Job Details

Security Sensitive Position?:

Yes

Hours Of Work

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM M-F

Posting Number

TSU203506

Official TSU Title

Legal Services Director

Grant Title

n/a

Job Description Summary / TWC Summary

JOB SUMMARY:The Earl Carl Institute at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law seeks a creative and highly experienced Legal Services Director who will work with the Executive Director and lead senior staff to shape and guide the program's delivery of high-quality legal services to traditionally disenfranchised and underserved communities.POSITION OVERVIEW:The Legal Services Director provides leadership to ensure that The Earl Carl Institute achieves Its overall mission to provide legal assistance to BIPOC and other traditionally disenfranchised populations. The Legal Director Is responsible for facilitating quality delivery of legal services. The Legal Services Director leads, manages, and supports legal personnel consisting of advocacy directors and managing attorneys who provide direct client representation and serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in major litigation, including class action lawsuits. The Legal Services Director also provides public policy analysis and testimony. The Legal Services Director ensures grant compliance. The Legal Services Director works closely with and reports to the Executive Director to lead strategic planning to ensure that the program Is addressing the most significant barriers. Also, while working with the Executive Director, this position focuses on establishing, and Implementing the programmatic vision for the organization's legal work, recognizing the various and Inter-related tools that a quality, impactful legal nonprofit must employ for meaningful community engagement, client counseling, litigation, permissible policy advocacy, and strategic use of media.

Essential Duties Summary

Leadership Responsobilities:

• Day-to-day leadership and oversight of ECl's legal work and legal team members
• Participates In regular case reviews with all attorneys
• Conducts annual Job performance reviews and assists with the development of professional development plans with team members
• Oversees orientation and training of new team members
• Updates client services manual and oversees the efficiencies and effectiveness of the ECI Case Management System and case handling procedures.
• Reviews and responds to complaints regarding Intake and case services
• Oversees the TMSL Student Pro Bono Program and Public Interest Certification
• Reviews timesheets and expense reports of legal team members.
  
  

Community Involvement And Systemic Advocacy

• Organize, design and lead CLE training sessions on various subject matters of law that ECI currently works on
• Participates In local, state, and national councils, boards, committees, etc. to address Identified program Issues and concerns
• Cultivates and maintains collaborative working relationships with other agencies and organizations working on similar projects
• Work collaboratively with funders and other partner organizations being funded by the same funders as ECI
• Serve on various external committees and task forces relevant to legal services
• Participates In projects that address systemic Issues which fall under program areas of work
• Provides public policy analysis and testimony as needed and provides education to applicable state departments, the state legislature and other entitles Involved with individuals that have been traditionally marginalized or underserved
• Collaborates with the Community Engagement team as needed to develop content for newsletter articles, social media, annual report, and other publications as well as live and recorded video and audio content
• Oversees special projects such as Community Legal Advocate Program and HALO Initiative
• Performs related tasks consistent with skills and abilities and general responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.
  
  

% FTE:

1.0

Hiring Range

$87,339.81-$111,358.25

Education

Required:

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school or other law school approved by TexasSupreme Court

Required Licensing/Certification

Licensed to practice law In Texas

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Poverty law policies, procedures, and practices
• Management and supervisory practices
• Legal Case management systems and other Job-related software systems
• Supervisory techniques
• Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications
  
  

Skill In

• Oral and written communication competency with attention to detail
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Outstanding leadership skills
• Multitasking and time management
• Coordinating work of others
• Planning activities
• All aspects of legal representation and client relations
• Understanding of human resource management and evaluation
• Analyzing documents
• Leading project.
• Both verbal and written communication
  
  

Ability to:

• Work Independently
• Facilitate communication within teams and participate effectively as a member In teams
• Use Job-related software and systems
• Easily Integrate new technology Into work environment
• Use Job-related such as Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, document assembly programs or similar
• Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of ECI and Thurgood Marshall School of Law
  
  

Required

Work Experience:

• Strong preference for applicants who have practiced law at a legal services program or nonprofit for 7 or more years
• A minimum 5 years of management experience
• Computer proficiency (Word, Acrobat, Excel, etc,) and knowledge of and/or commitment to learn the Legal Server software used by many legal service providers In Texas as a client, clinic, and volunteer database for handling flies, coordinating clinics and running reports
  
  

Working/Environmental Conditions

• Routine office environment.
• Sitting or standing in one location much of the time.
• Some stooping, lifting or carrying objects fight weight may be required.
  
  

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Close Date

09/03/2025

Open Until Filled (overrides Close Field)

No

Special Instructions To Applicants

Open to all applicants.#J-18808-Ljbffr