General Counsel and Director of Pro Bono

We are looking for a new General Counsel and Director of Pro Bono - apply now!

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At a glance

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The General Counsel & Director of Pro Bono Programs of the New York County Lawyers Association will be responsible for providing legal advice to NYCLA to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations (including compliance with tax, not-for-profit, financial, employment, real estate, anti-discrimination, and health and safety laws and regulations) and will oversee the public policy and issue-oriented work of the Association. In addition, this position oversees the development and implementation of NYCLA’s Pro Bono Programs and the Fee Dispute & Conciliation Program.

This position reports to the Executive Director of the Association.

Key Responsibilities

General Counsel

• Provides legal advice to NYCLA and affiliated Foundation to ensure compliance with tax, not-for-profit, pension, insurance, financial reporting, corporate governance, health and safety, employment, anti-discrimination, real estate, environmental, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Reviews legal documents and contracts to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Identifies public policy issues relevant to the furtherance of NYCLA’s mission and proposes strategies for effective initiatives and responses, including reports, forums, press releases, and collaborative approaches with other organizations.
• Reviews NYCLA publications and press releases to ensure that NYCLA ‘s policy positions are accurately reflected and that legal developments are accurately described before disseminating.
• Assists the Executive Director in the development of Association policies and programs by formulating recommendations to the President and Board.
• Coordinates research and preparation of reports for the President, Board, NYCLA Committees, Task Forces and other bodies for presentation to judicial and other commissions, the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
• Works with consultants, officers, staff and the Nominating Committee on Board, officer and volunteer leadership development, including recruitment, orientation and training.
• Assists the Executive Director and President and other officers with developing agenda items for the Executive Committee, Board and governance committees and assists in the preparation of minutes, agenda packets for the Board and its committees, the Justice Center Advisory Board, task forces and working groups; performs follow up to ensure action items are implemented.
• Performs legal and staff support for Board and Executive Committee meetings, governance committees, Task Forces and Working Groups, as directed by the Executive Director and President.
• Performs other functions as required by the Executive Director, President and other officers of NYCLA.

Director of Pro Bono and Fee Dispute Programs

• Develop and implement NYCLA’s various pro bono programs, in consultation with the Committee on Pro Bono.
• Develop department budget, along with relevant sub-budgets in relation to specific pro bono/fee dispute programs as appropriate.
• Prepare grant applications, including grants through the Interest on Lawyer Account Fund and the Office of Court Administration.
• Prepare and finalize annual Professional Liability Insurance renewal.
• Maintain NYCLA’s profile on pro bono related resource websites.
• Conduct outreach to other legal providers, bar associations and related organizations.
• Supervise the Pro Bono Administrator and the Fee Disputes Program Administrator in the implementation of their responsibilities.
• Oversee and facilitate attorney recruitment and training across all relevant pro bono programs.
• Manage the screening, referral and assignment of pro bono clients and attorneys; provide volunteer support where appropriate.
• Serve as liaison between NYCLA and partnering organizations, including the Feerick Center for Social Justice, Volunteers of Legal Service, LegalServicesNYC and the Urban Justice Center.
• Coordinate and cultivate relationships with various supervising and mentoring attorneys across all pro bono programs.
• Handle volunteer recognition through various awards and other events.
• Address high-level complain calls and letters relating to both the Pro Bono Program and the Fee Dispute & Conciliation Program.
• Develop and direct publicity for Pro Bono Programs.

The ideal applicant will have the following qualifications:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong academic record.
• Member in good standing of the New York Bar.
• At least 5 years of relevant legal experience, including familiarity with legal issues relating to tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations.
• Experience working with non-profit boards, membership organizations and/or bar associations.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong personal work ethic and ability to adapt.
• Computer literacy, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Collegial personality, ability to work cooperatively with diverse team of professionals.

Apply now