Job Title:        Case Referral Managing Attorney
Reports To:    Director of Legal Services
FLSA Status:   Exempt
Location:        Lincoln, Nebraska (preferred)
Updated:        March 15, 2022
Salary:            Beginning at $57,000, based on experience

OVERVIEW

The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is the pro bono program of the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA).  Created in the early 1980s, VLP furthers the NSBA mission, “Helping Lawyers Help People.”  VLP creates and coordinates pro bono opportunities that are convenient, rewarding, and impactful for Nebraska lawyers.  The VLP Case Referral Managing Attorney helps plan, implement and maintain pro bono case referral activities across Nebraska. 

This position is full-time and grant funded.  The position requires significant interaction with lawyers, nonlawyers and members of the general public. General work hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with some evening, weekend, and extended workdays.  This position may require occasional travel to attend activities and events. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary is commensurate with non-profit public interest work, skills and experience considered. This position offers paid individual healthcare and dental insurance, health savings account, 401K retirement plan, life insurance, disability plan, paid NSBA membership, NSBA CLE credit opportunities, remote work policy, vacation and sick leave.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Case Referral Managing Attorney will:

• Supervise case referral staff.
• Recruit volunteers through telephone, written and in-person communication.
• Conduct case placement activities for no fee and reduced fee case referral programs and assist with case management.
• Assist the Legal Clinic Managing Attorney, as needed, with operating clinics in venues such as courthouses, partner organizations, etc., which may include travel between Omaha and Lincoln.
• Assist with creating and conducting trainings, events, CLE, and presentations to train and sustain an active volunteer network.
• Create and update training materials and volunteer resources, in print and online.
• Draft correspondence, reports, articles and other documents for VLP programs and activities.
• Assist with preparing reports to funders and partner organizations.
• Assist with fund development for the project.
• Assist with maintaining databases to track volunteer information.
• Perform quality assessment of the pro bono program through surveys and other tools.
• Attend regular meetings and designated program and professional development events.
• Perform other duties assigned by the VLP Director or NSBA Executive Director.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctorate required. If admitted to practice, must be a member in good standing.
• Prefer three-years’ experience in poverty law areas, including family, landlord/tenant, debtor, guardianship, probate and general civil law.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and pro bono representation with previous experience working with low-income and underserved communities.
• Experience managing or supervising staff is highly desired.
• Experience managing or supervising volunteers is highly desired.
• Advanced experience in computer and technical applications, including Microsoft Office programs, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with a legal case management system.
• Knowledge of online meeting and training platforms and basic web applications.
• Able to efficiently work on multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to frequent changes, and effectively manage multiple deadlines.
• Available to work evenings, weekend and extended work hours as necessary to perform the function of VLP and the NSBA.
• Fluency in Spanish highly desired.

SKILLS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE NSBA/VLP MISSION

The Case Referral Managing Attorney will:

• Work independently and within a team.
• Demonstrate poise, tact and diplomacy in all communications, internally and externally.
• Have an energetic, assertive, can-do attitude to establish and maintain positive relationships, internally and externally; be able to make frequent, regular cold calls to attorneys statewide and interact at various events to recruit volunteers for VLP programs.
• Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• Have excellent professional communication skills, oral and written.
• Possess computer, data entry, and organization skills to create, maintain, and support existing and new VLP programs and activities.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail, high standards for accuracy and quality.
• Provide continual attention to accuracy and quality in composing, typing and proofing materials and reports; establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Follow internal procedures and professional and external rules related to VLP programs.

NOTE

The statements in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this position, the level of knowledge, the scope of responsibility, and the skills typically required for this position.  The statements should not be considered an all-inclusive list of the work requirements. This position may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other NSBA areas to cover absences or relief, or to further the responsibilities of the VLP or the NSBA.   Every effort will be made to update job descriptions as changes are made. 

TO APPLY

Send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to Laurie Heer Dale, Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, 635 S. 14th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508 or volunteerlawyersproject@nevlp.org. The position will remain open until filled.