Legal Clinic Director

About Equality Ohio 

Our Vision | An Ohio where people are welcome, affirmed, and flourishing.

Our Mission | Equality Ohio identifies and transforms systems and institutions so LGBTQ+ Ohioans can
fully access legal and lived equality.

With a combined board of 13 individuals and a staff of 18+, Equality Ohio Education Fund and Equality Ohio, are the premier statewide LGBTQ education and advocacy organizations dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ equality in the Buckeye State.

Equality Ohio was founded in 2005 by a group of 65 dedicated LGBT activists and allies from all corners of Ohio after voters passed a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage and civil unions. Over a decade later, Equality Ohio’s work is broad and focuses on multiple aspects of LGBTQ equality in Ohio.

Equality Ohio has and continues to change hearts, minds, and laws to create an Ohio where people are welcome, affirmed, and flourishing. In recent years, Ohio has seen an uptick in attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, putting Equality Ohio at the forefront of some of the highest-profile and highest-stakes legislative battles in the country. 

What We’re Looking For: Position Overview

IMPACT STATEMENT | How does this position advance our vision and mission?

Equality Ohio is looking for our next Legal Clinic Director. This person will lead and manage our statewide legal clinic, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to LGBTQ+ individuals. This role involves overseeing day-to-day operations, developing and implementing strategic initiatives, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity within the clinic. The ideal candidate will be a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights with a strong background in legal services and nonprofit management.

Equality Ohio is dedicated to promoting and protecting the legal rights of LGBTQ+ communities across the state by providing accessible and affordable legal assistance. We strive to empower individuals through advocacy, education, and direct legal services, fostering a just and inclusive society.

Position Details

SUPERVISOR | Executive Director

SALARY RANGE | $105,000 - 120,000

CLASSIFICATION | Full-Time Exempt

LOCATION |  Columbus, Ohio

This position will require consistent presence in Columbus. We also have physical offices in Columbus and Cleveland, and we are a hybrid remote / in-person work environment. Some travel will be required. 

START DATE | March/April 2025

DUTIES | What are this position's activities, responsibilities, and deliverables?

The overarching objectives of the Legal Clinic Director include the following:

• Leadership & Management
• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the legal clinic.
• Supervise, mentor, and support a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
• Assist with complex case strategies.
• Supervise intake plan and provision of services.
• Ensure the clinic operates in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
• Work closely with the Executive Director on the design, scope, expansion, and vision of the legal clinic and how it fits within Equality Ohio’s overall strategic plan.
• Supervising  x number of humans who are engaging in these types of cases 

• Program Development
• Develop and implement programs and initiatives to address the legal needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Collaborate with community partners, stakeholders, and other organizations to enhance service delivery.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, making adjustments as needed.

• Client Services
• Oversee the provision of direct legal services, including consultations, representation, and referrals.
• Providing direct representation for clients regionally in targeted areas of law including: Discrimination Advocacy, Name and Gender Marker Change, Expungements/Record Sealing, Medical Insurance Denials (limited to Gender Affirming Care denials in private health insurance), etc. 
• Maintain a client-centered approach, ensuring services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Maintain a caseload based on capacity, assist with coverage when staff attorneys are out of office. 
• Oversee the team that manages the referral and follow-up of referrals to outside social service agencies or attorneys as appropriate. 
• Oversee the team that updates and maintains the referral database of  LGBTQ and affirming counselors, organizations, and agencies nearest in proximity to their location.
  
• Oversee Family Law Practice 
• Provide direct supervision of the family law staff at Equality Ohio.
• Oversee the team that manages caseload management, intake, and development of the family law/protection order cases across the state.
• Serve as second chair for all family law cases. 
• Travel to family-law trials across the state, as-needed.
• Provide weekly individualized supervision for family law staff.
  
• Oversee Opportunity Port Project 
• Assist with development and oversight of the Opportunity Port Program in Columbus.
• Provide direct representation over record sealing and expungement cases out of the Central Ohio region, and supervise attorneys providing representation.
• Maintain a caseload of 7-10 expungement and record sealing cases.
• Develop a minimum of 4 yearly Opportunity Port sessions with LGBTQ organizations around the Columbus area.
  
• Outreach & Education
• Develop, design, and implement outreach strategies.
• Conduct community outreach to raise awareness about available legal services.
• Provide legal education and training to community members, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Outreach and connect with local area non-profits in the provision of collaboration.
• Engage in continuous outreach to LGBTQ  & Allied attorneys, legal-serving organizations, and LGBTQ-serving organizations.
• Assist in the creation of LGBTQ Know-Your-Rights pamphlets, materials, videos and brochures, particularly as it pertains to human trafficking vulnerabilities and the LGBTQ population;
• Represent the organization at public events, forums, and in the media.

• Administration & Fundraising
• Manage the clinic’s budget, resources, and reporting requirements.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and donations.
• Prepare reports and presentations for the board, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with development in the drafting and monitoring of legal clinic grants and reporting.
• Monitor monthly reporting tasks.
  
• Other duties as assigned 

Who We’re Looking For: Qualifications, Skills, Profile, & Work Environment

QUALIFICATIONS | What backgrounds, skills, and experiences are we looking for?

Candidates are required to be/have:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Ohio, in good standing.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in legal services, with a focus on LGBTQ+ rights preferred.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Unwavering commitment to addressing the needs and respecting the lived experiences of diverse LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• Awareness of the issue priorities, policy battles, and experiences of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• Experience leading and managing others
• Experience delivering training content, presentations, slide shows, etc.
• Demonstrated passion for public interest and social justice work
• Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills
• Ability to work with diverse groups in an intersectional manner and across all levels of organizations with a commitment to teamwork
• Effective public speaking and presentation skills
• Demonstrated reliability, creativity, versatility, and initiative
• Proficiency with Office (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Drive, and LexisNexis/Westlaw or other legal research software 
• Have a valid driver’s license, regular access to a vehicle with insurance, and ability to travel across the state 

We prefer but do not require the following qualifications and skills:

• Advanced degree in political science, public administration, organizational development or related field 
• Two or more years of attorney experience in the nonprofit field 
• Two or more years experience in nonprofit management and program development.
• A strong understanding of Ohio state politics and its major players
• Experience delivering training content, presentations, slide shows, etc.
• Experience designing training curriculum
• Direct experience working at an LGBTQ+ or trans-focused movement organization
• Ability to draft and/or recite talking points and press materials
• Specific expertise in our key online collaboration platforms, including GSuite and Google Drive, Zoom, Slack, Signal, and Every Action
• Spanish speaker
• Facilitation skills

PROFILE | What are the characteristics of a successful candidate for this position?

Successful candidates should be/have:

• Commitment to Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values, with a particular focus on racial justice.
• Passionate about LGBTQ+ equality broadly and public policy and advocacy work specifically.
• A collaborative team player with an appreciation for diverse approaches to the work.
• The flexibility, humor, and humility to thrive in a fast-paced hybrid remote and in-person environment.
• Resourceful, adaptable, patient, and flexible to navigate complex situations in real-time.
• Charismatic and diplomatic to cultivate, nurture, and maintain relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders and navigate statehouse and coalition dynamics.
• Willing to serve as a public face of EO when needed, including in media interviews, as a social media influencer, and more.
• Attention to detail, exceptional writing skills, and the ability to track, lead, and/or implement multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Have excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills, along with effective public speaking and presentation skills.
• Be able to effectively manage competing priorities and re-prioritize as needed. 
• Self-motivated and able to work independently without constant direct staff contact.

Work Environment

Schedule

Equality Ohio’s regular business hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Non-exempt employees shall be permitted a 30-minute paid lunch each day. All employees shall be entitled to a fifteen (15) minute break for each four (4) hour period worked. The default regular work week shall consist of forty (40) hours per week.

Due to the nature of the work of Equality Ohio - and this position in particular -  employees may have to work weeknights and weekends. Employees may be permitted to balance time to equalize their workload and account for the flexibility needed to accomplish the above-mentioned work. To provide opportunities for internal meetings, employees are generally expected to establish a schedule such that they are typically available for work meetings during the hours between 9:00am and 4:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, recognizing that circumstances may at times require a meeting to take place outside of this timeframe. As an organization, we expressly strive to limit the number of meetings on Fridays after 12:00 noon.

Travel

Candidates should be able to travel independently across the state, sometimes overnight. In-state travel outside of Columbus is estimated at approximately two (2) to four (4) times per month. Out-of-state travel may occur up to three (3) or more times per year.  Travel will be reimbursed or paid for directly per EO’s internal policies. Mileage is reimbursed at the standard IRS rate. Per diems are provided and vary based on in-state or out-of-state travel.  

Physical Demands

The nature of this position requires nearly constant sedentary positions, including significant work at a computer (e.g. typing, document creation, database management, reading, tracking, video conferences, phone calls, etc.) and participation in meetings, legislative hearings, and more. There may be the occasional need to lift and move furniture, tables, etc. at events. Additionally, as this position requires one to be in the statehouse and attend various public events, there may be instances where the person encounters weather and outdoor elements, temperature fluctuations, enclosed spaces, and noisy environments. Accommodations can and will be made for candidates who may not be able to meet some of the physical demands outlined.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary Range: $105,000 - $120,000
• Benefits, including:
• Generous time off package, including paid vacation after six months of employment, 10 paid holidays, 15 days of paid organizational shutdown breaks, 2 weeks of paid sick leave per year, paid family and medical leave, and more.
• Health and vision insurance with minimal employee contribution ($105 per month + $105 per month for optional family coverage)
• Employee-paid dental insurance
• Paid Family Leave and sabbatical opportunities based on length of service 
• FSA with employer $25 per month contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance 
• Access to optional employee-paid insurance coverage, including long-term disability coverage.
• 403-B plan with employer matching
• Digital security services. 
• Multiple stipend opportunities, including Bring Your Own Device, cell phone, internet, and professional development stipends. 
• Access to a Bodily Autonomy Assistance Fund 
  

Equity Commitment

Studies have shown that women, non-binary folks, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and those with gender-expansive identities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Equality Ohio does not discriminate on any basis, including sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, physical or mental ability or disability, race, religion, sexual orientation; access to public benefits and/or housing voucher assistance; other sources of income that do not conflict with the fundamental values or needs of the organization; veteran status; criminal record provided the past convictions do not impact funding, the organization’s values and mission, the employee’s ability to perform their core job duties, and licensing requirements; or any other characteristic protected by law.