Executive Search Announcement: President and General Counsel ANNOUNCEMENT LatinoJustice PRLDEF is launching a nationwide search for the position of President and General Counsel. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to the following email address: [email protected]. No phone calls please. SUMMARY Job Title: President and General Counsel. Organization: LatinoJustice PRLDEF. Founded in 1972, LatinoJustice PRLDEF is one of the nation’s preeminent civil rights and education organizations. More information about the organization, its history, and its work can be found at www.latinojustice.org and in the back sections of this announcement. Location: New York City. Compensation: Competitive. Benefits: Comprehensive medical and dental. 401(k) retirement savings plan. Relocation: No relocation package will be offered, but candidates outside of New York City are encouraged to apply. Experience: 8+ years of direct litigation involvement, with experience in the area of civil rights, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to the Latino community. Admitted to New York Bar or eligible for admission. POSITION DESCRIPTION The President and General Counsel is the chief executive officer of LatinoJustice PRLDEF and will report to and work in partnership with the board of directors to further the mission, goals and objectives of the organization. S/he should have a demonstrated commitment to the struggle for economic, political and social justice for the Latino community, excellent strategic judgment, strong management skills, a compelling public presence, and the ability to raise funds from corporations, foundations and major donors. This position offers an opportunity to assume the leadership of one of the most important organizations protecting civil rights in the Latino community. 1 REQUIREMENTS Admitted to New York Bar or eligible for admission. Direct involvement in litigation gained at a law firm, public interest organization, or governmental agency, with experience in the area of civil rights. At least 8 years of practice as an attorney. Management experience over a department/team of legal or other professionals. Proven superior performance in academic and professional accomplishments. Demonstrated commitment to the Latino community and to the mission of the organization. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Spokesperson Credibility as a spokesperson for Latino civil rights. Able to act as the public face of the organization. Experience in dealing with the national and local media. Reputation as a consensus builder who can work creatively and diplomatically with other organizations and governmental agencies. Strong interpersonal communication skills. Able to articulate the vision and mission of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. Understanding of the issues facing the Latino community. Litigation Management Skills to guide the organization’s civil rights litigation strategy and to direct staff attorneys and pro bono counsel. Management Budget management skills. Prior management experience with professional staff or team. Ability to motivate and coach staff. Experience developing and implementing a strategic plan. Nonprofit experience as a staff member, board member, consultant or volunteer. Resource Development Successful background in fundraising or comparable experience. Knowledge of the foundation community. Capacity to leverage board connections. Ability to relate to corporate, law firm and individual donor communities. Willingness to identify strategic opportunities for grant funding. 2 LEADERSHIP TRAITS Unquestioned integrity. Superior judgment. Tough advocate with a measured temperament. Ability to collaborate with the staff, board, foundation community, governmental agencies, grass roots organizations, and our corporate and law firm partners. Creative, resourceful and adaptable. Willing to examine how things are currently done in an effort to improve organizational functioning. Friendly, personable, caring, and comfortable around people. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Litigation strategy Track emerging social and political trends that could impact the Latino community. Oversee strategic litigation planning. Allocate legal resources so that they are deployed in a ways that maximize the organization’s goals. Lead staff attorneys and provide them with strategic advice and counsel. Monitor and evaluate litigation effectiveness and continue to refine our strategy accordingly. Resource Development Work with the board’s fundraising committee to develop a fundraising strategy. Implement the strategies identified. Cultivate relationships with new and existing foundation, corporate and individual donors. Insure that fundraising materials and events reflect positively on the organization’s professionalism and quality. External Relations Advise government officials and community leaders on legal issues of importance to the Latino community. Maintain collaborative relationships with local and national legal advocacy organizations as well as with public officials. Staffing and Human Resources Management Create a working environment that engages and challenges staff to reach their full professional potential. Recruit and hire attorneys and senior staff committed to the mission of LatinoJusitice PRLDEF. Maintain the current healthy work culture that values and supports staff at all levels. Insure that employment practices are consistent with legal requirements. Develop and refine a system for evaluating employees. 3 Insure that the staffing structure supports the organization’s work and culture. Supervise directly the senior staff. Oversee the work of all consultants. Board of Directors Interact with the chair, committee chairs, and individual board members. Write annual reports and make other presentations to the board. Support the board’s efforts to engage with the organization’s work and to keep abreast of the challenges inherent in that work. Keep the board apprised of all major developments related to the organization. Collaborate with the board chair to shape board agendas that are strategic as well as informative. Insure that all committees are appropriately staffed and act as primary staff liaison to the executive and finance committees. Provide input to the nominating committee. Financial Management and Administration Maintain financial stability through sound budgeting and fiscal practices. Insure the integrity of financial systems and recordkeeping to safeguard the assets of the organization. Prepare the annual budget for approval by the finance committee and the board. Monitor budget to actual information, recommending adjustments as needed. Oversee the audit in conjunction with the audit committee. Serve as primary liaison with tenants and leasing agent for office. Attend to the technology and office equipment needs of the organization. OUR MISSION LatinoJustice PRLDEF champions an equitable society. Using the power of the law together with education and advocacy, LatinoJustice PRLDEF is a defender of opportunity for all Latinos – but especially new immigrants and the poor – so as to allow them to succeed in work and school, fulfill their dreams, and sustain their families and communities. To this end, LatinoJustice PRLDEF’s work encompasses three guiding principles – protecting civil rights, cultivating Latino leaders through education, and increasing civic participation. OUR HISTORY In 1972, three young attorneys decided to establish an organization that could provide Latinos with the legal resources to overcome the obstacles that frustrated their dreams and limited their lives. Jorge Batista, Victor Marrero and Cesar A. Perales founded the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund to give Latinos a voice within the legal system and a role in public life. Through the years, many luminaries of the bench and bar have served on our board, including members of the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the United States Supreme Court; attorneys general; governors; ambassadors; other holders of high office and appointed positions; and prominent members of the business community. These people – like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, New York Senator Jacob Javits, Chase 4 Manhattan Bank C.E.O. Willard Butcher, U.S. Representative Herman Badillo, and Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau – invested substantial time in LatinoJustice PRLDEF and staked their professional reputations upon our work. They did this because we are and always have been committed to the fundamental promise of America: equal justice for all. For almost 40 years now, the organization has made a real difference in the daily lives of Latinos across the United States. Parents, teachers, voters, immigrants, and students all continue to reach out to us for assistance in protecting their civil rights. And we continue to respond. Recently, we became LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a name that better reflects the broad scope of people and nationalities who we protect and who make up our organization. But though our name is now different, our mission to promote justice for all Latinos has remained unchanged since 1972. The organization’s budget is nearly $3 million annually. There is a staff of approximately 20 employees. Foundation support represents two-thirds of LatinoJustice PRLDEF’s operating income. We raise the balance through various fundraising events, including an annual gala. WHAT WE DO Our attorneys litigate precedent-setting impact cases that improve the way Latinos are treated in our society. We have prevailed