MacArthur Justice Center · 13 hours ago
NATIONAL LEGAL DIRECTOR
St Louis, MO
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$190K/yr - $225K/yr
10+ years expMacArthur Justice Center is a national nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to advocating for individuals harmed by the criminal legal system. The National Legal Director will lead the legal strategy, oversee litigation efforts, and collaborate with leadership to advance the organization's mission and values.
Law Practice
Responsibilities
Develop and refine the overall strategic direction for MJC’s legal work to pursue MJC’s overarching mission, values, and strategic goals most effectively in collaboration with the Executive Director and office directors
Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and leadership team in actualizing MJC’s mission
Regularly interface with MJC’s Managing Director of Operations, Director of Communications, and Director of Development to maximize strategic alignment
Participate in Board meetings and serve as a corporate officer
Lead the design and implementation of a realistic and concrete plan to execute the organization’s legal strategy
Oversee MJC’s legal function, including direct supervision of the organization’s five office directors, and indirect oversight of the organization’s full legal team of about 50 professionals
Motivate, nurture, and connect a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team
Direct the case approval process, including reviewing proposed new matters for mission alignment and impact, as well as ensuring adequate staffing and resources for matters in collaboration with office directors, prior to approval by the Executive Director
Develop performance management metrics and a professional development program for all legal professionals in the organization in partnership with the Managing Director of Operations and Director of Human Resources
Develop routines to assess the impact of MJC’s legal work and support a culture of constant learning and improvement in partnership with office directors and support from the Director of Human Resources
Advise and serve as a thought partner on case strategy, as necessary or as requested by office directors
Where necessary, oversee, edit, and approve major filings and litigation decisions in particularly high-profile or complex matters
Build external relationships and serve as an advocate for MJC with external audiences
In collaboration with office directors, maintain existing external partnerships and identify and build relationships with potential new partners and allies, including law firms who support our work as co-counsel or provide other litigation support to MJC
As needed and in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Office Directors, act as spokesperson with external audiences concerning organization-wide advocacy, including the media and funders
Work collaboratively with other organizational leaders in cultivating and pursuing development opportunities for MJC
Serve as the organization’s primary contact for important issues of professional responsibility and legal ethics
Counsel MJC on compliance requirements and risk mitigation
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree and J.D. degree are required
At least 10 years of litigation experience, including experience in complex civil rights litigation
At least 5 years of experience managing others in litigation, including lawyers, legal fellows, legal interns, and paralegals
Experience overseeing a legal practice, including extensive experience collaborating with outside co-counsel and private law firms
Ability to think creatively and strategically about the direction of a legal program
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
High emotional intelligence and cultural competency
Ability to plan, manage, and be decisive under a tight deadline with the ability to multitask and be flexible and effective in fast-paced and high-pressure situations
Ability to collaborate across offices, departments, and geographies and to work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization
Understanding of the important role litigation plays in exposing injustice, raising visibility, and movement building
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to promote the legal program
A collaborative and team-driven management style appropriate to leading a group of highly accomplished and experienced office directors
Alignment with MacArthur Justice Center's mission and values
The ability to move start-up projects from concept to completion and adapt as needed based on learning and input from others while also demonstrating initiative, responsiveness, and thoughtfulness
Strong analytical and strategic thinking, along with the ability to manage stressful situations
Excellent judgment, integrity, and commitment to personal responsibility and accountability
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to make complex issues understandable and relevant to external audiences
Ability to prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively as part of a team to support others in doing the same
Willingness to honor the diverse experiences of MJC staff and clients
Admission to a state bar, and willingness to obtain admission to the state where the National Legal Director will be based, within one year of hiring
Preferred
A passion and demonstrated interest in social justice reform; experience in the criminal legal system, public policy, or related fields is strongly preferred
Benefits
Employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
EAP
FSA plans
401K
Generous paid-time-off policy
Company
MacArthur Justice Center
The Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center is a national, nonprofit law firm dedicated to protecting civil rights and fighting injustice in the criminal legal system through litigation at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Devi Rao
Director, DC Office; Director, Supreme Court & Appellate Program
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