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Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #372
Founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law, the Animal Legal Defense Fund blazes the trail for stronger enforcement of anti-cruelty laws and more humane treatment of animals in every corner of American life.
Animal Legal Defense Fund — aldf.org
Litigation Program Director
Position Objectives:
Consistent with ALDF’s overarching organizational strategy, business plan, and budget the Director of the Litigation Program (“LP”) is responsible for the day-to-day management of ALDF’s Litigation Program, including the development of effective civil litigation goals and strategies as well as the management of research and cases.
The Director is also responsible for managing and leading the Litigation Program staff, and for ensuring that the strategic objectives and tactical goals of the program are achieved on schedule and within budget.
Furthermore, the Director is responsible for working closely with the Executive Director, the Chief Programs Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, and other ALDF Directors as a member of the ALDF Leadership Team, as well as for facilitating and developing donor relationships with key grantors who support or are interested in supporting ALDF in coordination with ALDF’s Development Director. Finally, the Director is responsible, along with other members of the ALDF Leadership Team, for managing the day-to-day operations of ALDF within the defined strategic and financial envelope established by the ALDF strategic plan, the ALDF business plan, and the ALDF budget.
Essential Responsibilities:
Work with ALDF leadership to develop effective litigation goals and strategies, including identification of key areas of the law to be developed, theories of strategic impact litigation, and novel causes of action that support ALDF’s mission and strategic goals.
Oversee and manage all civil litigation research and cases, including management of a comprehensive project docket and delegation of tasks to staff attorneys, contract and pro bono attorneys, fellows and clerks, as well as confirmation of progress on all projects.
Develop an annual program budget and business plan and monitor program operations to assure program and budget goals are met.
Coordinate and collaborate with Criminal Justice Program staff on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components.
Coordinate, as needed, with the Animal Law Program staff.
Coordinate, as needed, with the Legislative Affairs Program staff.
Provide reports on program activities and finances on a quarterly basis and when required by Chief Programs Officer and other members of the Leadership Team, including the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer.
Evaluate the work product of staff attorneys, fellows, support staff, contract and pro bono attorneys, and law clerks to ensure that competent, professional, and high-quality work is produced on behalf of ALDF.
Provide general management, leadership, and administrative oversight of the Litigation Program:
Supervise, manage, and professionally develop the LP staff.
Maintain accurate records of activities and expenditures, with special emphasis on working with the ALDF Finance Director on tracking restricted funding and collaborating with the ALDF Development Director on donor reporting.
Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.
Work with Communications, Development, and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to ensure that staff attorneys propose, draft, proof read and/or edit content on cases and legal developments for the ALDF web-site, blogs, e-Update, e-alerts, newsletters, donor mailings, etc. in a timely fashion.
As a member of ALDF’s Leadership Team, work with Program Directors and Executive Staff to develop short and long-term strategies for ALDF’s legal work, and to actively contribute to maintaining a culture of teamwork and mutual respect throughout the organization:
Work closely with the other Program Directors to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of mutual program and organizational goals.
Assist the Executive Director, Chief Programs Officer, and Development Director to support ALDF’s development goals as needed.
Participate in leadership and strategic meetings that shape and determine both the long-term and short-term organizational goals, as well as the three-year strategic plan, for ALDF.
As a member of the Leadership Team, work with your peers to manage ALDF’s day-to-day execution of its business within the defined strategic and financial envelope established by the ALDF strategic plan, the ALDF business plan, and the ALDF budget consistent with ALDF’s core values.
Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning LP cases, animal law civil cases in general, and civil procedures and civil legal strategy.
Serve as media contact or spokesperson for Litigation Program.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will:
Understand and be fully committed to the vision, mission, and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Have a minimum of seven years’ experience in animal protection litigation and litigation management in comparable nonprofit organization(s) or equivalent, including experience with a variety of forms of animal exploitation, and a track record of developing novel strategic impact litigation and precedent.
Have substantial experience managing managers as well as individual contributors, and have considerable experience managing in a matrixed organizational environment.
Have a clear vision of the role civil litigation plays in the development of animal law and how that development relates to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Have a clear vision of the ultimate goals of the Animal Legal Defense Fund in using civil litigation to alleviate animals’ suffering in the short-term and to transform animals’ status in the long-term.
Have excellent organizational and prioritization skills and be able to meet deadlines.
Have the demonstrated ability to implement vision, to think strategically, to solve problems creatively, and to exercise excellent judgment.
Have a facilitative, collaborative, and team-oriented work style.
Have substantial experience supervising and mentoring staff, as well as supporting professional and leadership development.
Be an excellent communicator and writer with experience as a spokesperson who can articulate messages to different audiences.
Have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with Board members, staff, donors, colleagues, and the media.
Be “computer literate,” comfortable with Information Technology, and have significant experience with software applications, including, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other applications.
Travel:
The Litigation Program Director must be able to frequently travel to conferences, trainings, meetings, and other events as required (up to six trips per year).
Work Environment:
The workplace is a busy, two-story office located in Cotati, California. The workplace environment is business casual and includes companion animals. Products made from animals or animal parts are prohibited in the office. Working remotely is also supported.
How to Apply
https://aldf.org/article/employment-opportunities/entry/14248/
Applicants should email a cover letter and resume (in PDF format only) to the attention of the Chief Programs Officer at lpjobs@aldf.org (no phone calls, please). Additionally, please include “LP Director” in your email subject header.