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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).  

CLS is seeking an attorney or non-attorney with experience in a legal aid environment to lead its national Christian Legal Aid (CLA) program out of its Washington, D.C. metro office (Springfield, VA). The CLA Director is responsible for supporting a network of 66 CLA organizations and promoting increased engagement with CLA among Christian attorneys. The Director will be responsible for implementing programs aimed at increasing the impact of CLA member organizations and facilitating a network-wide fellowship of CLA employees and volunteers. The Director will work with the other CLS ministries to help train Christian attorneys on an integrated practice of law that includes a commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of the vulnerable. As such, the CLA Director is responsible for communicating a strong Scriptural base for Christian Legal Aid.    

Responsibilities include: 

• Directing, managing, and administering the CLA program 

• Building and maintaining relationships with CLA leaders 

• Planning and implementing resources to equip CLA attorneys, including online webinars and monthly newsletters 

• Facilitating fellowship among CLA attorneys through in-person and virtual gatherings 

• Coaching individuals through the process of starting and sustaining new CLA organizations 

• Providing training and support for the CLA Fellowship Program 

• Building and administering a CLA Impact Grant program 

• Organizing an annual Legal Aid Summit (part of the CLS National Conference) and regional CLA retreats.  

• Writing articles, speaking, and generally promoting Christian Legal Aid and other issues related to Christian attorneys’ call to pursue justice for the poor and needy with the love of Christ 

• Mobilizing Christian attorneys to become involved with CLA 

The ideal candidate will have:  

• Five or more years of management and leadership experience as staff or volunteer, in a legal aid program, 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. 

• Experience working with nonprofit law 

• Enthusiasm for casting vision and implementing new network-wide programs 

• 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, which can be found on the CLS website. Qualified candidates should submit the following in one PDF file with your name in the file name to CLA@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, such as articles or blog posts, ideally on topics related to legal aid or legal justice issues. 

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

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position but will contact only those to whom we offer an interview. All correspondence should be by email and not by phone.