Director of Holistic Legal Services - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Title:

Director of Holistic Legal Services

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Vice President of Restorative Justice

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community- based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale. This highly relational and innovative model is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, and strategic community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the various needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, or parole, and beyond. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led (approximately 70% of our staff and Board of Directors are from North Lawndale) restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing.

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

The Director of Holistic Legal Services will be responsible for supervising, developing, support, and retaining high performing attorneys. The Director will co-manage legal programs and implement legal strategy with the Director of Policy, Training, and Advocacy. The Director will collaborate and support a vision for the most efficient and effective implementation of holistic legal defense for our youth.

Responsibilities

Manage delivery of LCLC’s vision, mission, values and culture.
Collaborate closely with Vice President of Restorative Justice, Director of Policy, Training, and Advocacy, Restorative Justice Hub Director, and Director of
Holistic Social Services in directing and overseeing management of delivery of holistic legal services to each youth we serve.
Supervise the Holistic Juvenile and Emerging Adult Defense Legal Team Supervisors and help them build their teams, develop their staff, and retain high-performing talent.
Develop, implement, and oversee creative best practices in holistic community lawyering.
Assist with reviewing exams, overseeing moots and attending select court appearances to provide support and / or feedback; when applicable, working collaboratively with the Director of Policy, Training, and Advocacy.
Help develop and implement standards, guidelines, procedures, and forms to ensure quality holistic representation; when applicable, working collaboratively with the Vice President of Restorative Justice and Director of Policy, Training, and Advocacy, and Director of Holistic Social Services.
Keep up to date on best practices, legal developments and applicable social science
Attend Executive Leadership meetings.
Attend external meetings with community, legal and government partners.
Assist with resource allocation oversight and budget management for holistic legal services.
Provide regular reports to the Vice President of Restorative Justice and assist with other reporting.
Collaborate with Vice President of Restorative Justice, Director of Holistic Social Services, and Director of Policy, Training, and Advocacy on issues involving litigation, legislative policy, and criminal justice reform efforts to develop and implement strategies supporting the above, in line with the vision of LCLC.
Act as lead or co-counsel in a limited number of cases (will have a reduced case load), as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Licensed to practice in Illinois.
Ten or more years of criminal defense trial experience.
Management or supervisor experience.
Ability to work independently and effectively manage the team.
Cultural sensitivity – ability and comfort working with a diverse staff, clients, and community partners.
Experience with working with high-risk justice-involved youth and emerging adults.
Passion for social justice, particularly as it relates to the criminal justice system.
Strong trial advocacy skills.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Highly resourceful and able to initiate and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to lead in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team.
Familiarity with restorative justice practices preferred.
Valid driver’s license, car, and proof of insurance required.
Individuals from, or with connections to, North Lawndale or adjacent neighborhoods will be given special consideration.
Willingness to live in North Lawndale preferred.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Application

Please submit a cover letter, resume, transcript of legal proceedings, writing sample, and a list of three references to: Latrionna Moore, at lmoore@lclc.net. Include position title in email subject. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.