CCLS Director of Litigation and Advocacy

Director Of Litigation And Advocacy

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals. CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS's health work also extends to San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues. CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS's work includes direct services that meet our clients' immediate needs, education, and advocacy.

CCLS seeks a skilled litigator to serve as a Director of Litigation and Advocacy (DOLA). In consultation with CCLS's Leadership Team, this position will help design, strategically grow, and direct CCLS's litigation and advocacy programs to effectively serve low-income individuals, families, and communities. The DOLA will oversee the health, seniors, and benefits practice areas and work across the program as needed.

Duties

• Directly oversee CCLS's health, seniors, and benefits practice areas. This involves active participation in regular file reviews, annual evaluations, and day-to-day mentoring of directing attorneys, attorneys, paralegals, and support staff;
• Lead, co-counsel, coordinate, and advise on all stages of litigation;
• Serve as substantive resource on direct services matters;
• Develop the litigation skills of the program's attorneys;
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director, Pro Bono Program and Development Team to engage private law firms to co-counsel and support CCLS's mission and work;
• Represent CCLS in the community and statewide, including participating in relevant committees, task forces, and working groups;
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director, Development Team and Pro Bono Program to promote CCLS's mission, grantmaking, compliance, and media strategy;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• Minimum eight years of experience as a practicing attorney;
• Minimum five years of management experience;
• Proven organizational, leadership, and management skills;
• Ability to train, mentor, and inspire others;
• Demonstrated record of strategically litigating complex cases, a history of creative and high impact advocacy, and substantive experience in poverty law issues;
• Collaborative, team-oriented individual able to work with colleagues and external partners;
• Dedication to co-counseling with pro bono partners and volunteers;
• Experience in health, seniors and/or public benefits matters preferred;
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to manage a diverse portfolio and meet critical deadlines;
• Commitment to CCLS's mission and core values;
• Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, other non-merit factor or any categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.