Pro Bono Counsel

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP•Sacramento, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Pro Bono Counsel. This position could be based in any of our California Offices (Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or Silicon Valley). Orrick has a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality pro bono legal services and supporting the communities in which we live and work. The Firm encourages its attorneys to devote at least 60 hours annually to pro bono client service and recognizes pro bono work as an important part of the Firm’s culture and values. The Pro Bono Counsel will help lead and strengthen the Firm’s U.S. pro bono program, with a primary focus on California. The Counsel will work closely with the Pro Bono Committee, Firm leadership, attorneys, clients, nonprofit organizations, legal services providers, and community partners to develop meaningful pro bono opportunities, engage attorneys, and ensure the effective delivery and impact of the Firm’s pro bono work. Success in the Role Success will mean strengthening our strategically focused and well-run pro bono program that creates meaningful opportunities for Orrick attorneys while delivering tangible benefits to clients and communities.

Requirements

J.D. degree or equivalent experience required.
Admission to practice in California required.
At least 8 years of relevant legal, pro bono, public interest, program management, or related experience.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations, legal services providers, law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, or similar organizations.
Strong understanding of the California pro bono landscape and familiarity with national pro bono organizations.
Demonstrated commitment to public service and access to justice.
Strong strategic, project-management, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Excellent judgment and ability to prioritize opportunities based on impact and available resources.
Ability to work effectively with attorneys at all levels and across a large, geographically dispersed organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Practical, creative, and solutions-oriented approach.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across offices and practice groups.
Passion for pro bono service and commitment to achieving meaningful results for clients and communities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a law firm pro bono program, legal services or public interest organization, California legal services organization, impact litigation, or corporate pro bono program is preferred.
Experience developing multi-office or multidisciplinary initiatives is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic priorities for the Firm’s U.S. pro bono program, with particular emphasis on California.
Identify significant legal and community needs and develop high-impact pro bono matters, programs, and partnerships.
Serve as a resource to attorneys, helping identify and staff appropriate pro bono opportunities and supporting matters from intake through completion.
Coordinate pro bono activities in California while supporting the Firm’s other U.S. offices as appropriate.
Build and maintain relationships with legal services organizations, nonprofits, bar associations, clients, and other community partners, primarily focused on California.
Develop opportunities for collaboration with clients and prospective clients on pro bono initiatives in California where appropriate.
In collaboration with the Pro Bono team, engage attorneys and staff through communications, training, and other initiatives that encourage meaningful participation.
Work with Firm leadership and the Pro Bono Committee to evaluate the program, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure resources are deployed effectively.