Legal Career Center

Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

Job Title: Legal Director
Status: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to:  Executive Director
Positions Supervised:  Bilingual Legal Advocate; Immigration Project Attorneys; VOCA Project Family Law Attorney

Salary:                                    $70,000 – $80,000                                           

Job Summary: 

The Legal Director coordinates and supervises the Coalition’s Legal Team. This team provides support to the network of member programs through; direct legal support to survivors, training and capacity building and coordinating with programs and outside partners to prevent and respond to gender based violence. The Legal Director supports the Coalition’s Public Policy team, participating in analyzing policies related to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking.  

The Legal Director is a member of the Coalition’s Leadership Team and works alongside the Executive Director and other Project Directors to provide support, strategy and planning for the agency.   The work of the Legal Director will be based upon a strong anti-oppression framework and will incorporate primary prevention strategies, equity and social change into all efforts.

The Coalition allows for remote work options. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and will be given preference, but is not required.

Principal Duties:

I. Support to Nebraska’s Network of Programs

1. Conduct trainings on legal issues impacting domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking as needs are determined through program assessments.
2. Respond to information requests from program advocates on legal issues, including providing assistance on specific victim’s cases.
3. Assist programs with developing strategies to improve the criminal and civil system response to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking.

II. Collaborative Support to Allied Organizations

1. Build, cultivate, and maintain partnerships with allied organizations to create connections between their work and the mission of the Nebraska Coalition.
2. Serve as the agency’s liaison to the Nebraska State Bar Association, Legal Service Corporation and other legal entities addressing civil issues related to gender based violence.
3. Assist with development of and provide support for legal trainings to attorneys, mediators, law schools and others.
4. Work with needed organizations to ensure implementation of new or amended laws, policies, or practices related to gender based violence.
5. Represent the Coalition on community task forces or working groups as identified.

III. Direct Service 

1. Provide minimal direct legal services to victims as permissible through the Coalition’s approved projects.
2. Ensure use of protocols addressing conflicts of interest; confidentiality; screening and the enhancement of victim safety with Coalition cases.
3. Evaluate client services through the use of surveys and case progression and review.

IV. Administrative/Other Duties 

1. Supervise the Coalition’s Legal Team and Coalition programs or services related to legal assistance.
2. Assist in preparation of grant applications and reports supporting the Coalition’s legal services.
3. Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, providing direction for the Legal Team, strategic planning for the future of the agency and assistance with staff meetings, retreats, work plans and other activities.
4. Assist in public policy advocacy with both Nebraska State Senators and federal Senators and Representatives and through review and feedback on relevant current or future bills.
5. Provide general support to the Coalition through review and updates to Coalition policies, Communications input and other general support.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Estimated Distribution of Duties:

• 35% Coordination/Collaborative Projects
• 35% Administrative
• 10% Direct Services
• 10% Training
• 10% Public Policy

 Qualifications:

1. Juris Doctorate and licensed to practice law in Nebraska REQUIRED
2. Demonstrated professional or lived experience knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking issues, as well as Nebraska/Federal law in these areas.
3. Experience in staff supervision.
4. Experience in working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, preferably in a domestic violence/sexual assault program.
5. Experience and commitment to advocating for social change and ending gender based violence through an anti-oppression framework
6. Demonstrated public speaking, training, and communication skills.
7. Ability to manage projects and be self-directed.
8. Experience with grant management, implementation, and reporting preferred.
9. Access to own transportation and in-state travel is required, including occasional overnight stays, and occasional out of state travel.
10. Ability be on a computer for multiple hours at a time and sit for 2-3 hours at a time.
11. Ability to work with and support all levels in the organization, outside partner agencies and BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other communities who have been traditionally marginalized or oppressed.
12. Desire to be part of a social change and social justice organization committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism values.
13. Willingness to learn and grow with staff, and to create a workplace culture supportive of all.

**This job description may change at any time based on identified priorities of the agency and in line with the overall mission.

To Apply:  Please submit a letter of interest and resume to executivedirector@nebraskacoalition.org with Subject Line: "Legal Director Application" by August 19, 2022.