Director, LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

11h • $170,000 - $175,200

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society is hiring a Director for its LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative. The Initiative works across the Criminal Defense, Civil, and Juvenile Rights practices to identify complex issues involving sexual orientation and gender identity and expression equity, and to support staff in providing competent direct legal services. It addresses systemic oppression affecting LGBTQ+ people, especially communities of color, through research, policy advocacy, impact litigation, community engagement, and strategic communication.

The Director will lead strategic advocacy and law reform, including developing plans and pursuing policy and legislative advocacy, impact litigation, and public education. The role also leads staff training and technical assistance, supports clients and staff, and supervises the Legal Aid Society’s Name Change Clinic with The Ali Forney Center. The Director builds and maintains community and government partnerships, represents the organization publicly, oversees research and data-informed communications, and manages and develops the unit’s team.

The ideal candidate is an experienced litigator, strategist, and advocate with deep knowledge of legal, policy, and social issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, particularly at the intersections of race, gender, poverty, immigration status, disability, and other marginalized identities. The role calls for experience leading complex litigation, policy campaigns, and broad advocacy initiatives; managing multidisciplinary teams; and cultivating relationships with community organizations, elected officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders. The Director should center impacted communities and advance evidence-based advocacy and systemic change.

The position requires admission to the New York State Bar, at least seven years of legal experience, including at least five years of complex strategic litigation experience in state and federal courts involving constitutional, civil rights, or civil liberties issues. The successful candidate will have experience practicing law through LGBTQ+ and racial justice frameworks, legal training and education, public speaking, and work with underserved communities and grassroots organizing. The Legal Aid Society offers a salary range of $170,000–$175,200 and benefits including health insurance, paid vacation, disability insurance, and life insurance. The position is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and may qualify for other state and federal loan forgiveness programs.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• At least 7 years of legal experience, including at least 5 years of complex strategic litigation in state and federal courts involving constitutional, civil rights, or civil liberties issues.
• Experience practicing law, including litigation, through an LGBTQ+ and racial justice-centering framework.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and exceptional public speaking ability and experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-discrimination law.
• Experience working with underserved communities and grassroots community organizing.
• Significant experience in legal training and education.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to foster constructive, collegial relationships with colleagues.
• Commitment to exploring alternative approaches to legal practice.
• Commitment to and experience building networks and partnerships with people of color-led LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and ability to work within and value a collaborative team model.
• Ability to work with pro bono lawyers and volunteers.
• Ability to schedule, assign, and manage work; assess work processes and outcomes; gather relevant information; recommend alternatives; and elevate issues as needed.
• Ability to clarify roles and responsibilities, delegate tasks, hold people accountable, create communication plans, and provide meaningful performance feedback, including addressing difficult conversations and sensitive employee issues.
• Ability to pursue continuous learning about systemic oppression and establish equitable, inclusive team norms and management practices.
• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society’s mission and values, including equal justice for New Yorkers, confidentiality, integrity, respect, and productive working relationships.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required.
• Knowledge and experience with The Legal Aid Society’s client base and LGBTQ+ legal issues will receive favorable consideration.
• Experience in policy work involving LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice issues will receive favorable consideration.
• A deep understanding of intersectionality and its relationship to structural oppression will receive favorable consideration.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Law Reform Units in the Civil, Juvenile Rights, and Criminal Defense practices to identify issues for impact litigation and oversee and support those efforts.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan addressing systemic issues affecting Legal Aid’s LGBTQ+ clients, including policy advocacy at city, state, and federal levels, impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education.
• Build coalitions with community and government mobilization efforts to effect policy change.
• Lead training for Legal Aid staff on holistic representation of LGBTQ+ clients using a cultural humility perspective, and develop internal training materials.
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns regarding LGBTQ+ issues and support staff representing LGBTQ+ clients.
• Supervise Legal Aid’s Name Change Clinic with The Ali Forney Center.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, legislators, and courts.
• Develop advocacy and public education materials for community outreach and media campaigns, and represent the organization through speaking engagements, media appearances, conferences, and public forums.
• Collect and analyze data on LGBTQ+ issues and use research and data to support media, advocacy, education, and external materials.
• Schedule employee hours, assign and delegate work, approve time off and remote work requests, and apply organizational policies and procedures.
• Supervise direct reports, set performance standards, provide feedback and coaching, issue discipline when needed, and identify training and development opportunities.
• Establish and document roles, responsibilities, procedures, and accountability practices; resolve employee conflicts and complaints with Human Resources guidance; and lead organizational and culture change for the unit.
• Attend management meetings, participate in management training, complete mandatory training, and engage in continuous professional development.
• Continuously learn about workplace bias and support an inclusive work environment; perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other state and federal loan forgiveness programs; New York residents may be eligible for state loan repayment assistance depending on years of practice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed