Supervising Attorney – Housing & Community Economic Development

ABLE • Toledo, OH

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm whose mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance. The Supervising Attorney for the Housing & Community Economic Development (HCED) Practice Group is a leadership position responsible for supervising legal staff while advancing litigation, policy advocacy, and community-based legal strategies. This role leads a multidisciplinary team including attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers in delivering high-quality legal services to low-income individuals and communities across ABLE’s 32-county service area, with a focus on northern Ohio. The HCED Practice Group utilizes a community lawyering model to support neighborhood residents in building healthy, economically vibrant communities. The Supervising Attorney will guide advocacy efforts that uplift client voices and partner with tenants and tenant organizations to enforce and strengthen housing laws. This position combines direct legal advocacy with program leadership, strategic planning, and staff supervision to drive meaningful, community-centered impact. This position plays a critical leadership role in shaping ABLE’s housing and community economic development advocacy across western Ohio. The Supervising Attorney directly impacts service delivery, staff development, and the effectiveness of systemic advocacy efforts. Through leadership of the HCED Practice Group, this role helps drive lasting improvements in housing stability and community conditions for low-income residents.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed attorney admitted to the Ohio Bar or eligible for admission by motion or passage of the next bar examination
• Demonstrated litigation and advocacy experience
• Strong leadership, supervision, and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to serving low-income individuals and communities
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience
• Experience in housing law, community economic development, or related practice areas
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and administrative abilities
• Prior experience supervising attorneys, paralegals, or other professional staff
• Experience with community lawyering, policy advocacy, or movement-based legal work
• Fluency in Spanish or another language relevant to client communities

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, including oversight of casework, advocacy strategies, and professional development
• Lead and coordinate litigation, policy and systemic advocacy, and community lawyering initiatives within the HCED Practice Group
• Provide high-quality legal representation, including litigation, negotiation, and administrative advocacy
• Support and advance community-based advocacy efforts, including collaboration with tenant organizations and neighborhood groups
• Ensure integration of ABLE’s community lawyering model into all aspects of practice group work
• Maintain a manageable caseload consistent with supervisory responsibilities
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, public officials, courts, and advocacy organizations
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to organizational leadership discussions
• Ensure compliance with ABLE policies, funding requirements, and reporting obligations
• Directly supervises attorneys, paralegals, and/or law clerks and is responsible for personnel management, mentoring, performance evaluation, and workload oversight.

Benefits

• health insurance
• annual leave
• sick leave
• supplemental language compensation
• loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
• paid parental leave

What This Job Offers

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