Equal Justice Under Law” is one of our nation's most basic principles. Economic realities leave this
promise too often unfulfilled. Utah Legal Services (ULS) is a nonprofit law office incorporated in 1976
committed to making equal justice a reality by providing free legal help in non-criminal cases to low-income Utahns. ULS seeks an Executive Director as it begins its next chapter. The successful candidate
will succeed ULS’s long-time and well-respected executive director, whose involvement with Utah
Legal Services spans 46 years, 40 as executive director.
ULS’s mission is to protect the rights of the disadvantaged and persons of limited means through legal
representation, advocacy, and education. It serves the entire state of Utah with offices in Salt Lake City,
Ogden, Provo and St. George.
It focuses on the basic needs of the 360,000 people eligible for legal help in the state. In addition, it has
specialized programs handling protective orders and family law cases; disability and medical benefits;
uninhabitable housing, eviction defense and subsidized housing disputes; end-of-life and guardianship
issues for senior citizens; collection defense and other consumer matters; expungements to remove
barriers to employment and housing; as well as issues unique to agricultural workers and Native
Americans.
ULS has a staff of 72, including approximately 30 attorneys. It is financially stable with an annual budget
of approximately $6.5 million, primarily from federal and state grants, and private fundraising with And
Justice for All.
High Priority Roles and Responsibilities for the next Executive Director:
• Be the standard bearer of the ULS mission and goals of the organization;
• Hire, supervise, guide, direct, evaluate, lead and retain staff to ensure a positive equitable and
safe workplace culture, including successful management of hybrid employees;
• Serve as an effective ambassador for ULS, by nurturing collaborative relationships with
community organizations, funders, legislators, private bar and judicial leaders, private donors,
and business and civic organizations throughout the service area;
• Create, lead and support an effective management team;
• Oversee and execute a strategic operational plan in conjunction with Board and staff;
• Provide leadership to and strengthen the collaborative relationships with legal aid partners
including And Justice for All, the Disability Law Center, and the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake;
• Provide leadership in local, state and national civil legal aid forums, and engage with state and
local courts, community leaders and the Utah State Bar;
• Increase and diversify financial support for ULS, and provide leadership for the And Justice for
All development initiatives;
• Work closely with the organizational controller to ensure ULS’s financial health and stability
through sound financial planning and management systems, including preparation of budgets,
monitoring of financial systems and controls, and allocation of resources;
• Engage with the Board of Directors to ensure it can effectively execute its governance, financial
oversight and leadership functions;
• Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the program’s delivery of services to clients, with staff
and Board, and a culture that promotes mutual respect and teamwork;
• Maintain and grow an effective communications program to enhance ULS’s profile in the legal
community, client community, and public at large.
Desired Qualifications and Experience of the Successful Executive Director Candidate:
• JD from an ABA accredited law school, licensed attorney in good standing for a minimum of
seven years, membership in the Utah Bar or ability to become a member;
• Exceptional leadership skills and a passionate commitment to advocating for the legal rights of
low-income individuals and those from disadvantaged communities;
• Substantial management experience in a successful legal services organization, law firm,
corporate law department, branch of a court system, relevant government agency or nonprofit
organization;
• Management experience at a policy-making level including nonprofit programmatic planning,
evaluation, staff supervision, legal systems development, fiscal oversight, reporting and budget
development;
• Significant civil legal practice experience in one of ULS’s core case service areas;
• Experience developing relationships for resource development and a history of successful grantwriting;
• Knowledge of the Legal Services Corporation and state regulatory systems that apply to ULS;
• A visionary, positive and collaborative leadership style when working with staff and Board;
• A high level of initiative and the ability to make decisions, solve problems and plan;
• Experience working with organizations and individuals with diverse backgrounds and
perspectives, including clients, staff, board members, the public, and elected and appointed
officials;
• Additional personal attributes including resilience, open-mindedness, ability to motivate and
delegate, professionalism, integrity and good listening skills; and
• Located in or able to commute to the Salt Lake City area.
Location: This is primarily an on-site position at ULS’s Salt Lake City office. Periodic travel throughout
the service area, including the Ogden, Provo and St. George offices, is required.
ULS is assisted in its search for a new Executive Director by Patricia Pap, Consultant, Management
Information Exchange, www.mielegalaid.org.
Materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Microsoft Word or PDF
format. Candidates with questions about the position or process are encouraged to contact Patricia at
the email address above or at 508-737-4010.
To receive full consideration, you are encouraged to submit your application materials by September 25,
2023. Please submit a letter expressing your interest in the position, your qualifications for the job, and
what you believe you will be able to contribute to ULS’s future. Please include a resume and the names
and contact information for three professional references.
ULS encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ULS believes that equal opportunity of
all employees is important for the continuing success of the organization. In accordance with state and
federal law, ULS will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race,
disability, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or
veteran status in hiring, promoting, demoting, trainings, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations,
recommendations, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.