Director of Advocacy
About The Position
Legal Aid of Western Missouri is seeking a Director of Advocacy to build the infrastructure for systemic change. This role will identify patterns of problems faced by clients, respond to them systemically, and work in partnership with the Litigation Director and leadership team. The Director will lead complex advocacy work directly, including litigation, administrative comments, agency strategy, and legislative review, while also empowering practice teams to identify and act on systemic issues. Success will be measured by the impact of the Director's work and the growing capacity of the teams to engage in systemic advocacy.
Requirements
- J.D. and admission to the Missouri bar, or eligibility to waive in or sit for the bar promptly.
- At least eight years of legal practice.
- Experience with impact or systemic litigation, including developing legal theories and strategy on matters with implications beyond a single client.
- Experience with administrative advocacy, such as rulemaking comments, agency engagement, or challenges to agency practice.
- Familiarity with the substantive areas central to our work, including housing, public benefits, consumer, immigration, and family safety.
- A demonstrated ability to build capacity through others: to convene, coordinate, and elevate colleagues' work.
- A deep commitment to Legal Aid's clients and mission.
- Understanding of the restrictions that apply to legislative and lobbying activity by Legal Services Corporation grantees.
- Knowledge of LSC funding rules and compliance.
Nice To Haves
- Direct experience in a legal aid, civil rights, or public interest setting that integrated case work with systemic advocacy.
- Established relationships with advocacy partners, co-counsel networks, or coalitions in Missouri or nationally.
- Experience mentoring or training legal staff.
Responsibilities
- Build the infrastructure for impact advocacy.
- Create and maintain a pipeline for identifying systemic issues from the daily work of offices and practice teams.
- Develop internal systems, protocols, and habits to help legal staff flag potential impact matters.
- Establish and steward relationships with co-counsel, coalition partners, and other advocacy organizations.
- Lead advocacy through the practice teams, supporting litigation strategy in coordination with the Litigation Director.
- Develop administrative advocacy, including comments on proposed rules and engagement with agency practice.
- Support legislative advocacy by responding to requests for analysis, testimony, or comment.
- Serve as a resource and mentor to attorneys and paralegals taking on systemic matters.
- Contribute to leadership discussions about advocacy focus.
- Help identify when additional advocacy staff is needed and assist in shaping and hiring for that capacity.
Benefits
- Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options
- Dental Plan
- Vision Plan
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care
- Health Savings Accounts
- Paid CLE and Bar Dues
- Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holidays
- Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
- Travel and parking reimbursement
- 401k and up to 3.5% employer match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
