and are skilled at nurturing talent and supervising staff. Experience managing litigation-related funding sources and budgeting processes required.

Strong Relationship Builder

You are adept at building and maintaining strong, transformative relationships both within and outside of the organization. You are comfortable working across lines of difference including race, gender, and class among other dimensions of identity and you are effective at surfacing shared values of individuals, groups, and communities, and leveraging that understanding to forge (where possible) investment and consensus. You can build trust and credibility with people from varied backgrounds that allows you to build productive relationships and partnerships. You have a demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues, and a desire to engage in shared leadership and decision-making. You have the ability to relate well with clients living in poverty. The ability to communicate fluently in Spanish is valued at ABLE. Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills is preferred. Prioritization of self-care and a willingness to take breaks and vacations preferred.

Experience with Core ABLE Issues

You demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, racial equity, and justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities. You have expertise or experience within ABLE’s core issue areas. Previous experience in legal services, local and state policy advocacy, advocacy experience using a race equity lens, working with directly impacted community groups, and familiarity with community lawyering preferred. Candidates need to bring a strong commitment to excellence and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment.