Pro Bono Service Counsel

General Summary

The position is responsible for supporting the growth and expansion of the State Bar of Michigan’s pro bono initiative. The Pro Bono Services Counsel position is responsible for analysis, design, development, and implementation of the State Bar’s pro bono program. The Pro Bono Services Counsel position works directly in establishing and maintaining relationships with legal aid providers to coordinate statewide initiatives. The position may be responsible for supporting other justice initiatives and general State Bar committee programming work.

Principal Responsibilities

• Support the Pro Bono Involvement Initiative by guiding discussions and proposing policy recommendations; working with the volunteers to implement committee decisions; processing, analyzing, and publicizing data collected by the committee; scheduling and attending meetings; preparing recommendations for committee appointments; recognizing the pro bono accomplishments of the Bar through awards and public relations efforts; developing special pro bono projects and ideas for diverse bar constituencies.
• Support the Michigan Litigation Assistance Partnership Program; assign and track cases, supervise the screening and placement of cases, and maintain comprehensive records within the State Bar’s MILAPP case management system.
• Assist legal aid providers in efforts to recruit volunteers. Build, sustain, and expand the pro bono relationships with law firms, corporations, law schools, and bar associations.
• Support pro bono training efforts around the state; develop plans for provision of training through utilization of internal, bar association, legal services, and commercial training events; coordinate training with appropriate State Bar staff; implement and evaluate each training as planned.
• Conduct outreach to other legal aid providers, bar associations, and non profits in the Michigan community.
• Develop and direct publicity for the State Bar’s pro bono program.
• Coordinate staff support for volunteers. Determine need for staff support to volunteers generally and in specific instances; discuss needs with the Director of External Development and Outreach.
• Budget development and fiscal oversight.
• Represent pro bono in public speaking opportunities, events, and media contact.
• Performance of administrative duties.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director of External Development & Outreach.
• Actively promotes diversity within the office.

Minimum Position Guidelines (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• License to practice law in Michigan.
• Five years of relevant experience as a licensed lawyer in policy, pro bono, equal access, technology, management, and public relations.
• Experience in public speaking, project management, and developing partner relationships with a range of corporate, government, and non-profit partners.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical abilities.
• Demonstrated people management and mentoring skills required.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population required.

Application for Employment

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with this job. This job description is not an employment contract and SBM reserves the right to change this description at any time. SBM is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified candidates should submit resumes with salary history and a completed State Bar application for employment to:

Mary Frook
Director of Human Resources
State Bar of Michigan
306 Townsend St.
Lansing, MI 48933-2012
or e-mail employment@mail.michbar.org