POSITION TITLE: Managing Attorney, Disabilities Law Program (DLP)
LOCATION: Any one of the three CLASI offices (Kent, New Castle, or Sussex County)
REPORTS TO: DLP Project Director
SALARY: Depending on experience, plus management bump; excellent benefits.
POSTING DATE: January 24, 2023
DEADLINE: Until filled
CONTEXT OF POSITION: The Disabilities Law Program (DLP) provides free legal representation to children and adults with physical and mental disabilities to protect them from abuse and neglect and to advocate for their legal rights in the community (e.g., civil rights, educational services, medical services, housing, government benefits, treatment in the least restrictive environment). The DLP serves as Delaware’s Protection and Advocacy System for People with Disabilities (“P&A”). For more information about what a P&A is, see: https://youtu.be/m3vYxSe3s4M.
The Managing Attorney of the DLP will provide advocacy leadership/coordination, legal supervision, and co-counsel support within the program. This attorney will supervise and coordinate the legal advocacy of attorney and advocacy staff working in the DLP throughout the state. The attorney will promote an appropriate mix of advocacy (e.g. litigation in judicial and administrative forums; legislative, regulatory, and committee work; community education), will cultivate impact litigation, and support the Project Director with policy advocacy.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Coordinate, supervise, and support legal advocacy of DLP staff statewide.
2. Maintain reduced individual caseload as needed.
3. Oversee and provide direct representation in impact cases and co-counseling support to other DLP attorneys.
4. Participate in policy work, councils, groups, and committees as delegated by the Project Director.
5. Plan, coordinate, and implement disabilities training to new and existing staff in conjunction with CLASI’s Advocacy Director.
6. Coordinate the recruitment and assessment of applicants for DLP legal staff positions.
7. Orient, train, mentor, support, and supervise DLP legal staff in on-going casework.
8. Monitor caseloads and management and processing of cases to promote quality of representation.
9. Collaborate with Project Director in developing and monitoring achievement of program priorities.
10. Fulfill any other reasonably related program duties delegated by the Project Director.
11. Serve as a member of CLASI’s Senior Management and Leadership Teams and participate actively in other CLASI committees to support the good of the organization.
12. Collaborate with staff across CLASI’s other programs to facilitate and enhance the direct representation, information and referral, and systemic advocacy of CLASI clients.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bar Admission required; Delaware Bar Admission preferred. If not admitted in Delaware, must be eligible for and will register to take the next scheduled Delaware Bar Examination.
2. Minimum of five years’ experience as an attorney required.
3. Experience in P&A, legal aid/legal services corporation, disability, or civil rights advocacy required, including experience in litigation, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and training.
4. Ability and willingness to frequently travel statewide required.
5. Supervisory experience of staff and programs preferred.
6. Ability to communicate in Spanish, Creole or ASL preferred.
7. Interest in and knowledge of the legal issues affecting individuals with disabilities preferred.
8. Ability to travel independently and work evenings and weekends as needed for out-of-office training sessions, agency-related meetings, and community education presentations.
9. Ability to travel to and attend overnight conferences throughout the United States.
10. Ability to apply modern technology to the performance of legal work and tasks.
11. Successful completion of government clearance by the United States Government Office of Personnel Management is required for this position. Clearance must be completed/obtained within the first 3 months of hire and other background checks as may be required by funders.
12. Must complete COVID-19 primary vaccination series, booster, and bivalent booster (unless exemption applies).
CLASI strongly encourages interested candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people who are LGBTQ+, veterans, people with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups. CLASI is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Candidates are encouraged to share with us how they will add to our diversity.
APPLICATION: Provide letter of interest and résumé to Laura Waterland, at lwaterland@declasi.org
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER