Director of Pro Bono

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$130,000 - $165,000

About The Position

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law. Public Counsel has a full-time staff of over 160. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms. POSITION OVERVIEW Reporting to the Vice President, Chief Advocacy Officer, the Director of Pro Bono leads Public Counsel’s nationally recognized pro bono program and plays a central role in strengthening the organization’s ability to serve clients through strategic partnerships with the private bar. This is a senior, highly relational leadership role designed for a technologically savvy pro bono professional with significant experience managing programs at law firms, corporate legal departments, or large nonprofits. The Director will cultivate and sustain deep relationships with law firm partners, corporate counsel, bar associations, and other professional organizations, ensuring that pro bono placements are both strategic and impactful. The Director works closely with Directing Attorneys and staff across Public Counsel’s legal teams to coordinate pro bono efforts, optimize volunteer engagement, and ensure alignment with organizational advocacy priorities. The Director supervises the two-member Pro Bono team and collaborates closely with Development, Grants, Communications, and IT teams to elevate the visibility, impact, and sustainability of pro bono partnerships.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of any state bar
At least 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, including managing or coordinating pro bono programs in law firms, corporate legal departments, academic settings, or large nonprofits
Public interest experience either through employment at a nonprofit legal services agency or through demonstrated commitment to pro bono initiatives and efforts while in private practice
Experience in a legal setting that provides a working understanding of the skills and practicalities of engaging in complex civil litigation and transactional, policy, and advisory legal services
Proven success cultivating and sustaining relationships with law firm leadership and professional partners
Leadership experience supervising attorneys and staff, mentoring teams, and promoting professional development
Strong communication, organizational, project management, and strategic execution abilities
Comfort leveraging data and technology to track volunteer engagement, measure impact, and inform program strategy
Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities Public Counsel serves
Experience and comfort working with clients living in poverty, including clients experiencing addiction or mental health issues
Demonstrated experience with and commitment to trauma-informed legal advocacy
Facility with navigating complex internal and external relationships while maintaining strong boundaries and prioritizing community needs
Ability to work cooperatively across teams, levels, and functions within the organization and to navigate difficult conversations and address conflict effectively
Excellent judgment and discretion as well as excellent interpersonal skills that gain and sustain respect internally and with external partners
Inspiring, decisive, collaborative, transparent, and flexible leadership style
High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, compassionate, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset

Responsibilities

Pro Bono Strategy, Program Assessment, and Systems Development
Assess Public Counsel’s current pro bono structure, practices, and systems, working closely with staff across legal teams to identify opportunities for growth
Develop and implement strategies, including those rooted in technology such as AI, to strengthen coordination, efficiency, and impact across the organization’s pro bono program
Refine systems and processes that support effective case placement, volunteer engagement, and pro bono project management
Balance strategic program development with operational execution, including troubleshooting challenges that arise in ongoing pro bono matters
Monitor pro bono engagement, track volunteer contributions, and ensure that systems support effective reporting and compliance requirements
Internal Collaboration and Organizational Partnership
Build strong relationships with Directing Attorneys, staff attorneys, and advocates across Public Counsel’s legal teams, including those involved in direct services, clinics, impact litigation, and policy advocacy
Work collaboratively with staff to identify appropriate pro bono opportunities that advance Public Counsel’s mission and ensure that volunteer resources align with program needs
Support staff by developing tools, trainings, and guidance to enhance their growth, particularly for those staff new to working with pro bono volunteers
Convene periodic internal discussions to identify emerging challenges, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across teams
Directly supervise the Manager of Volunteer Programs & Operations and the Disaster Recovery Program Manager, and assume ultimate responsibility for Public Counsel’s volunteer initiatives, including the summer intern program
External Partnerships, Law Firm Engagement, and Resource Development
Cultivate and maintain deep relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, bar associations, and other partners—including Public Counsel’s board members—that lead to meaningful and sustained pro bono placements across practice areas
Develop and manage pro bono awards, recognition events, and other public-facing initiatives to celebrate volunteer contributions
Collect and manage feedback from volunteers and partner organizations to ensure program quality and responsiveness
Represent Public Counsel on committees and in meetings, trainings, and local, regional, and national conferences to advance organizational leadership in the pro bono community
Collaborate with the Development, Grants, and Communications teams to highlight the impact of pro bono partnerships and support fundraising and donor engagement
Client-Centered Pro Bono Engagement and Volunteer Support
Ensure that all pro bono engagements prioritize the needs, dignity, and goals of Public Counsel’s clients and communities, including through social work integration where possible
Ensure pro bono volunteers receive appropriate training, supervision, and support to provide high-quality, culturally responsive representation
Promote trauma-informed and client-centered legal advocacy among pro bono partners
Navigate power dynamics that may arise with law firms while ensuring that client well-being and organizational values remain a top priority, including by stepping in to help resolve challenges between staff and pro bono partners when necessary
Promote language justice practices, including working with translators and interpreters and recruiting volunteers with diverse language skills

Benefits

Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
Dental and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off (per year):
15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
2 personal observance days
11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
Additional benefits:
403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
Professional development support and opportunities
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization