LAVA Project Director

Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

Job Announcement

Project Director

Legal Assistance for Victimized Adults (LAVA) Project

Indianapolis, Indiana

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. ILS is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, United Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, and approximately 85 other funding sources. The Legal Assistance for Victimized Adult (LAVA) Project is a statewide project funded by a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to provide direct legal representation to seniors and disabled adults statewide who are the victims of crime, including abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

LOCATION: This position will be located in either the Indianapolis, Bloomington, or South Bend office of Indiana Legal Services. There may be opportunities for working a hybrid remote work schedule.

JOB SUMMARY: The Legal Assistance for Victimized Adults Project Director for Indiana Legal Services leads the LAVA Project. The Director will supervise the Project staff and the work of the Project so that the Project provides high-quality legal representation to eligible clients regarding the legal issues being targeted. The Director will also maintain a caseload providing high-quality representation to eligible clients. The Director will collaborate with other ILS offices and projects by sharing expertise, research, and pleadings, and by consulting, training, and co- counseling cases as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and share specialized expertise in the project area, recognizing issues and developing major advocacy responses.
• Maintain a caseload in the legal focus area, providing high quality legal representation to eligible clients and groups in administrative, state, and federal court proceedings as well as provide high quality service and negotiation, as appropriate to cases handled.
• Lead ILS efforts to address issues faced by the target population and issues in the legal focus area by fostering collaboration and teamwork within the Project and with other ILS offices and projects.
• Provide support to ILS attorneys who are addressing the project focus area through consultation, training, research, and pleadings as needed.
• Develop and maintain positive networking relationships with local and state bar associations, national organizations, and community agencies that serve project clients or work on issues affecting project clients.
• Provide community education through presentations and publications, participating in workshops and with media, and being a resource to community agencies, concerning the project clients and legal area.
• Manage project grants, grant reports and grant applications in connection with the ILS Resource Development Director.
• Supervise any project staff and volunteers, including supervising legal work, conducting performance and case reviews, distributing work and fostering growth and development of staff.
• Ensure that the project operates in compliance with all relevant statutes, regulations, rules and grant requirements.
• Assure the project reaches all relevant areas of the state.
• Comply with all ILS policies and all procedures for legal work management.
• Perform such other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Dedicated to the mission of Indiana Legal Services.
• Leadership and supervision skills.
• Indiana attorney licensure in good standing, including compliance with all license requirements.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation and litigation skills.
• Ability to travel as needed to perform job responsibilities throughout the state.
• Ability to work extra hours as needed to complete work.
• Ability to work as a team member and foster teamwork among supervisees.
• Ability to work well with diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Minimum of 4 years of legal experience, preferably in project focus area.
• Ability to comply with ILS policies and procedures and competently perform all job duties, with reasonable accommodations.
  
  
  

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Starting salary is $65,401, with a range up to a maximum of $96,743, depending on experience. ILS offers an excellent fringe benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and a flex benefit plan.

TO APPLY: Apply online at https://www.indianalegalservices.org/careers/ by submitting a letter explaining your interest and experience, your resume, and a list of at least 3 professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers. Questions regarding your application should be sent to [email protected].

POSITION START DATE: As soon as reasonably possible.