Michigan Legal Help Program Director

POSITION: The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLHP) is seeking a Director to lead the team of advocates behind one of the most innovative self-help websites in the country.  In 75% of civil cases, at least one side does not have an attorney. MLH works to address this imbalance by providing free, accessible legal information to people representing themselves in Michigan, as well as tools to fill out forms and step-by-step instructions to help people handle their legal problems from start to finish. MLH also created an automated Guide to Legal Help to provide curated resources for visitors, and the What’s Next Text program that texts visitors automatically to help them at every stage of their legal issue. The MLH Director will lead all aspects of MLH, continuing to create new ways to help self-represented litigants in Michigan as well as working to make the legal system more equitable for people facing legal issues without an attorney. All MLH staff are based out of the Ypsilanti office with a hybrid in-office/remote work schedule; a 100% remote option is also possible for Michigan residents.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLH) is a non-profit legal organization located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that works to democratize legal information through operating the nationally-recognized Michigan Legal Help website, as well as advocating for changes in court rules, forms and processes to bridge the justice gap for self-represented litigants. The Michigan Legal Help website contains plain language information on substantive and procedural law on legal areas with high rates of self-represented litigants. This includes know-your-rights articles, self-led interviews that help visitors fill out court forms, and step-by-step instructions that help walk visitors through the procedure of how they need to file and serve their forms, and the steps that follow. In 2022, the website had 5.3 million page views and nearly half a million court forms created through its interviews. MLH also helps libraries, courts and other community organizations open self-help centers to provide one-on-one assistance to members of their community who need assistance with their legal issues. This includes training existing staff to assist members of the public in identifying their legal issues and finding and using the appropriate resources on the site.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director will lead all MLH operations, including planning and leading implementation of all aspects of MLH’s work; project management of individual initiatives; managing and developing relationships with external stakeholders and partners, including serving on several state and national work groups, committees, and task forces; managing grants, budgets, and vendors; working with MAP’s Grants Manager to secure funding; managing a staff of 14; presenting about MLH to various audiences and providing mentorship to staff of similar projects across the nation; and successfully maintaining a leadership role within Michigan’s Justice For All Commission. The Director of MLH reports to the Executive Director of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS).

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Michigan, qualified to be admitted by waiver, or able to take the next Michigan bar exam.  We value analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to serving people with low-income and underserved populations through lived or learned experience. Applicants must be skilled in working with Microsoft Office and Google Suite and be comfortable learning new technology interfaces. Applicants must be effective leaders and able to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet all deadlines. Successful candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a commitment to increasing access to justice for people without lawyers, experience with project management, and the capacity to lead and inspire a team with diverse but interconnected goals. Administrative and supervisory experience is required. Five years’ legal experience is required; seven years’ legal experience is preferred.

BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a 2024 salary starting at $95,000 depending on experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts.  If staff do 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/111. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Michigan Advocacy Program is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.