Director of Litigation

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Director of Litigation
Location: Portland, Lewiston, Augusta or Bangor office; Hybrid remote

The Director of Litigation is a key part of Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s leadership and program management team and works collaboratively with program staff around the organization to ensure delivery of high-quality legal services to people in Maine with low incomes. The Director of Litigation encourages and supports effective, strategic, impact litigation to uphold and enforce the rights and dignity of people with low incomes and promotes engaged, responsive leadership and supervision by the organization’s Managing Attorneys. The Director of Litigation reports to the Executive Director.

The four major areas of responsibility for the Director of Litigation are:

Supervision of Managing Attorneys

The Director of Litigation supervises several of PTLA’s Managing Attorneys, who in turn manage units and field offices serving clients in different regions of Maine and with legal needs in different categories of law. This position provides supervision and support to the designated Managing Attorneys in the full range of their job duties, including supervision, case work, project and unit management, the creation of an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration, and other job duties. The Director of Litigation will supervise approximately seven of the organization’s 11 Managing Attorneys, with the goal of ensuring consistent performance by all staff with the metrics associated with their job description. Supervision is expected to ensure high quality legal services, utilization of best practices, development of staff skills and professional growth, and identification of opportunities for impact through litigation. The Director of Litigation works closely with HR and Managing Attorneys to strengthen each person’s ability to provide appropriate individualized support, to effectively address challenges, and to create healthy working relationships among staff. The Director of Litigation, Director of Access and Training, and the Executive Director collaborate to ensure consistent approaches to organizational policy and supervision of all Managing Attorneys. The Director of Litigation and Director of Access and Training cover each other’s work when needed.

Litigation Strategy and Expertise

The Director of Litigation coordinates organization-wide litigation strategy and focus consistent with the program’s priorities and mission, including through review of ongoing litigation efforts for impact. This position provides support and expertise for both administrative and court litigation, monitoring national, state and local trends and best practices for upholding the legal rights of people with low incomes. The Director of Litigation co-counsels some cases anticipated to be particularly complex, including involving jury trials in state and federal court as well as appeals.

The Director of Litigation also provides support and models effective litigation skills and case management for all staff, while providing consultation, advice, and mentorship for staff who are resolving complex questions regarding litigation strategy or developing litigation skills. The Director of Litigation reviews some draft complaints, motions, briefs, and appeals to ensure high standards for PTLA’s work in complex cases. They work with Managing Attorneys to coordinate litigation support, including mooting of selected depositions, trial practice, and oral arguments. The Director of Litigation works with the Director of Access and Training on training plans regarding litigation and advocacy skills and strategy for state and federal court and administrative proceedings.

The Director of Litigation creates systems to identify and address complex legal issues and monitors litigation for impact and results, participating in the setting of standards, protocols and procedures for litigation at the organization. The Director of Litigation identifies and communicates information to staff about legal issues, legislation, cases and other developments affecting PTLA clients. This position also oversees the use of the Litigation Expense Fund to ensure strategic use of funds for expert witnesses, development of evidence, and other costs to ensure effective litigation.

Other Advocacy Leadership

The Director of Litigation also:

- Acts as a catalyst for the identification of systemic issues that affect PTLA’s clients and the development of strategic litigation or other advocacy strategies to address these issues, with a focus on PTLA’s priority areas;
- Consults with litigation directors from other programs about trending legal issues, litigation strategies and efforts, and best practices;
- Supports the performance of the Practice Group Leaders, including providing direction on program-wide policies, best practices, and priorities with respect to different types of legal services;
- Provides leadership on decisions of importance to program mission and execution, such as resolving differences regarding strategy, best practices, issues and impact.
- Assists with the identification of other resources and timely communication with other staff or Board members where appropriate (e.g., to secure co-counseling or moot court preparation for an important legal case.);
- Serves on Pine Tree’s internal Ethics Team, participates in monthly meetings to address ethical questions regarding cases and program policies, and, in conjunction with the Director of Access and Training, provides direct support to staff on these issues;
- Collaborates in a leadership role within the legal services community and the greater legal community of Maine. monitoring and addressing the reputation of the organization within the local community, including through developing and maintaining connections within the civil justice community, with potential funders, with the private bar, and with social service, community advocacy, and other nonprofit agencies;
- Participates in the organization’s legislative and other non-litigation advocacy, consistent with Legal Services Corporation rules and regulations and as requested by the Executive Director.

Senior Management Team

The Director of Litigation is part of the Senior Management Team, which includes:

- Participating in many major areas of organizational decision-making and ongoing review of program performance;
- Ongoing reviews of Pine Tree’s services to ensure compliance with program and funding requirements, community expectations about program performance, and any metrics that have been established with respect to program services (in collaboration with other senior managers);
- Offering leadership, strategic thinking and creativity within the Pine Tree management team as it works to develop or adjust program-wide services, protocols and policies or to respond to staff issues or concerns anywhere in the program;
- Collaborates with the senior management team to represent Pine Tree in meetings with outside individuals like funders, community partners, the Courts, and other government representatives to help promote Pine Tree’s work, facilitate new project opportunities, and be a voice for the legal aid community and Pine Tree’s client population around access to Maine’s justice system;
- Supports the Executive Director with coverage of the Executive Director’s responsibilities when they are unavailable or as delegated, in collaboration with other senior managers.

Qualifications:

The Director of Litigation at Pine Tree should be a licensed Maine attorney with a minimum of five years of relevant experience and two years in leadership or supervisory roles. Applicant must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the state of Maine. This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, the ideal candidate will have:
- Recent extended litigation experience in state and federal courts;
- Experience in leadership and supervisory roles;
- A demonstrated commitment to the provision of high-quality legal services to people with low incomes;
- A demonstrated understanding of complex litigation and a history of creative and tenacious high impact advocacy;
- At least five years of recent litigation experience in state and federal court is preferred, but not required;
- Substantive experience in civil legal issues affecting people with low incomes;
- The ability to teach the practice of law to new staff and volunteers;
- The ability to teach effective litigation skills and case management;
- Experience motivating and managing staff and/or volunteers;
- A demonstrated commitment to strengthening the quality and reputation of the program as a statewide legal aid provider;
- The ability to utilize creative problem-solving in addressing program challenges;
- Enthusiasm for communicating their passion for and commitment to the work to colleagues, employees, and external stakeholders;
- A demonstrated commitment to Pine Tree’s core values and willingness to help staff improve their work across time;
Strong time management, organizational and communication skills.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for PTLA Director of Litigation is currently $91,140 - $128,140, depending on experience.

In addition, PTLA is proud to offer the following:
Employer-paid health insurance with a generous HRA contribution, generous health insurance opt-out benefit, employer-paid dental insurance, employer-paid life and disability insurance, and an annual contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan. Other voluntary options include vision and expanded life insurance. Staff enjoy 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave, generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick leave.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to employing and supporting individuals who are passionate about social justice and have relevant work experience, regardless of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, familial status or experience with poverty, receipt of public assistance, or homelessness