LEGAL RIGHTS CENTER
1611 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
www.legalrightscenter.org

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES

Application Deadline: October 8, 2021

The Legal Rights Center, Inc. (LRC) seeks outstanding candidates to join our team as Deputy Director for Community Legal Services. LRC is a community-based nonprofit law firm in Hennepin County. Please see our website (www.legalrightscenter.org) for more information about the organization and its programs.

Position Responsibilities

The Deputy Director for Community Legal Services is a staff officer at the Legal Rights Center and a core member of the leadership team, supporting and advancing the organization’s mission. They must be qualified to lead and support LRC’s legal and community work, including:

Oversee LRC’s Community Defense Program (CDP), including:
o Supervise all attorneys, investigator(s), volunteers and intern(s) in CDP focused on holistic and client-centered defense of indigent clients in adult and juvenile court throughout Hennepin County
o Enable and empower an inclusive culture on the CDP team and across LRC
o Oversee training and professional development for all LRC staff attorneys and CDP team members
o Co-counsel cases with LRC staff attorneys when appropriate
o Engage in zealous and client-centered representation of individual adult and youth clients charged with crimes in Hennepin County as capacity allows
o Oversee administrative management related to community legal defense

Oversee LRC’s individual client advocacy practices in collaboration with LRC’s Director of Community Strategy

Support development and implementation of LRC’s community engagement strategy, including: representing LRC on working groups, task forces, etc.; engaging in programmatic initiatives focused on community engagement and advocacy; and engaging with media / communications opportunities
 Collaborate with LRC’s Executive Director to manage and develop advanced relationships with members of the legal community, including courts, public defenders, defense bar, prosecuting authorities, law firms, nonprofit legal organizations, and others
 Support fund development specific to Community Defense Program and Community Strategy work
 Support budget development and management for Community Defense Program
 Work alongside members of our youth advocacy team in support of their advocacy and restorative practices efforts
 Other related tasks
Essential Qualifications
 Minnesota licensed attorney with minimum 5 years experience in criminal and/or juvenile law or related professional or lived experience (if not licensed in Minnesota, must be eligible for admission by reciprocity or planning to take the next Minnesota bar exam)
 Demonstrated expertise and success in criminal and/or juvenile defense
 Demonstrated interest and experience effectively building and leading teams to desired and productive outcomes
 Demonstrated experience leading projects to successful conclusions
 Prior experience developing and implementing problem-solving strategies and associated tactics
 Demonstrated ability getting work done through others
 Demonstrates a passion and high-level skill for identifying and building productive relationships
 Persuasive and effectively leverages strong oral and written communication skills
 Demonstrated interest and experience working with some or all of the following:
o BIPOC Communities
o Youth, including youth at-risk of justice system involvement
o Poverty Populations
o Multicultural Populations
 Self-motivated and takes initiative
 Effectively leverages partnerships and is able to work both in a team and independently
 Strong organizational skills, including strong facility for multitasking
 Must pass background check for working with youth
 Willingness to use own vehicle for work related travel to courts, community meetings, etc. (mileage reimbursed)
Salary & Benefits
Compensation for this position is in the range of $70,000 to $80,000 annually based upon qualifications and experience.
Health and dental insurance provided.
How to Apply
Please email a letter explaining your interest in the position and your resume to jobs@legalrightscenter.org. Finalists will be asked to provide multiple professional references. For questions or more information, please call Sarah Davis at 612-677-2124.

The Legal Rights Center was created by communities of color working in coalition; a diverse staff best meets the needs of our communities.