Pro Bono Director & Counsel

We are looking for a new Pro Bono Director & Counsel - apply now!

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At a glance

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Faegre Drinker, a global law firm with 1200 legal and consulting professionals, has an opportunity for a Pro Bono Director & Counsel to lead the firm’s pro bono and community service programs. You would work closely with firm leadership to set the firm’s pro bono strategy, encourage excellence and broad participation in pro bono service and participate in the local and national pro bono and access to justice community. You would also manage the pro bono and community service team, oversee the firm’s sponsorships and charitable support for pro bono, legal aid, and access to justice organizations, and support corporate partnerships. This role is classified as a professional staff role at the firm.

Key Responsibilities

What you would do:

• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team, General Counsel and Pro Bono Committee to set and execute the firm’s pro bono strategy and goals in alignment with the firm’s broader strategic plan.
• Monitor progress on pro bono goals to support broad participation and excellence in pro bono service.
• Exercise excellent judgment in developing guidelines for matter intake taking into account business and legal conflicts, risk management and the firm’s brand and reputation.
• Report progress to the Executive Leadership Team and broader firm on pro bono participation and success.
• Lead the pro bono team in seeking out, promoting, and supporting pro bono opportunities for the firm’s lawyers, paralegals, and consulting professionals.
• Develop and support pro bono practice areas, projects, and litigation matters.
• Review and approve new pro bono matters to ensure alignment with the firm’s pro bono priorities, and manage potential conflicts and business and reputational risk.
• Oversee firmwide pro bono caseload and work with the pro bono team to align pro bono practice administration with internal firm policies and protocols, and to ensure that lawyers are provided appropriate supervision, training, resources, and support necessary for their pro bono practice.
• Lead, develop, and manage the firm wide pro bono and community service team.
• Develop and manage the annual pro bono and community service budget in alignment with the firm’s financial goals.
• Partner with the firm’s Foundation on charitable giving in support of the firm’s pro bono and community service programs.
• Serve as one of the firm’s contacts with outside organizations involved pro bono work.
• Assess and report on market trends as they relate to law industry pro bono offerings, both nationally and in specific locations where the firm has an office.
• Oversee annual pro bono awards and recognition programs.

The Successful Candidate

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a consensus-driven organization.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships, both internally and externally, while maintaining a high level of client service orientation.  This includes being able to work effectively with others in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise team members effectively across multiple office locations, including the day-to-day management and their professional development as well as proactively addressing any performance issues.
• Strong organizational, project management and time management skills, including ability to manage, prioritize and delegate multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to think analytically and problem-solve.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including critical thinking, risk-taking and creativity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a virtual environment (e.g., via phone, web/videoconference).
• Ability to concentrate on tasks, make decisions and work calmly and effectively in a high-pressure, deadline-orientated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment, including in taking initiative while asking for and accepting direction or clarification, as appropriate.
• Willingness to be flexible with time and adjust to a changing work environment.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information.
• Ability to maintain stamina throughout a standard workday, on- and off-site.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and work regularly scheduled hours.
• Bachelor’s degree
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree with an active law license in at least one state
• Minimum of 10 years practicing law
• Significant experience managing pro bono programs and projects
• Strong leadership and management experience, including at least five years or progressive supervisory experience overseeing professionals
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, and Excel)
• AmLaw 200 law firm experience preferred

The anticipated initial annual salary range for someone who is hired into this position is $210,000.00 – $250,000.00.

Actual initial salary may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location where the position is filled, in all cases consistent with applicable law.  This is an exempt role and the initial salary range listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for professional staff, which includes, but is not limited to, a discretionary bonus; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

Applications will be accepted through February 15th, 2025.

Apply now