executive director
The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (Legal Aid) seeks an Executive Director to lead a well-established, innovative, not-for-profit, public interest law firm to the next level of service and commitment to those in critical need throughout the State of Hawai‘i. An excellent, energetic and committed Board of Directors and staff will support the incoming Executive Director.
About the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i
Established in 1950, Legal Aid is the oldest and largest not-for-profit statewide law firm in Hawai‘i, dedicated to addressing critical legal needs through high quality legal advocacy, outreach, and education in pursuit of fairness and justice. Legal Aid primarily assists in the areas of family, housing, consumer, immigration, health and government benefits law with key projects involving work with seniors, children, and those who are houseless.
Legal Aid has nine principal offices on six different islands throughout the State, and over 100 attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff who are dedicated to achieving the vision of “building a just society.” The dedicated staff responds to inquiries from 14,000 individuals each year, and an estimated 7,500 receive legal assistance ranging from advice and counsel to full representation.
Legal Aid has an annual budget of over $8 million derived from more than 40 funding sources, including the Legal Services Corporation, the State of Hawai‘i, foundation grants, Hawai‘i Justice Foundation (IOLTA), government contracts, fee-for-service programs, and private donations.
Legal Aid has nine principal offices on six different islands throughout the State, and over 100 attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff who are dedicated to achieving the vision of “building a just society.” The dedicated staff responds to inquiries from 14,000 individuals each year, and an estimated 7,500 receive legal assistance ranging from advice and counsel to full representation.
Legal Aid has an annual budget of over $8 million derived from more than 40 funding sources, including the Legal Services Corporation, the State of Hawai‘i, foundation grants, Hawai‘i Justice Foundation (IOLTA), government contracts, fee-for-service programs, and private donations.
About the Position
Legal Aid seeks a respected, experienced, and dynamic leader who is passionate about and
has a demonstrated commitment to promoting access to justice. This leader will work with a committed Board of Directors and an excellent, creative, and energetic staff, as well as supportive community advocates, private lawyers, government agencies and the Judiciary. The next Executive Director will build on Legal Aid’s 70-year history to expand and strengthen access to justice, empower communities, and effect systemic change to ensure that it will continue to play a vital role as a leading law firm for the at-risk population in Hawai‘i.
High priority roles and responsibilities for the new Executive Director include:
Minimum Qualifications include:
Preferred Qualifications include:
- A “big picture” thinker
- A problem solver
- A mentor
- An example and steward of high standards
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- An effective delegator
- Motivated and an effective motivator
The ideal candidate will also have the following preferred qualifications:
mission driven charitable organization;
- Financial management experience and acumen;
- A deep commitment to promoting and supporting diversity;
- Demonstrated ability to think creatively and strategically and to plan effectively,
adeptly managing change and seizing opportunities for growth in a complex environment;
- A demonstrated track record of working effectively to achieve desired results; and
- Been an effective developer of talent of staff.
has a demonstrated commitment to promoting access to justice. This leader will work with a committed Board of Directors and an excellent, creative, and energetic staff, as well as supportive community advocates, private lawyers, government agencies and the Judiciary. The next Executive Director will build on Legal Aid’s 70-year history to expand and strengthen access to justice, empower communities, and effect systemic change to ensure that it will continue to play a vital role as a leading law firm for the at-risk population in Hawai‘i.
High priority roles and responsibilities for the new Executive Director include:
- Continuing Legal Aid’s leadership in providing effective and broad-based comprehensive legal assistance to those in need, ranging from pro se assistance to full representation of low income and vulnerable individuals from diverse communities;
- Maintaining and expanding current and traditional sources of funding;
- Increasing and diversifying the financial base for Legal Aid through fundraising and entrepreneurial efforts;
- Continuing and increasing partnerships, relationships and strategic alliances with community leaders and advocates, including other non-profit legal service providers, private lawyers, government agencies, the legislature, political leaders, and the Judiciary;
- Increasing the positive visibility and presence of Legal Aid in client communities and the larger community on all islands;
- Playing a leadership role in the community at-large on issues affecting low-income persons while being conscious and respectful of local cultures and traditions;
- Leading, developing and mentoring a creative, dedicated staff to ensure that high quality advocacy is sustained and strengthened such that Legal Aid has an even greater and more effective presence in the client communities it serves;
- Building a healthy and successful workplace environment that enhances staff morale and retention;
- Working closely with Legal Aid’s Board;
- Strengthening and expanding the firm’s litigation capacity;
- Strengthening the firm’s information technology systems and infrastructure;
- Building on Legal Aid’s commitment to broad-based innovative service, representation and advocacy models while setting a strategic direction for expansion of client services; and
- Maintaining Legal Aid’s local and national prominence as a model of effective representation of low-income clients and advocacy for justice.
Minimum Qualifications include:
- Having a minimum of ten years of combined legal and executive management experience;
- Having a demonstrated commitment to and experience with social justice and advocacy on behalf of low-income communities;
- Having substantial advocacy experience and be admitted to practice law in Hawai‘i or become admitted to practice law in Hawai‘i within two years of assuming the position; and
- Having personal or professional experience interacting with low-income or multicultural communities and people; and doing so with empathy, compassion, and diverse perspectives.
Preferred Qualifications include:
- Being passionate about the mission and goals of Legal Aid and hold a compelling vision for Legal Aid’s future;
- Having knowledge of Hawai‘i’s unique cultural and business communities;
- Having a demonstrated history of successfully, mentoring, coaching or otherwise developing internal leadership and management skills.
- Being of unimpeachable integrity;
- Being an excellent communicator and listener;
- Being a consensus builder;
- Being politically astute;
- Being an effective spokesperson, promoter and advocate;
- Being forward thinking about innovative technology use internally in to maximize delivery of legal services and information; and
- Being a successful effective, results-oriented leader who is:
- A “big picture” thinker
- A problem solver
- A mentor
- An example and steward of high standards
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- An effective delegator
- Motivated and an effective motivator
The ideal candidate will also have the following preferred qualifications:
- A successful track record as an executive who has:
mission driven charitable organization;
- Financial management experience and acumen;
- A deep commitment to promoting and supporting diversity;
- Demonstrated ability to think creatively and strategically and to plan effectively,
adeptly managing change and seizing opportunities for growth in a complex environment;
- A demonstrated track record of working effectively to achieve desired results; and
- Been an effective developer of talent of staff.
- A demonstrated enthusiasm for, and track record of, raising funds and support from a variety of sources, including legislative, private bar, businesses, foundations, community groups and non-legislative governmental sources.
- Experience applying for and managing federal, state, local and foundation grants and funding, or experience managing and overseeing such efforts.
- An understanding and appreciation of the native Hawaiian host culture and other resident cultures and dynamics so as to emerge as a respected leader and advocate for the interests of the poor and disadvantaged in Hawai‘i. The successful Executive Director candidate is expected to make a long-term commitment to the organization and to Hawai‘i.
applications
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. In order to receive full consideration, however, candidates are urged to submit their materials before February 27, 2023. Interested candidates should submit a letter expressing your interest in the position, your qualifications for the job with reference to the specific qualities described above, and what you hope to contribute to Legal Aid’s future. The letter should be accompanied by a current resume and include the names and contact information of three references. Legal Aid is assisted in its search for an Executive Director by Jill Lee, Alaka’i Executive Search. All materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected] in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Candidates with questions about the position, listed qualifications or the search process can contact Jill Lee at 808-478-0345.
Legal Aid is committed to diversity and seeks candidates who reflect and can work with diverse and multilingual communities.
The expected salary range is $150,000-$165,000, depending on experience. The salary range is based on a competitive public interest salary scale.
Legal Aid is committed to diversity and seeks candidates who reflect and can work with diverse and multilingual communities.
The expected salary range is $150,000-$165,000, depending on experience. The salary range is based on a competitive public interest salary scale.
