Managing Attorney, Homeless Advocacy Project

Be part of a critical effort to prevent homelessness in San Francisco. The Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco (JDC) advances fairness and equality by providing free legal services to low-income people and educational programs that foster diversity in the legal profession. JDC currently has an exciting opportunity for a Director/Managing Attorney at its Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) in San Francisco’s Civic Center/Tenderloin area.

About HAP:

HAP is a program of the JDC, a non-profit provider of legal services to low-income and indigent San Francisco residents. HAP is working to prevent and end homelessness in San Francisco, and to reduce the negative effects of homelessness on the individuals and families with whom we work. At HAP, we have found that our work has the most positive impact when we focus on eviction prevention, benefits advocacy and immigration issues. Our clients are individuals and families who are homeless or who are at serious risk of homelessness. While each client comes with their own story of struggle, we give priority to clients who have mental health disabilities, as they often have the most difficulty navigating the legal system without representation. Our office utilizes a holistic approach to the problems our clients face by providing both legal representation and supporting social services.

About the job:

The Director/Managing Attorney of the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of this special project of the Justice & Diversity Center. HAP is primarily a staff-based program providing legal services, and supporting social services, to individuals and families in San Francisco who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness. Reports to the Executive Director of JDC and works closely with the Director/Managing Attorney of JDC’s Pro Bono Legal Services Program (PBLS) and the Director of the Immigration Legal Defense Program. The Director/Managing Attorney of HAP directly supervises the Senior Supervising Attorney and Supervising Attorneys at HAP, the JDC Social Services Director, and with the Development and Finance staff. The Director/Managing Attorney is responsible for overseeing the operations of HAP, the work of approximately 20 employees at the HAP office, including the professional, administrative, and clerical staff at HAP ( Supervising Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, Social Service Director, Advocates, Interns, and support staff); for preparing and managing the project budget; for effectively integrating pro bono work into the project when appropriate; and for insuring that legal and supporting social services are provided to San Francisco’s most indigent and disabled residents as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The Director/Managing Attorney of HAP also shares responsibility with the Director/Managing Attorneys of JDC’s downtown office for meeting regularly with senior level management to address pending JDC issues, co-chairing Project Heads meetings, attending BASF Executive Staff meetings, and attending and reporting to the Executive Committee of the JDC Board of Directors, and the full JDC Board of Directors. Under the guidance of the JDC Director of Development, the Director/Managing Attorney of HAP participates in fundraising and supporting grant opportunities as appropriate. The Director/Managing Attorney of HAP will also work with the Diversity Director, to help ensure the success and integration of all JDC projects.

Education and Experience:

· License to practice law in the State of California, with minimum of ten years of experience.

· Demonstrated experience in public interest law and direct legal services to persons who are indigent and/or have mental health disabilities and/or other disadvantaged communities.

· At least five years of supervisory experience.

Skills and Requirements:

Oversee the operations (staff and administrative) in the HAP offices.
Oversee operation of the provision of legal services to homeless and at-risk persons, by staff and volunteers.
Supervise the Senior Supervising Attorney, the Supervising Attorneys, the Database Administrator, and work with the Supervising Attorneys and the Social Service Director on issues related to their supervision of less senior staff
Supervise the Social Service Director of JDC and facilitate the integration of legal and social services in a holistic service delivery model.
Coordinate multiple special projects (e.g. SSI Project, HSH Legal Services, eviction defense, Immigration services, CARE Court, other special short term projects (e.g. Census)). Delegate responsibility for day-to-day supervision of projects to Supervising Attorneys as appropriate.
Contribute to the management functions of JDC, by working closely with the Executive Director of JDC and the Director/Managing Attorneys of the JDC projects based out of the Downtown office through participation in JDC management staff meetings.
Represent JDC and HAP in meetings with government and foundation funders, city government agencies, non-profits, and other persons, agencies, or entities as appropriate; participate in relevant community workgroups.
Assist Development Director/Grants Manager in formulating proposals to potential funders, including determining possible outcomes and appropriate objectives, drafting language for proposals. Participate in planning meetings for possible new collaborations with other agencies, attend meetings and workgroups required by funding sources, and provide testimony in support of funding proposals. Participate in individual donor and other fundraising efforts as appropriate.
Work with Accounting Department in development of budgets for proposals and contracts, and to resolve ongoing issues related to invoices and billing.
Prepare periodic reports to multiple funders on outcomes, including statistics and narrative descriptions of project accomplishments. Participate in periodic site and program monitoring by funders.
Work with Grants Manager/Development staff to formulate and assure compliance with contracts with government and private funders.
Develop and produce training materials for staff and volunteers as needed, and participate in trainings and conferences on HAP and HAP programs.
Meet and work with other agencies on ongoing collaborative efforts (including, e.g., the Homeless Emergency Service Providers Association, the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Tenant Right to Counsel, Swords to Plowshares.)
Oversee and participate regularly in the HAP intake process, evaluation of cases for merit and future placement, and the placement of cases with staff and volunteer advocates and attorneys.
With other attorney staff, recruit, train, and supervise volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students.
Maintain relationships with other homeless service providers and other legal and social service agencies in San Francisco.
Develop, with the Management team, policies regarding provision of HAP services, including types of programs, special projects, personnel policy, and policies regarding parameters of services.
Prepare or oversee preparation of all employee evaluations at HAP.
Respond to emergencies (in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Human Resources Director and the BASF Facilities Manager) in the office, including interfacing with clients, police or emergency responders.
Respond to client complaints or grievances, complaints from or about volunteers, staff, or other agencies, or problems with clients or volunteers.
Attend JDC Project Heads meetings, and co-chair meetings with Director/Managing Attorneys of other JDC projects.
Participate in one-on-one standing meetings with the Executive Director of JDC
Attend BASF Executive Staff meetings
Attend JDC Board of Director Executive Committee meetings.
Attend meetings of and report out to JDC Board of Directors.
Create job descriptions for new HAP hires when needed, interact with Human Resources about hiring needs and decisions, review materials from employment applicants and participate in interviewing and hiring decisions for HAP positions.
Participate in discussions on how to improve programs and projects for all of JDC.
Participate as needed in the evolution of the database, specifically insuring that provisions are made to measure outcomes required by HAP contracts.
With BASF/JDC Facilities Manager, handle issues regarding the HAP office space and HAP building, including but not limited to repairs, inspections and security issues.
Provide direct client service as needed to fulfill contract objectives, , including intake, counseling and advice, brief service and full representation.
Meet regularly with HAP Supervising Attorneys and HAP Director of Social Services.
Prepare articles and other publications as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the JDC Executive Director.

Why Work For Us:

We offer a collaborative, diverse and progressive work culture, and are committed to our mission and values. Additionally, we have a standard 35-hour workweek and generous holiday and vacation benefits.

We also offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pretax commuter, health, and dependent care accounts, employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and a retirement and profit-sharing benefit, and more!

Equal Opportunity Employer

JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws. JDC welcomes diversity in the workplace.