MacArthur Justice Center
Human Resources Director, Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center
The National Legal Director serves as a thought leader, manager, and litigation supervisor, working collaboratively to develop and execute MJC’s legal strategy across the organization.
What You’ll Do
Develop and refine the overall strategic direction for MJC’s legal work to pursue its mission, values, and strategic goals most effectively in collaboration with the Executive Director and office directors.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and leadership team in actualizing MJC’s mission.
Regularly interface with MJC’s Managing Director of Operations, Director of Communications, and Director of Development to maximize strategic alignment.
Participate in Board meetings and serve as a corporate officer.
Implementation & Management of Legal Program
Lead the design and implementation of a realistic and concrete plan to execute the organization’s legal strategy.
Oversee MJC’s legal function, including direct supervision of the organization’s five office directors and indirect oversight of approximately 50 legal professionals.
Motivate, nurture, and connect a diverse, inclusive, and high‑performing team.
Direct the case approval process, reviewing proposed new matters for mission alignment and impact, and ensuring adequate staffing and resources prior to approval by the Executive Director.
Develop performance‑management metrics and a professional‑development program for all legal professionals in partnership with the Managing Director of Operations and Director of Human Resources.
Develop routines to assess the impact of MJC’s legal work and support a culture of constant learning and improvement in partnership with office directors and the Director of Human Resources.
Advise and serve as a thought partner on case strategy as necessary or requested by office directors.
Where necessary, oversee, edit, and approve major filings and litigation decisions in particularly high‑profile or complex matters.
External Relations & Development
Build external relationships and serve as an advocate for MJC with external audiences.
Maintain existing external partnerships and identify and build relationships with potential new partners and allies, including law firms that support our work as co‑counsel or provide litigation support.
Act as spokesperson with external audiences concerning organization‑wide advocacy, including the media and funders.
Work collaboratively with other organizational leaders to cultivate and pursue development opportunities for MJC.
Legal Ethics and Compliance
Serve as the organization’s primary contact for important issues of professional responsibility and legal ethics.
Counsel MJC on compliance requirements and risk mitigation.
Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s Degree and J.D. degree required.
Skills and Experience
At least 10 years of litigation experience, including complex civil rights litigation.
At least 5 years of experience managing others in litigation, including lawyers, legal fellows, interns, and paralegals.
Experience overseeing a legal practice, including extensive collaboration with outside co‑counsel and private law firms.
Creative and strategic thinking about the direction of a legal program.
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
High emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
Ability to plan, manage, and be decisive under tight deadlines, multitasking and performing in fast‑paced, high‑pressure situations.
Ability to collaborate across offices, departments, and geographies and work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Understanding of the role litigation plays in exposing injustice, raising visibility, and movement building.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote the legal program.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Commitments
A collaborative and team‑driven management style appropriate to leading highly accomplished office directors; a first‑among‑equals approach that values collaboration, trust, and shared vision.
Alignment with MacArthur Justice Center’s mission and values.
A passion and demonstrated interest in social justice reform; experience in the criminal legal system, public policy, or related fields preferred.
Ability to move start‑up projects from concept to completion and adapt based on learning and input, while demonstrating initiative, responsiveness, and thoughtfulness.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking, with the ability to manage stressful situations.
Excellent judgment, integrity, and commitment to personal responsibility and accountability.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to make complex issues understandable and relevant to external audiences.
Ability to prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively as part of a team to support others in doing the same.
Willingness to honor the diverse experiences of MJC staff and clients.
License and Certifications Admission to a state bar, and willingness to obtain admission to the state where the National Legal Director will be based within one year of hiring.
Travel Moderate domestic travel for organizational meetings, travel to state offices, and case‑related needs.
Location MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and requires some days in the office each week. The National Legal Director must reside within commuting distance to any of the following offices: Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; New Orleans, LA; or Oxford, MS.
To Apply
A cover letter addressing your experience relevant to the considerations above.
A resume.
Professional references.
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What You’ll Do
Develop and refine the overall strategic direction for MJC’s legal work to pursue its mission, values, and strategic goals most effectively in collaboration with the Executive Director and office directors.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and leadership team in actualizing MJC’s mission.
Regularly interface with MJC’s Managing Director of Operations, Director of Communications, and Director of Development to maximize strategic alignment.
Participate in Board meetings and serve as a corporate officer.
Implementation & Management of Legal Program
Lead the design and implementation of a realistic and concrete plan to execute the organization’s legal strategy.
Oversee MJC’s legal function, including direct supervision of the organization’s five office directors and indirect oversight of approximately 50 legal professionals.
Motivate, nurture, and connect a diverse, inclusive, and high‑performing team.
Direct the case approval process, reviewing proposed new matters for mission alignment and impact, and ensuring adequate staffing and resources prior to approval by the Executive Director.
Develop performance‑management metrics and a professional‑development program for all legal professionals in partnership with the Managing Director of Operations and Director of Human Resources.
Develop routines to assess the impact of MJC’s legal work and support a culture of constant learning and improvement in partnership with office directors and the Director of Human Resources.
Advise and serve as a thought partner on case strategy as necessary or requested by office directors.
Where necessary, oversee, edit, and approve major filings and litigation decisions in particularly high‑profile or complex matters.
External Relations & Development
Build external relationships and serve as an advocate for MJC with external audiences.
Maintain existing external partnerships and identify and build relationships with potential new partners and allies, including law firms that support our work as co‑counsel or provide litigation support.
Act as spokesperson with external audiences concerning organization‑wide advocacy, including the media and funders.
Work collaboratively with other organizational leaders to cultivate and pursue development opportunities for MJC.
Legal Ethics and Compliance
Serve as the organization’s primary contact for important issues of professional responsibility and legal ethics.
Counsel MJC on compliance requirements and risk mitigation.
Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s Degree and J.D. degree required.
Skills and Experience
At least 10 years of litigation experience, including complex civil rights litigation.
At least 5 years of experience managing others in litigation, including lawyers, legal fellows, interns, and paralegals.
Experience overseeing a legal practice, including extensive collaboration with outside co‑counsel and private law firms.
Creative and strategic thinking about the direction of a legal program.
Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
High emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
Ability to plan, manage, and be decisive under tight deadlines, multitasking and performing in fast‑paced, high‑pressure situations.
Ability to collaborate across offices, departments, and geographies and work effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Understanding of the role litigation plays in exposing injustice, raising visibility, and movement building.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to promote the legal program.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Commitments
A collaborative and team‑driven management style appropriate to leading highly accomplished office directors; a first‑among‑equals approach that values collaboration, trust, and shared vision.
Alignment with MacArthur Justice Center’s mission and values.
A passion and demonstrated interest in social justice reform; experience in the criminal legal system, public policy, or related fields preferred.
Ability to move start‑up projects from concept to completion and adapt based on learning and input, while demonstrating initiative, responsiveness, and thoughtfulness.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking, with the ability to manage stressful situations.
Excellent judgment, integrity, and commitment to personal responsibility and accountability.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to make complex issues understandable and relevant to external audiences.
Ability to prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively as part of a team to support others in doing the same.
Willingness to honor the diverse experiences of MJC staff and clients.
License and Certifications Admission to a state bar, and willingness to obtain admission to the state where the National Legal Director will be based within one year of hiring.
Travel Moderate domestic travel for organizational meetings, travel to state offices, and case‑related needs.
Location MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and requires some days in the office each week. The National Legal Director must reside within commuting distance to any of the following offices: Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; New Orleans, LA; or Oxford, MS.
To Apply
A cover letter addressing your experience relevant to the considerations above.
A resume.
Professional references.
#J-18808-Ljbffr