Director Of Michigan Poverty Law Program

POSITION: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking a Director to lead its team of advocates in the state support office.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is a statewide legal resource program located in Ypsilanti. MPLP provides support services to local legal services programs and other poverty law advocates. Our goals are to support the advocacy of civil legal aid programs; to coordinate advocacy for low-income individuals and families in Michigan; to assure that a full range of advocacy continues on behalf of the poor; and to lead policy and systemic advocacy and litigation efforts in Michigan on behalf of low-income families and vulnerable populations. We work directly with local advocates by providing open access to case consultation, co-counseling, or referrals for current clients, and trainings. MPLP is part of the Committee on Regional Training (CORT). CORT is a four-state training consortium that provides substantive law and skills trainings for legal services attorneys in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

MPLP is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to Michigan’s low-income residents, Michigan’s immigrant communities, and seniors through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP). MAP provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs. Visit mplp.org and miadvocacy.org for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The MPLP Director is responsible for the day to day operations of a 7 person state support office. Duties include: supervising, evaluating and training staff; maintaining relations with funders, Michigan's legal aid programs and the private bar; coordinating statewide training calendar and advocacy; tracking budgets and expenditures. The MPLP Director reports to the Executive Director of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS). In addition, the MPLP Director will provide statewide advocacy and support in one of MPLP's designated support areas (elder, housing, family, consumer, public benefits).

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SUPPORT ATTORNEY:

• Engage in impact litigation and appellate work
• Identify, develop, and lead legislative and administrative advocacy and litigation strategies

in a designated support area

• Identify ways in which to challenge racialized systems and practices
• Provide legal and technical support to legislators, policymakers, community organizations, legal services attorneys, and other poverty law advocates in a designated support area
• Help build, lead, and collaborate with coalitions of community and grassroots organizations
• Lead and coordinate coalitions and advisory groups statewide in collaboration with advocacy partners
• Support legal services attorneys, poverty law advocates and pro bono attorneys through research, case consultation, litigation support, and co-counseling cases
• Offer training to legal aid advocates and other poverty advocates
• Lead quarterly statewide task force meetings
• Lead teams on specific advocacy projects and produce community legal education materials

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in Michigan
• Minimum 7 years legal experience
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in supervision of legal work and program administration
• Must demonstrate a high level of understanding around legal services for low-income individuals and communities and have experience in delivering legal services to low-income persons
• Previous management and administration of a legal services program or a nonprofit organization
• Experience or background in one of MPLP's designated support areas (elder, housing, family, consumer, public benefits)
• Demonstrated litigation experience, appellate experience and/or policy advocacy experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with client groups, community-based groups, and coalitions.
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills, strategic thinker, and creative
• Commitment to MSAS/MPLP’s mission to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions

BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a salary starting at $95,000 based on years of relevant experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts. If an applicant does not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MAP also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 15 paid holidays, as well as a 401K retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment. MAP is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

TO APPLY:  Please complete this application and submit your resume and cover letter. You can also access the application by copying and pasting the following web address into your browser: https://miadvocacy.bamboohr.com/careers/161. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

MSAS/MPLP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.