Director of Advocacy

The Director of Advocacy works collaboratively to develop and support MLSA’s advocacy efforts. The position supervises staff attorneys, builds training opportunities for staff, co-counsels with staff when appropriate, and carries out ongoing oversight of all advocacy staff. The Director of Advocacy collaborates with MLSA’s Executive Director and Deputy Director and fund development and operations staff to ensure the continued strong operations of MLSA.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support staff, including both lawyers and other advocacy professionals.

• Assist with complex and interesting cases and problems, both through direct involvement

in supervisees’ work and engaging other experienced lawyers to support MLSA’s work,

including developing the capacity of MLSA attorneys to mentor newer staff.

• Encourage and coordinate program-wide collaboration on legal issues and leadership of

broad-based advocacy initiatives.

• Coordinate and provide professional development support and training, including

supporting leadership development activities for attorneys and advocacy staff.

• Ensure that the delivery of services aligns with MLSA’s grant requirements and mission.

• Conduct regular informal check-ins and periodic formal reviews with supervisees, along

with communication and enforcement of MLSA’s policies.

• Participate in team recruitment, hiring and retention efforts.

• Support MLSA’s pro bono program, including mentoring pro bono attorneys.

• Handle a small case load of clients, as necessary.

• Oversee litigation strategy and support, including procedural and jurisdictional issues,

and approve all litigation expenses.

• Review all requests to pursue appeals, approve or deny requests, and provide litigation

support for all appeals pursued.

• Consult with staff regarding conflicts of interest and matters of professional

responsibility and ethics.

• Collaborate in the leadership of MLSA as a member of its Management Team, along with

the Deputy Director, the Director of Finance & Administration, and the Executive

Director.

• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for MLSA.

• Assist in the development and oversight of MLSA’s annual operating budget.

• Participate in fund development for MLSA, as may be related to the advocacy team or the

needs of the program.

• In conjunction with the Executive Director, plan for how technology is used to support

the provision of services to clients.

• As part of the Management Team, investigate and make recommendations regarding the

resolution of personnel issues.

Requirements and preferences

• At least ten years of experience in the civil practice of law, including complex litigation

at the state and federal levels.

• Substantial experience in poverty law issues, preferred.

• Substantial experience and success as a supportive supervisor, preferred.

• Excellent communications and motivation skills; and proven ability to work with a

diverse group of people with varying lived experience, perspectives, and expertise.

• An understanding of the experiences and needs of low-income people.

• Demonstrated commitment to zealous and comprehensive advocacy on behalf of access

to justice issues for low income people.

• Strong ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, the public,

judges, court personnel and the bar.

• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a statewide law firm.

• Ability to learn and use MLSA’s technology systems (including our case management

system, Lexis, Microsoft Suite and other supportive applications).

• Ability to travel within and without the state of Montana, including regular overnight

when required for supervision of staff or other programmatic purposes.

• Already licensed, or eligible to become licensed to practice law in Montana (minimum 5

years recent bar admission in another state).

• Basic understanding of the operations of a legal services program, preferred.

• Knowledge of the substantive legal areas affecting low income people.