Legal Program Specialist

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law•Washington, DC

5d•$74,000 - $82,300

About The Position

The Legal Program Specialist provides specialized legal and programmatic support to the Chief Counsel(s) and coordinates defined workstreams for the Lawyers’ Committee’s Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PADEI) Pro Bono Initiative and related projects. The position independently handles assigned intake, documentation, reporting, scheduling, and stakeholder follow-up using established procedures and sound judgment. Attorneys retain responsibility for legal advice, conflict determinations, representation decisions, and substantive legal work. The role works under the direct supervision of the Chief Counsel(s), in close coordination with the Director, PADEI, and with regular input on complex, sensitive, and higher-risk matters. It also provides administrative and coordination support across the legal units, including preparation of reports and materials, meeting and event coordination, records management, limited litigation support under attorney direction, research, and technology workflow support. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements. The expected salary range is $74,000–$82,300.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Clear oral and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and effective coordination across teams and with external stakeholders.
Ability to coordinate defined workstreams independently; prioritize competing deadlines; resolve routine coordination problems; and seek guidance on unfamiliar, sensitive, or higher-risk matters.
Proficiency with technology used by legal organizations, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), shared document systems, and intake or matter-tracking tools.
Ability to maintain accurate data and documentation, monitor matter status and deadlines, reconcile missing or inconsistent data, and compile accurate program and funder reports for review.
Ability to collect and review intake information, follow established conflict-check procedures, prepare attorney-approved engagement documents, and communicate professionally with prospective clients, clients, and co-counsel firms while referring substantive legal questions to attorneys.
Ability to organize meetings, events, and convenings; coordinate calendars, travel, accommodations, and expense documentation; and research and follow up with consultants and vendors within established procedures.
Ability to locate and organize reliable source materials, summarize findings for attorney review, and prepare clear, accessible presentations and technical support resources using approved information.
Ability to prepare agendas, record accurate minutes and action items, maintain organized records and follow-up, and provide discreet administrative support for grievance-related matters under management direction.
Strong attention to detail, proofreading skills, organized recordkeeping, and reliable verification of reports and supporting materials.
Ability to identify bottlenecks, communicate risks and delays promptly, recommend improvements, and follow through on approved actions.
Ability to protect sensitive and privileged information, follow established access and document-handling procedures, and recognize when attorney or supervisor review is needed.
Desire to work in and comfort with a diverse, inclusive environment.
Deep commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice with respect for differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
Experience working in diverse environments.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of relevant legal, administrative, technical, or programmatic support experience is preferred.
Familiarity with litigation support procedures, court-admission requirements, and electronic filing systems is desired.

Responsibilities

Arrange travel and accommodations, assist with expense reports, and schedule meetings.
Prepare, compile, edit, and proofread internal and external reports, including weekly reports and Board Books; verify accuracy and completeness and obtain required review before distribution.
Assist with planning, organizing, and coordinating internal and external events, conferences, convenings, and meetings.
Maintain listservs, collaborative documents, agendas, minutes, and action-item trackers; document decisions and follow up on assigned deliverables.
Provide administrative coordination and documentation support for grievance-related matters within the legal units, consistent with confidentiality requirements and management direction.
Serve on teams developing and implementing office technology for the legal units; identify workflow issues and recommend practical improvements for review.
Provide limited litigation support in discrete matters, including coordinating court-admission applications and motions under attorney direction and review.
Research and identify potential outside-services consultants or vendors and coordinate with them as requested.
Research topics relevant to the organization’s work and organize source materials and findings for attorney review.
Take detailed meeting notes, maintain organized records, and communicate outstanding tasks, delays, and issues requiring supervisor attention.
Coordinate assigned technical and programmatic components of the PADEI Pro Bono Initiative and related projects.
Coordinate initiative intake by collecting and reviewing information for completeness, running conflict checks for attorney review, and preparing and sending attorney-approved retainers.
Correspond with prospective clients, clients, and co-counsel firms about intake, scheduling, documentation, and matter status within assigned responsibilities; refer substantive legal questions to attorneys.
Schedule client meetings.
Maintain accurate intake and matter data, reconcile missing or inconsistent information, and prepare funder reports for review as requested.
Track pro bono matters through the end of representation, maintain status and deadline records, coordinate regular team check-in calls, and flag overdue follow-up or barriers for attorney attention.
Develop accurate, accessible PowerPoint presentations about the pro bono initiative for internal and external stakeholders, subject to appropriate review.
Prepare and maintain technical support resources for coalition partners using approved information and guidance.