Legal Director - Second Chance Project

Career Opportunity: Legal Director - Second Chance Project with The Ohio Justice & Policy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

Are you a thought leader that enjoys shaping policy legislation who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those impacted by the criminal legal system? Do you enjoy mentoring a team in litigation committed to social justice? If so, we want you to join our team!

OJPC is a nonprofit law firm with offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. We fight for equal justice and fair treatment in all stages of incarceration because every person deserves dignity after their conviction and freedom after their sentence. We offer a spectrum of free legal services, programs, and resources for people in all communities who lack essential support as they navigate the complexities of our criminal legal system. Learn more about OJPC’s mission by visiting:

https://ohiojpc.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-justice-&-policy-center/

Competitive benefits package including 27 PTO days, 13 paid holidays, plus an annual winter break between Christmas and New Year’s.

As the Legal Director - Second Chance Project, you will lead OJPC’s efforts to serve people with criminal records in the community, removing barriers to employment, education, housing, civic engagement, and full community integration. You will manage online and multi-site outreach legal clinics, conduct community education, and supervise a dedicated team.

In addition, as the Legal Director you will:

• Manage a team of Second Chance staff, including attorneys, paralegals, interns/externs, and volunteers; recruit and evaluate interns/externs and volunteers.
• Manage the organization’s assigned cases through the Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project.
• Develop and maintain the sealing and expungement clinic schedule, including online in-house legal clinics and in-person pop-up legal clinics; cultivate relationships with clinic partners (e.g., Cincinnati Works, City of Cincinnati).
• Create legal services delivery mechanisms and case tracking processes, both on paper and electronically; conduct regular audits and suggest improvements.
• Represent individuals in state, federal, and administrative proceedings; provide in-depth legal assistance for pro se clients; offer other advocacy and legal advice.
• Design and conduct community education sessions on legal topics; develop or update educational materials.
• Collaborate with the Development team on funding efforts for the Second Chance Project, including grant writing and reporting.
• Support the Executive Director and Litigation Director on impact litigation for Second Chance clients.
• Research and prepare reports on Second Chance Project goals, results, and management.
• Collaborate with the Policy Director on “second chance” policy reform, including criminal-legal-system reform through research and direct policy advocacy.
• Represent OJPC throughout the community and spread our message.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Law degree and licensed to practice law in Ohio, or willing and able to immediately waive in.
• 5 plus years’ experience:
  • Litigating cases in state or federal court
  • Handling a large docket of cases
  • Recruiting, supervising, and training attorneys, paralegals, law students, interns, and volunteers
  • Grant writing or other fundraising
• Non-profit legal experience preferred
• Experience with criminal justice systems (personal, family, professional, etc.) preferred
• Experience in criminal justice reform advocacy preferred
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and project management skills 
• Experience and enthusiasm for working well with diverse clients (racially, ethnically, geographically, and economically), communities, and colleagues, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to travel throughout the state of Ohio occasionally  

Join our dedicated team and help drive transformative change for those who need it most. You can make a real difference in our community. Apply online at https://grnh.se/a6fd4aab3us.

Employer is EOE/M/F/D/V. No third-party candidates please.