Director of Legal Services Program

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

St John’s Community Health – Legal Services Program (SJCH) is seeking an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for low-income patients of St John’s Community Health through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering to address inequities and pursue economic justice.

SJCH provides high-quality direct legal representation in the following areas: family law, immigration law, housing law, domestic violence, administrative law, re-entry, consumer law, estate planning, probate law, restorative justice, and other areas. The office provides self-help and limited-scope assistance and provides full-scope representation to the patients of SJCH and residents of LA County through grant-based projects.

Our program has rapidly grown from a single attorney to a staff of 11, and we seek someone with the experience and energy to continue our growth. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with great leadership skills and vision to come in and continue the growth already underway.

BENEFITS

• Free Medical, Dental & Vision 
• 13 Paid Holidays PTO 
• 403 (B) retirement match 
• Life Insurance, EAP 
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Continued workforce development & training 
• Succession plans & growth within 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Performs a combination, but not necessarily all, of the following duties:

• Ensure the delivery of client-centered, high quality legal services to SJCH’s clients. 
• Provide organizational management and strategic planning and implementation for the program. 
• Hire, train and supervise program attorneys and staff as well as build collaboration with other program directors at SJCH. 
• Provide periodic legal training for medical providers, community partners, and client groups.
• Develop and maintain consistent practices and policies for the Legal Services Program. 
• Identify and support training, professional development, and other technology resources for program staff, including auditing of case management efforts by staff. 
• Coordinates care monitoring to follow up schedules and procedures with patients.
• Maintains contact with patients, staff, and funders as needed.
• Attends staff meetings, MTM, and trainings as needed.
• Fosters team environment in advocate role with staff, interns, and providers
• Track emerging legal issues in areas in which SJCH Legal Services Program practices, and develop and execute strategies, including policy advocacy and litigation that improve access to justice for Los Angeles County’s low-income community and patients of SJCH. 
• Working with other SJCH staff, develop and maintain relationships with community partners, including schools, nonprofits, and government entities to ensure robust community support for and collaboration with SJCH. 
• Support the growth of the Legal Services Program by providing leadership and oversight to the Development team and work collaboratively to expand revenue sources within the mission of SJCH Legal Services Program.
• Represent SJCH Legal Services Program at legal networking and community outreach events. 
• Provide representation, advocacy work and policy impact on behalf SJCH:
  1. to increase access to healthcare services;
  2. prevent cuts in funding and programs for community health centers; 
  3. Challenge policy decisions which reduce access to healthcare for underserved communities, including:
     • low-income families;
     • undocumented immigrants; 
     • communities of color; 
     • people experiencing homelessness;
     • Medicaid recipients;
     • the uninsured; 
     • transgender individuals
     • people with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.   
• Oversee budgetary matters for all the grants funding the SJCH Legal Service Program in collaboration with the accounting grant administrator. 
• Negotiate contracts for services with contracting agencies for new grants. 
• Complete administrative tasks for grants and the SJCH Legal Services Program.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting is produced and delivered to funders regularly.
• Full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work required. 
• Other duties as assigned by President and CEO. 

 Supervisory Responsibilities

 This position will supervise and guide a team of at least 6 attorneys and 4 support staff.

 Note: The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description may be subject to change as the needs of the program evolve.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERINECE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

• Active membership in the California State Bar, in good standing. 
• Experience in supervising lawyers, non-profit experience preferred. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Strong public speaking skills and ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, from community members to pro bono attorneys. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently and as part of a team. 
• Ability to take initiative and work with limited supervision. 
• Knowledge of a second language a plus, with Spanish language skills preferred. 
• Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record; travel throughout Los Angeles County may be necessary. 

• Commitment to public interest law: Passion for serving vulnerable populations and promoting social justice.
• Experience in various areas of public interest law with a focus on Immigration and Family Law. Experience in probate and housing matters is also helpful.
• Experience managing/conducting community and/or street outreach, specifically to hard-to-reach populations.
• Empathy and compassion for individuals facing legal challenges and a commitment to providing high-quality services.
• Proficiency in legal research, document preparation, and case management software is necessary.
• Experience working in underserved communities such as undocumented workers, unaccompanied minors, LGBT populations, communities of color, youth/adolescents, and those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and/or mental illness.

 NOTE

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.   Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.