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Director of Christian Legal Aid
Christian Legal Society
Springfield, VA

Christian Legal Society (CLS), founded in 1961, is a fellowship of Christians dedicated to serving Jesus Christ through the practice of law (Attorney Ministries), the defense of life and religious freedom (the Center for Law & Religious Freedom), the nurturing and encouragement of Christian law students (Law Student Ministries), and the provision of Christian legal aid to the poor and needy (Christian Legal Aid). These are the four pillars by which CLS serves Christians and society in the field of law.

CLS seeks an attorney or non-attorney with experience in a legal aid program, or related organization, to lead its national Christian Legal Aid (CLA) program out of its Washington, D.C. metro office (Springfield, VA). The mission of the CLA program is to “Seek justice with the love of God through enabling and encouraging the provision of Christian legal assistance to the poor and needy.” Specifically, the CLA program provides resources, training, and support to a network of local CLA clinics across the country, as well as assistance to attorneys interested in starting new CLA clinics. The Director will help advance the cause of access to justice for those in need and promote the biblical call to: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8).

Responsibilities include:

• Directing, managing, and administering the CLA program.
• Providing training and coaching to CLA leaders, clinic staff and volunteers, and founders of new clinics.
• Organizing an annual Legal Aid Summit (part of the CLS National Conference) and regional CLA retreats.
• Organizing webinars and online gatherings on topics of interest to CLA leaders, staff, and volunteers.
• Compiling a monthly newsletter on topics of interest for CLA leaders, staff, volunteers, and other CLS members interested in CLA.
• Collating resources for the benefit of existing and new CLA clinics.
• Building and fostering relationships among CLA clinic leaders.
• Writing articles, speaking, and generally promoting Christian Legal Aid and other issues related to legal justice and serving the poor and needy with the love of Christ.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Five or more years of management and leadership experience as staff or volunteer, in a legal aid program or other nonprofit, preferably in a faith-based organization.
• J.D. degree and legal practice experience preferred; alternatively, significant experience and knowledge of legal justice issues and legal issues faced by low-income people such as evictions, wage theft, aggressive collection practices, family law disputes, domestic violence, etc.
• Mature Christian faith.
• Ability to work independently in planning and implementing programs.
• Ability to articulate the scriptural basis of justice for the poor and needy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and relationship-building skills.
• A heart for serving the poor and needy with the love of Christ.

TO APPLY

All staff must affirm and agree with the CLS Statement of Faith and Community Life Statement. Qualified candidates should submit the following in one PDF file with your name in the file name to CLSHQ@clsnet.org:

• Resume.
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position with an emphasis on how your experience aligns with the position’s responsibilities.
• Two writing samples of any kind, preferably at least one on a topic related to legal aid or justice issues.

CLS offers a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Posted 10/17/22