HOUSTON VOLUNTEER LAWYERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers (“HVL) is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is the pro bono legal aid arm of the Houston Bar Association (“HBA”). HVL promotes access to justice for individuals in the Houston area by assisting those who cannot afford legal representation in civil matters. We advance this mission by:

• connecting those in need of legal assistance with volunteer lawyers;
• inspiring, supporting, and empowering lawyers to volunteer their services; and
• working in the community through strategic partnerships to provide legal information, education, and support.

 

Founded in 1981, HVL helps thousands of people each year with their most pressing legal needs, such as child custody, landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, guardianship, and probate. HVL’s purpose is to fill this gap in the civil justice system by connecting eligible clients with private attorneys who volunteer their time. Volunteer attorneys collectively donate the equivalent of approximately $ 8 million annually in free legal services. However, six million Texans qualify for legal aid, including over half a million in Houston alone; and there are less than 90,000 lawyers statewide.

 

TITLE: Executive Director

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Chair, Board of Directors

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter, CV, and 3 references to Recruitment@hvlp.org by February 24, 2023.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. Strategic Leadership – The Executive Director will:

• Be responsible for the successful leadership and management of HVL according to policy decisions and strategic direction set by the HVL Board of Directors (“HVL Board”);
• Serve as the primary staff contact to the HVL Board as well as the Boards of Directors of the HBA and the Houston Bar Foundation (“HBF”), and act as a thought partner to these boards to: A  identify, assess and inform these boards of internal and external issues that affect HVL, and B. develop a vision and strategy to guide HVL;
• Attend all HVL Board meetings and, in coordination with the HVL Board Chair, prepare meeting agendas and HVL Board’ goals.
• Develop measurable short- and long-term goals and objectives for HVL, using measurement of these outcomes to assess program effectiveness and make recommendations for future actions.
• Create and perpetuate a culture of collaboration, empowerment, and accountability throughout HVL.
• Act as a spokesperson for HVL and represent HVL to enhance HVL's profile within the Houston legal community, Houston legal aid community and Houston community at large; and
• Establish positive, strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, law firms, funders, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of HVL.

II. Operational planning and management – The Executive Director will:

• Direct and guide the staff to achieve HVL’s mission, vision, and strategy;
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of HVL;
• Ensure that the operation of HVL, including its grants management, meets the expectations of its volunteers, the Houston community, HVL’s Board and HVL’s funders;
• Constantly review and revise internal processes to promote volunteerism among Houston’s lawyers and ensure the delivery of legal aid to qualified individuals in an efficient and effective manner;
• Maintain a working environment that attracts, retains and motivates quality individuals, both staff and volunteers;
• Ensure HVL’s compliance with applicable regulations and grant agreements.
• Oversee the development of an annual operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives to achieve the strategic direction of HVL;
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by HVL contribute to HVL’s mission and reflect the priorities of the HVL Board; and
• Act as a thoughtful leader in anticipating the evolving needs of HVL’s clients and in adapting services and resources accordingly.

• Recruit staff with the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to help further HVL's mission; and
• Coach, mentor and review staff as appropriate to improve performance and ensure performance standards are maintained.

IV. Volunteerism – the Executive Director will:

• Represent HVL to the membership of the HBA, funding sources, other local bars and organizations, media and the public at large.
• Develop an aggressive strategy to drive pro bono volunteer recruitment and retention.
• Engage with HBA staff and the Boards of Directors of the HBA, HBF and HVL to enhance and expand pro bono volunteer recruitment and a spirit of volunteerism among Houston’s lawyers.
• Engage pro bono volunteer leaders in the planning and implementation of service raising activities.
• Strive to build lasting relationships with new and continuing pro bono volunteers and funding sources.
• Personally cultivate a meaningful roster of pro bono coordinators throughout Houston to drive awareness and enhance volunteerism through HVL.

V. Finance and Administration – the Executive Director will:

• Prepare, present, implement and adhere to a comprehensive annual operating budget developed in consultation with the HVL Board Treasurer, to ensure adequate funding for the operation of HVL;
• Ensure comprehensive, timely, regular reports on the revenues, expenditures, and cash flows of HVL are provided to the Finance Committee and the HVL Board; and
• Ensure that HVL complies with all relevant Internal Revenue Service laws and regulations, GAAP, and grant compliance requirements of each funder.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will:

• Motivate attorneys, law firms and legal corporate departments to actively engage in pro bono work so more low-income individuals access justice.
• Develop and implement successful strategies so that pro bono attorneys feel supported and valued.
• Be a licensed attorney in Texas with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in practice which ideally includes a leadership position at either a law firm or non-profit agency;
• Possess strong leadership skills that include leading the development of organizational strategy and goals, inspiring HVL staff to accomplish those goals, and directing the assessment and evaluation of performance relative to those goals;
• Manage business operations of a small business with a staff of approximately 30 and an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million, as well as strong knowledge and demonstrated use of leadership and management principles as related to non-profit/volunteer organizations; and

Demonstrate competence in all or some of the following:

Relationship Building: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.

Leadership: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.

Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

Strategic Thinking: Assess options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.

Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

Ethical Behavior: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

Effective Communication: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.

Decision Making: Assess situations to determine importance, urgency and risk, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

Organization: Set priorities, develop a schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, and activities.

Problem Solving: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the issue.

 

Annual Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $140,000 - $160,000+ commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include employee and dependent health, vision, and dental insurance; a 401k defined contribution retirement plan with a 5% Employer match.

 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is committed to equal opportunity. Houston Volunteer Lawyers does not discriminate against any person based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or other characteristics protected by law. Applicants committed to justice and equality from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities are encouraged to apply.