Illinois Legal Aid Online · 1 month ago
Director, Family Law Program - Ascend Justice
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$84K/yr - $93K/yr
7+ years expIllinois Legal Aid Online is seeking a Director of Family Law Program to lead a team providing holistic family law services to survivors of gender-based violence. The role involves overseeing client services, managing legal staff, and ensuring compliance with legal standards while delivering high-quality representation.
Law EnforcementLegalNon Profit
Responsibilities
Provide high-quality representation for survivors of gender-based violence seeking remedies in Domestic Relations Division
Manage a case load of ongoing Domestic Relations cases, including effective representation of clients in contested hearings
Perform intake functions, interviewing potential clients to evaluate cases for representation
Maintain client files, noting all deadlines, communications, and other relevant information
Coordinate with the agency’s Client Support Coordinator and other colleagues to ensure that the client receives seamless, holistic services
Deliver services according to principles of trauma-informed care
Responsible for oversight and management of the delivery of family legal services
Monitor attorney caseloads with an eye toward equity, maximizing agency capacity and staff retention
Schedule and run case acceptance meetings
Supervise assigned staff. Conduct supervision and evaluations. Conduct necessary disciplinary, terminations, and other personnel actions in accordance with personnel policies
Provide ongoing mentoring, including strategic growth for assigned staff, and monitor individual work plans
Ensure high quality of client services through attorney training and supervision
Responsible for ensuring that attorneys are in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and ethical duties to clients, including ongoing training to maintain high levels of expertise in their respective subject matter
With the Managing Director, develop and monitor metrics for success
Ensure that program attorneys stay abreast of changes in law and procedures and disseminate information to staff as necessary
With the Managing Director, draft position descriptions and participate in hiring
Manage case acceptance process for family law clients, including timely notification of case acceptance decisions and appropriate division of case-handling responsibilities among family law attorneys
Develop training materials and opportunities for staff attorneys, volunteers and interns
With the Director of Pro Bono Services, review and hire legal and undergraduate interns
Manage and oversee intern assignments and supervision
Design and disseminate periodic reports related to project metrics, including but not limited to case acceptance, case outcomes, and client demographics
Maintain the Program’s docket, including cases accepted and under consideration for representation
Ensure that client intake and case-handling processes capture all data required for funders and for internal assessments
Actively participate in required staff meetings, trainings
Keep abreast of the field by maintaining networks, participating in professional organizations
Protect the organization by keeping information confidential
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Qualification
Required
JD and license to practice law required
Minimum of two years of supervisory experience, with proven ability to develop goals and metrics for direct reports and ensure accountability
Minimum of seven years of practice of family law
40-hour trained, licensed to practice law in Illinois
Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a hectic work environment
Ability to work effectively with key partners to develop and implement program goals
Innovative thinker capable of diplomatic communications with diverse stakeholders
Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies
Familiarity with principles of trauma-informed care and willingness to complete additional training
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations
Knowledge of or experience with working with survivors of gender-based or intimate partner violence
Ability to communicate effectively with people in crisis
Strong attention to detail
Excellent communication and time management skills
Sense of humor
Preferred
Experience serving victims of domestic violence preferred
Spanish language proficiency, including the ability to interview and represent clients with limited or no-English speaking abilities, is preferred
Benefits
Health insurance (lowest level 100% employer paid, 50% premium for dependents employer paid)
Dental insurance (employer paid)
Short- and long-term disability (employer paid)
Life insurance (employer paid)
12 weeks paid parental leave
FSA health, dependent care, and commute (parking & transit)
Options for 401k and Roth 401k retirement accounts
Employer contributions at year-end
Company
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and advice for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Amy Clark
Community Engagement Director
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