Director of Pro Bono

Position Description

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law.

Public Counsel has a full-time staff of over 160. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Chief Advocacy Officer, the Director of Pro Bono leads Public Counsel’s nationally recognized pro bono program and plays a central role in strengthening the organization’s ability to serve clients through strategic partnerships with the private bar. This is a senior, highly relational leadership role designed for a technologically savvy pro bono professional with significant experience managing programs at law firms, corporate legal departments, or large nonprofits. The Director will cultivate and sustain deep relationships with law firm partners, corporate counsel, bar associations, and other professional organizations, ensuring that pro bono placements are both strategic and impactful. The Director works closely with Directing Attorneys and staff across Public Counsel’s legal teams to coordinate pro bono efforts, optimize volunteer engagement, and ensure alignment with organizational advocacy priorities. The Director supervises the two-member Pro Bono team and collaborates closely with Development, Grants, Communications, and IT teams to elevate the visibility, impact, and sustainability of pro bono partnerships.

Roles & Responsibilities

Pro Bono Strategy, Program Assessment, and Systems Development

Assess Public Counsel’s current pro bono structure, practices, and systems, working closely with staff across legal teams to identify opportunities for growth

Develop and implement strategies, including those rooted in technology such as AI, to strengthen coordination, efficiency, and impact across the organization’s pro bono program

Refine systems and processes that support effective case placement, volunteer engagement, and pro bono project management

Balance strategic program development with operational execution, including troubleshooting challenges that arise in ongoing pro bono matters

Monitor pro bono engagement, track volunteer contributions, and ensure that systems support effective reporting and compliance requirements

Internal Collaboration and Organizational Partnership

Build strong relationships with Directing Attorneys, staff attorneys, and advocates across Public Counsel’s legal teams, including those involved in direct services, clinics, impact litigation, and policy advocacy

Work collaboratively with staff to identify appropriate pro bono opportunities that advance Public Counsel’s mission and ensure that volunteer resources align with program needs

Support staff by developing tools, trainings, and guidance to enhance their growth, particularly for those staff new to working with pro bono volunteers

Convene periodic internal discussions to identify emerging challenges, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across teams

Directly supervise the Manager of Volunteer Programs & Operations and the Disaster Recovery Program Manager, and assume ultimate responsibility for Public Counsel’s volunteer initiatives, including the summer intern program

External Partnerships, Law Firm Engagement, and Resource Development

Cultivate and maintain deep relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, bar associations, and other partners—including Public Counsel’s board members—that lead to meaningful and sustained pro bono placements across practice areas

Develop and manage pro bono awards, recognition events, and other public-facing initiatives to celebrate volunteer contributions

Collect and manage feedback from volunteers and partner organizations to ensure program quality and responsiveness

Represent Public Counsel on committees and in meetings, trainings, and local, regional, and national conferences to advance organizational leadership in the pro bono community

Collaborate with the Development, Grants, and Communications teams to highlight the impact of pro bono partnerships and support fundraising and donor engagement

Client-Centered Pro Bono Engagement and Volunteer Support

Ensure that all pro bono engagements prioritize the needs, dignity, and goals of Public Counsel’s clients and communities, including through social work integration where possible

Ensure pro bono volunteers receive appropriate training, supervision, and support to provide high-quality, culturally responsive representation

Promote trauma-informed and client-centered legal advocacy among pro bono partners

Navigate power dynamics that may arise with law firms while ensuring that client well-being and organizational values remain a top priority, including by stepping in to help resolve challenges between staff and pro bono partners when necessary

Promote language justice practices, including working with translators and interpreters and recruiting volunteers with diverse language skills