Chief of Litigation and Advocacy

Legal Services NYC•New York, NY

6d•$290,000 - $292,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers. LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. About Legal Services NYC Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. As the largest civil legal services provider in the country, our staff of 700 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs provides high-quality, free legal assistance to more than 100,000 New Yorkers annually. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustice and helped New Yorkers meet basic needs related to housing, income, immigration, family, education, and health. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equal opportunity for all low-income New Yorkers. Position Overview Legal Services NYC is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven Chief of Litigation and Advocacy will serve as a key member of LSNYC’s executive and senior leadership teams, will assist in determining and implementing LSNYC’s litigation and advocacy priorities, and will nurture, lead and engage in system-change-oriented litigation and advocacy initiatives designed to address the needs of our clients and to advance LSNYC’s mission. They will supervise the Legal Support Unit’s (LSU) litigation and advocacy directors, coordinate with the borough-based Directors of Litigation, and provide support to LSNYC advocates throughout the program. The Chief of Litigation and Advocacy will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and other senior management to set and advance LSNYC’s litigation and advocacy priorities in furtherance of the organization’s mission. The Chief of Litigation and Advocacy will lead LSNYC’s Legal Support Unit (LSU), which provides organization-wide litigation and advocacy leadership, coordination, supervision, training, and support, and will work closely with advocacy staff in all borough offices, as well as community partners, pro bono attorneys, public interest colleagues, and key New York City stakeholders. In this role, the Chief of Litigation and Advocacy will also support and coordinate with borough-based leadership to ensure alignment between citywide litigation strategy and local priorities, and with other LSU attorneys, is regularly called upon to engage policymakers and the media to elevate the legal needs and rights of low-income New Yorkers.

Requirements

Admitted to practice in New York State and Federal courts with at least ten years of experience in state and federal court litigation and trial practice
Depth and breadth of experience in developing and managing individual and systemic litigation and advocacy in federal and state courts
Demonstrated ability to set and execute organization-wide litigation and advocacy strategy in a complex, multi-office nonprofit environment
Experience leading, mentoring, and developing senior legal leaders and managing teams across multiple practice areas or offices
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions, including communications, development, operations, and pro bono, to advance organizational goals
Strong relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, Project Directors, Board members, policymakers, community partners, and external stakeholders
Commitment to civil liberties and racial justice advocacy
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience hiring, supporting, and retaining diverse legal talent
Demonstrated commitment to lawyering in the public interest and providing legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, and communities
Superb oral and written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal judgment
Collaborative, inclusive, and strategic leadership style, with the ability to build consensus and solve complex problems

Nice To Haves

Experience engaging with policymakers, the media, and other public audiences on issues affecting low-income communities is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Supervise the LSU-based litigation and advocacy directors and provide strategic leadership and direction for organization-wide litigation and advocacy work.
Partner with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Executive Leadership Team to set, advance, and implement LSNYC’s litigation and advocacy priorities in furtherance of the organization’s mission.
Work as a team with borough-based Directors of Litigation and advocacy staff throughout LSNYC to create and implement strategic advocacy initiatives including litigation, policy advocacy, community lawyering, and public education to advance LSNYC’s commitment to civil rights and racial justice, and to ensure alignment between citywide strategy and borough-based priorities
Build the capacity of LSNYC advocacy staff to engage in litigation and advocacy strategies necessary to effect systemic change through supervision, training, mentoring, and professional development
Approve, coordinate, monitor, and report on all of LSNYC’s complex litigation and major cases at the trial and appellate level, including litigation staffing, pro bono and other co-counseling arrangements, retention of experts, and other supports/resources as needed.
Lead or participate in affirmative and other system-change litigation efforts through all phases of litigation, including motion practice, discovery, trial, brief writing, and oral argument, as appropriate and consistent with executive-level responsibilities.
Work with LSNYC’s communications department to develop communications strategies to support advocacy efforts and elevate LSNYC’s litigation and policy agenda.
Act as a principal spokesperson for LSNYC’s major litigation and advocacy initiatives as appropriate, including engagement with policymakers, funders, coalition partners, and the media.
Create and present professional development opportunities and training for advocacy staff to help them develop their ability to issue spot, develop, and engage in systemic litigation and advocacy, policy and legislative work, and community lawyering initiatives.
Work with LSNYC’s Director of Pro Bono Services to secure and partner with pro bono attorneys in litigation cases and projects and to strengthen external partnerships that support LSNYC’s advocacy goals.
Promote LSNYC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging across litigation, advocacy strategy, supervision, and organizational culture.
Serve as a member of LSNYC’s Executive and Senior Leadership Teams and as a trusted and confidential member of LSNYC’s senior management team, contributing to organization-wide leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning.