Director: Law Firm Pro Bono Project

Founded in 1996, Pro Bono Institute (PBI) explores and identifies new approaches to, and resources for, the provision of legal services to the poor, disadvantaged, and other individuals or groups unable to secure legal assistance to address critical problems. PBI supports, enhances, and transforms the pro bono efforts of major law firms, in-house legal departments, and public interest organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Rather than providing direct legal services, PBI is a catalyst, administering projects that support, guide, and inspire legal institutions to enhance access to justice.

The Law Firm Pro Bono Project® Initiative

PBI is seeking a Director of its Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative to lead PBI’s work to support and enhance the pro bono culture and performance of major law firms in the U.S. and around the world. The goal of the Project is to fully integrate pro bono into the practice, philosophy, and culture of firms so that law firms provide the institutional support, infrastructure, and encouragement essential to fostering a climate supportive of pro bono service and promoting partner and associate participation. 

Director of the PBI Law Firm Pro Bono Project Initiative

Reporting directly to PBI’s President & CEO, Eve Runyon, the Director will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative by identifying key innovations to expand pro bono and improve access to justice.

Responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively across PBI projects and departments, as well as with external organizations and partners, to support pro bono and enhance access to justice initiatives.
• Help to build and elevate the profile and visibility of PBI and the Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative, including being integrally involved in storytelling, communications, messaging, responses to media inquiries, stewardship, and representing the Project and PBI at conferences, meetings, and other events.
• Develop a research agenda and oversee the production and publication of scholarship and “off-the-shelf” resources, including reports, articles, blog posts, and a clearinghouse of law firm pro bono materials.
• Oversee and administer the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge® initiative.
• Plan and execute the Project’s annual membership campaign.
• Plan and execute PBI events, including the PBI Annual Conference (e.g., content, topic and speaker selection, program schedule, messaging, and logistics) and other programming, meetings, and events in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Provide stakeholders with expert, meaningful, and timely consultative services while cultivating substantive relationships.
• Serve as a member of PBI’s senior staff leadership team.
• Consult on the development and administration of the Project’s budget.
• Support the organization as needed in a small office setting.

The ideal Director will be a creative, energetic, and experienced professional ready to lead the Law Firm Pro Bono Project initiative. The Director should be an entrepreneurial visionary who can see the big picture and who is also able to roll up their sleeves and get things done. The Director should be an expert and strategic leader who understands the modern law firm pro bono landscape.  

Specific requirements:

Background

• A JD is required, with at least 10 years of law practice.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in practice at a law firm with a demonstrated commitment to pro bono, with a minimum of five (5) years in a pro bono management role.

Skills and Accomplishments

• Knowledge of and experience with public interest or legal services organizations.
• Excellent writer, editor, marketer, and speaker, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with a small staff, including with PBI’s President and other senior staff, volunteers and leadership, and a wide range of stakeholders from a variety of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to administer complex projects that require peer input.
• Ability to recognize areas for growth and develop creative, problem-solving initiatives.
• Capable of exercising discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Understanding and recognition of PBI’s successful past, with a vision for the future that can be adapted to keep up with the times.
• Commitment to advancing organizational standards and priorities in both content and operations.
• Experience setting clear priorities and success in driving a strong, results-oriented agenda that ties back to PBI’s long-term goals and strategy.
• Interested in and informed of relevant legal market trends, issues, sensitivities, and culture.
• Comfort with basic data and statistical analysis
• Periodic travel required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000 depending on candidate qualifications, including job-related knowledge, skills and experience. In addition to offering a competitive compensation, PBI offers generous employee benefits including 100% employer-paid health insurance, employer contribution of 3% of annual salary to a 401(k) plan, generous vacation and sick leave, flex-time, and access to a free fitness center on-site.

Other

PBI staff, including the Director, may work remotely for a portion of the work-week. However, the Director is expected to be in-office in Washington, D.C. on a regular basis currently and as required in the future.

Please link HERE to the full position description on PBI’s website.

To apply for the position, please send by email a cover letter, resume, brief, substantive writing sample (between 500 and 1,500 words), and list of references to:

Chris Niebling (he/him)

Operations Manager

jobs@probonoinst.org

PBI is located at 1620 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Applications by email only. No phone inquiries, please.

Please submit your application by August 25 to be considered in the first round of review. PBI will accept applications until the position is filled.