Director, LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative

Director, LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative

#26-132

New York, New York, United States

Job Description

The Legal Aid Society exists for one simple yet powerful reason: to ensure that no New Yorker is denied the right to equal justice because of poverty. For 150 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long - working on the front lines and behind the scenes to offer our clients the exceptional legal services they deserve. Annually, over two million New Yorkers benefit from direct services, impact litigation, policy and advocacy work in every borough.

Our LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative will work across all three Practice areas-Criminal Defense, Civil, and Juvenile Rights to identify and examine complex issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression equity in our legal system and help the Practice staff become competent in the provision of direct legal services. This unit will raise critical awareness of the systemic oppression that LGBTQ+ people, especially communities of color, experience within every facet of our legal system using research, policy advocacy, impact litigation, community engagement, and strategic communication.

The ideal candidate for the Director of the LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Initiative is a seasoned litigator, strategist, and advocate with deep substantive knowledge of the legal, policy, and social issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, particularly at the intersection of race, gender, poverty, immigration status, disability, and other marginalized identities. They possess a sophisticated understanding of the structures and systems that perpetuate inequities and have a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for meaningful reform.

This individual brings significant experience leading complex litigation, policy campaigns, and broad-based advocacy initiatives that advance civil rights and expand access to justice. They have successfully developed and executed strategic visions that translate community and organizational needs into impactful legal and policy outcomes, leveraging a range of advocacy tools, including affirmative and defensive litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, public education, media engagement, coalition building, and movement partnership.

The successful candidate is both a visionary and an executor, capable of setting ambitious goals while building the infrastructure, partnerships, and strategies necessary to achieve them. They have a track record of managing high-profile initiatives, leading multidisciplinary teams, and cultivating strong relationships with community organizations, elected officials, government agencies, and other stakeholders. They identify emerging legal and policy challenges, anticipating opportunities for systemic change, and positioning the organization as a leading voice in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.

Above all, the ideal candidate is a collaborative and inspiring leader who is committed to centering the experiences of impacted communities, fostering innovation, and driving transformative change through strategic, evidence-based advocacy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Advocacy and Law Reform (40%)

• Collaborate with the Law Reform Units in the Civil Practice, Juvenile Rights Practice, and Criminal Defense Practice to identify issues for impact litigation and oversee and support those efforts.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for addressing systemic issues impacting Legal Aid's LGBTQ+ clients, including:
  • Policy advocacy at the city, state, and federal levels
  • Impact litigation
  • Legislative advocacy
  • Public education
• Engage in coalition-building with community and government mobilization efforts to effect policy change

Training, Technical Assistance, and Client Support (25%)

• Lead efforts to train Legal Aid staff on representing LGBTQ+ clients holistically and from a cultural humility perspective
• Develop and produce internal training materials
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns regarding LGBTQ+ issues
• Provide support to staff representing LGBTQ+ clients
• Supervise Legal Aid's Name Change Clinic with The Ali Forney Center

Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Public Education (10%)

• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, legislators, and the courts
• Develop and produce advocacy and public education materials for community outreach and media campaigns
• Seek visibility through public appearances, including:
  • Speaking engagements
  • Media appearances
  • Conferences
  • Public forums addressing LGBTQ+ discrimination and racial inequality

Research, Data Analysis, and Communications (10%)

• Engage in data collection and analysis on LGBTQ+ issues
• Utilize data and research to support media, advocacy, and education efforts
• Develop and produce external educational and advocacy materials informed by research and data

Team Development and Supervision (10%)

• Schedule employee hours, assign work, approve time-off, and approve remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures
• Attend management meetings, participate in management training, and utilize current employment policies, practices, and guidance as provided by management and Human Resources
• Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory training is completed.
• Identify, delegate, and document work responsibilities, roles, and procedures to meet the mission of the department
• Identify and implement department/unit management and accountability practices to improve performance
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Human Resources
• Lead organizational and culture change for the unit

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar
• Minimum of 7 years legal experience, including at least 5 years of experience with complex strategic litigation in state and federal courts implicating constitutional, civil rights, or civil liberties issues
• Experience practicing law, including litigation, through a LGBTQ+ and racial justice centering framework
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Exceptional public speaking ability and experience
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice work, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-discrimination law
• Experience working with underserved communities and experience with grassroots community organizing
• Significant experience in legal training and education
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, and the ability to foster constructive, collegial working relationships with colleagues
• Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
• Commitment and experience working with and building networks and partnerships with people of color-led LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required
• Favorable consideration will be given to attorneys who have knowledge and experience with LAS's client base as well as LGBTQ+ legal issues
• Favorable consideration will be given to a candidate with experience in policy work surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice issues
• Favorable consideration will be given to an attorney with a deep understanding of intersectionality and its relation to structural oppression

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model
• Ability to work with Pro Bono lawyers and volunteers

Supervision Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to schedule, assign, and manage work and resolve problems as needed
• Ability to manage the work including: assessment of work processes and outcomes, gathering relevant information about the work, recommending alternatives, or elevating issues as needed
• Ability to clearly identify roles and responsibilities, delegate tasks, and hold people accountable
• Ability to create and implement effective communication plans
• Ability to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development, including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive employee issues
• Pursue continuous learning on forms of systemic oppression of marginalized identities and establish team norms and management practices using an equity mindset and informed by inclusive practices

Organizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers
• Interpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationships
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect
• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society's mission and values

Physical, environment, travel, and other duties required:

• Mostly sedentary, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using video
• Requires occasional or frequent physical movement to perform essential job functions which may include, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for long periods of time, accessing small spaces
• May or will require travel within NYC, across the five-borough region

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Achieving these goals depends on our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantle bias in all forms.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

Location

Manhattan - Criminal Defense Practice Office