Deputy Director

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid•Minneapolis, MN

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC), a part of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA), is seeking a full-time Deputy Director to lead and coordinate its statewide efforts. This role provides primary leadership for MDLC, represents the organization within the disability rights community and to the public, and is a member of the senior leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director. The Deputy Director will collaborate with the MDLC Legal Director to ensure efficient, strategically engaged, and culturally competent civil legal services for MMLA/MDLC’s low-income, vulnerable, and underrepresented client communities. This is a hybrid position with an office located in Minneapolis.

Requirements

Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or eligible for admission by reciprocity
Experience working with individuals with disabilities or with disability rights and advocacy
Five or more years of managerial experience
Eight or more years of legal experience
Three or more years of litigation experience
Demonstrated legal skills, including: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, Effective litigation outcomes, Proven record of effective case handling and outcomes
Previous grant management experience, especially federal grants
Interest and ability to build and advance partnerships with advocacy groups, client communities, schools, service providers, agencies, and regulatory authorities
Experience with legislative, policy, and other systemic advocacy
Ability to obtain a Level V moderate risk public trust government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management is required for the position
Access to reliable transportation, as statewide travel is required

Nice To Haves

Experience with class action litigation is a plus
Lived experience with a disability or experience as a family member of a person with a disability
Second language ability, particularly Spanish, ASL, Hmong, or Somali
Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences

Responsibilities

Provide leadership in advancing organizational goals and objectives at MDLC, including MMLA’s racial justice values, commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, and ensuring MMLA/MDLC’s work is rooted in the communities it serves
Engage and coordinate with community and legal professional partnerships and collaborations in service area to provide high quality community-based legal services
Management of MDLC grant budgets, staffing allocations, and work planning for nine federal grants, state funding, and other non-federal grants in consultation with the grants manager and fiscal/administrative staff
Work with Grants Manager to explore, vet, and apply for new grant opportunities
Lead federal audits in collaboration with Grants Manager and Director of Operations
Oversight of a federally mandated Mental Health Advisory Council for work on behalf of people with mental health disabilities, ensuring Council remains in compliance with federal law requirements
Leading MMLA Board- MDLC Oversight Committee, ensuring Committee’s membership and oversight meets federal requirements
Lead annual MDLC priority-setting process and five-year strategic plans, including shepherding it through Advisory Council, Oversight Committee, and MMLA Board approvals
Engagement with MMLA Board, including attendance at quarterly MMLA Board meetings to report on MDLC’s work
Serving on MMLA’s Management committee as the Deputy Director of the MDLC unit
Relationship-building with federal and state bench through participation on professional associations, committees, working groups, and boards
Oversee legislative policy work
Relationship-building with disability rights stakeholders
Building and maintaining relationships throughout the National Disability Rights Network, a network of disability rights advocates throughout the federal government
Sit on the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities as the MDLC representative
Supervise the MDLC Legal Director and the direct reports as assigned within MDLC
Manage a team of 20-25 attorneys and advocates
Oversee and manage law clerk program during summer session
Lead unit meetings through the year to provide training, collaboration, and discuss priority setting
Handling of client grievances pursuant to MMLA’s policies in partnership with supervisors
Oversee ethics compliance
Lead the hiring, onboarding, and orientation of MDLC staff
Performs other responsibilities as assigned