Legal Services Director

Job description

Type: Management, Regular, Full-Time, Exempt. Location: San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in our San Francisco office two days a week. Occasional statewide travel is required. Deadline: Applications are due by Wed Aug 26. Reports to : Legal Director Compensation & Benefits: The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience and ranges from $139,050 to $176,144 ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match. Travel & Meetings: All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required. This includes two (2) annual retreats, an anniversary celebration dinner, and meetings as needed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Occasional travel within the United States to attend external key stakeholder, funder, partner, meetings and/or convenings are expected, as needed. The Opportunity Reporting to the Legal Director, this is a newly created position that will oversee the systems, processes, and the organization-wide legal staff support that sustain ALC’s legal work across litigation, direct client representation, and other legal advocacy. They will ensure that ALC’s legal team has the infrastructure, coordination, and administrative support needed to carry out high-quality, effective, and values-driven work in service of the communities ALC has fought for since 1972. They will build and provide a cohesive structure for a Legal Services team whose main purpose is for managing overall internal processes and tools on case management including data integrity, compliance, and reporting, intake and administrative support to the legal team, management of pro bono and legal volunteer engagement, direct services delivery efficiency and compliance. A critical part of the role is partnership with the Legal Director to align legal services support with ALC’s broader programmatic and organizational priorities, including serving as a partner on work planning, staffing, and implementation. This leader will strengthen the internal systems that support legal strategy, ensure consistency and rigor across legal support functions, and help create sustainable working conditions for attorneys and all legal staff. The right person has a strong track record in legal services administration , litigation support, or nonprofit legal administration and is a detail-oriented, steady leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. They are able to assess what the department needs, create systems that meet the moment, and work closely with staff to ensure those systems are functional, sustainable, and grounded in care. They are comfortable managing people, processes, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. They understand the tradition of movement lawyering rooted in community power, direct services, and systemic change and bring the judgment, operational strength, and collaborative leadership needed to advance it. The Organization ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought for access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color, across our Housing Rights, Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Justice, and National Democracy Initiative programs, and other emerging areas of law. Core Responsibilities Direct Legal Services Oversight Oversee ALC’s efficient and effective delivery of high-quality direct legal services including intake, case acceptance, case management, case supervision structures, and client communication and support systems. Ensure legal services are delivered in accordance with professional responsibility rules, funder requirements, organizational policies, and applicable law. Support attorneys and legal staff in achieving strong client outcomes while maintaining reasonable caseload management and quality control. Monitor service delivery metrics, case outcomes, and client trends to improve effectiveness and equity in services. Ensure legal services are responsive to community needs and centered on accessibility, cultural humility, language access, and trauma-informed practice. In partnership with Legal Director, CDO, and Finance Director, oversee and ensure the completion of the State Bar and other grant deliverables as it relates to direct legal services. Legal Administration Infrastructure Own and lead the strengthening and improving of internal legal operations, set protocols, and support effective management of legal team workflows and caseload. Develop, direct, and implement efficient systems for client intake, case tracking, calendaring, case deadlines, filings, client records retention, and legal document organization. Coordinate with attorneys and advocates to ensure legal matters are supported with strong administrative and operational infrastructure. Oversee processes related to legal intake, matter opening and closing, conflict checks, and case-related reporting, as appropriate. Help maintain compliance with ethical and confidentiality obligations, and internal risk management protocols. Identify opportunities to improve legal systems, technology, and procedures to increase efficiency, consistency, and accessibility across the legal programs Pro Bono and Volunteer Services Support Oversee the strategy, structure, and growth of the organization’s pro bono and volunteer legal services program, in partnership with the Pro Bono and Volunteer Manager. Ensure the development of systems for recruiting, onboarding, training, supervising, supporting, and recognizing pro bono attorneys, law students, interpreters, and other volunteers, as appropriate. Support the building and maintenance of strong relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, bar associations, law schools, and community partners to expand pro bono engagement. Ensure pro bono matters are appropriately screened, placed, monitored, and supported, with clear expectations, training materials, and quality controls. Collaborate with legal staff to integrate pro bono and volunteer support into service delivery models in a way that enhances impact without compromising quality or compliance. Monitor volunteer engagement, hours, case outcomes, and partnership metrics for internal management and external reporting. Team Management & Development Supervise, mentor, and develop legal assistants, Intake & Referral Coordinator, and a Pro Bono and Volunteer Manager, including setting clear expectations, fostering professional development, and ensuring high-quality work across the team. Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular supervision, and support staff development, training, and retention. Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and planning for legal services staff and volunteers. Develop and manage Legal Support’s budget and resources to support organizational priorities Desired Qualifications J.D. and membership in good standing in the California State Bar Minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience in direct legal services, litigation, legal administration, or a related field, preferably in a nonprofit, public interest, or social justice setting. Strong knowledge of legal support systems, court processes, document management, calendaring, and litigation workflows. Experience supervising staff and building effective, collaborative teams. Experience in working with case management systems, tools, and legal-related software, including Clio, Sharepoint, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, WestLaw, PACER, and other electronic filing systems Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities and deadlines. Strong project management skills and the ability to create and improve systems in a dynamic environment. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across roles, teams, and levels of seniority. Demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice, racial justice, economic justice, and working in partnership with directly impacted communities. Familiarity with movement lawyering and public interest legal practice strongly preferred. Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze situations, identify existing or potential problems and recommend solutions Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully both within the organization and in the community and to inspire legal staff to perform their best work Application Process Interested candidates should submit via BreezyHR the following: Cover letter explaining your interest in the position Resume One writing sample (no more than ten (10) pages) Three (3) professional references (including at least two direct supervisors) Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race , color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.