Pro Bono Director

Inland Counties Legal Services Inc. • Riverside, CA

3d • $127,920 - $150,800

About The Position

Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) is seeking a Pro Bono Director to join the Community Engagement Team. ICLS is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income persons in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, with a focus on seniors and those in greatest social or economic need. Services are delivered through attorneys and paralegals in areas such as advice and counsel, limited action, and direct representation. ICLS has eight practice groups, including Consumer, Housing, Family and Domestic Violence, Immigration, Systemic Impact Litigation, Health, Public Benefits and Education, and Elder Law. The Pro Bono Program is robust, operating six substantive programs (Expungement, Small Business & Nonprofit, Guardianship, LGBTQ+ Services, HIV+ Services, and Disaster Preparation & Response) and integrating pro bono into other practice groups. The program also oversees student programs, including a summer law clerk program and various other student internship programs.

This Practice Group Director-level position reports to the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and works closely with the Community Engagement team, including Communications and Outreach. The Director supervises multiple attorneys and non-attorney staff and collaborates with other Practice Group Directors. Since its founding in 1958, ICLS has grown to over 160 employees dedicated to ensuring access to the justice system through free civil legal services. The Pro Bono Program leverages volunteers (attorneys, paralegals, law students, and other professionals) to provide high-quality legal advice, advocacy, and court representation to those most in need.

Requirements

• Hold a J.D. degree.
• Be licensed to practice law in the State of California at the time of hiring or expected to become licensed within six months of beginning employment at ICLS.
• Passion for expanding access to justice, serving low-income and underserved communities in Inland Southern California, and ensuring all have access to the justice system.
• Experience practicing law and supervising attorneys.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices, organizational advancement, and cultural humility, including a keen eye towards applying those principles to pro bono work.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic partnerships, cultivating relationships, and building successful projects with law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, funders, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, execute, and manage multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and perspectives.
• Ability to serve as an effective ambassador for ICLS with ICLS’s Board of Directors, community partners, law firm and corporate partners, funders, and the legal profession.
• Strong writing, verbal communication, analytical, presentation, and public speaking skills, along with sound judgment and a collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, mentor, and effectively supervise staff, volunteers, and other professionals.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel occasionally for conferences and other work-related events is required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with developing grants, grant reporting, and working with funders is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience or ten years of active legal practice preferred.
• At least three to five years of pro bono coordination or management experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leading the delivery of legal services through ICLS's pro bono program, including overseeing and directing pro bono projects and recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer attorneys and other professionals.
• Supervising the pro bono team, including attorney and non-attorney staff, with responsibility for staff training, development, and oversight.
• Representing ICLS in local, statewide, and national pro bono initiatives and conferences.
• Working with ICLS’s Community Engagement Team to recognize and celebrate corporate and law firm partners, volunteers, and community partners, including through annual recognition events, impact reports, social media highlights, and other communications tools.
• Overseeing and directing law firm and corporate partnership strategy, relationship management, and work with ICLS’ Director of Development for fundraising opportunities.
• Overseeing and directing the integration of pro bono throughout ICLS, including collaborating with practice groups to identify opportunities for volunteer involvement and developing and expanding pro bono in additional legal service areas, including systemic and impact litigation.
• Ensuring compliance with grant requirements, including reporting to funders.
• Overseeing and directing all other aspects of the pro bono program, including grant writing, compliance, data collection, program development, and strategic initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree