Director of Advocacy
About The Position
Legal Aid of Western Missouri is seeking a Director of Advocacy to build and lead systemic advocacy efforts. This role is designed to address recurring problems identified through client cases by developing strategies beyond individual case representation. The Director will work closely with the Litigation Director and serve on the leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director. This position involves both direct advocacy on complex issues (litigation, administrative comments, legislative analysis) and building the organization's capacity for sustained systemic advocacy through practice teams and internal systems. Success will be measured by the impact of the Director's work and the increased ability of the teams to undertake 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.
Nice To Haves
- Direct experience in a legal aid, civil rights, or public interest setting that integrated case work with systemic advocacy.
- A working understanding of the restrictions that apply to legislative and lobbying activity by Legal Services Corporation grantees.
- 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, including creating a pipeline for identifying systemic issues and developing internal systems and protocols for legal staff.
- Establish and steward relationships with co-counsel, coalition partners, and other advocacy organizations.
- Lead advocacy through practice teams, supporting litigation strategy development in coordination with the Litigation Director.
- Develop administrative advocacy, including comments on proposed rules and engagement with agency practices.
- Support legislative advocacy by responding to requests for analysis, testimony, or comment from legislators or legislative bodies.
- Serve as a resource and mentor to attorneys and paralegals taking on systemic matters.
- Contribute to leadership discussions on advocacy focus areas.
- Help identify needs for additional advocacy staff and assist in hiring.
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
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
