Supervising Attorney

Philadelphia VIP is a nonprofit that recruits and supports volunteer attorneys to represent low-income Philadelphians who face critical legal issues, but cannot afford a lawyer.

Since 1981, VIP has been the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, annually supporting over 1,000 volunteers assisting hundreds of low-income clients in four priority areas: preventing homelessness, preserving income, supporting family stability, and promoting community economic development. Our staff of eighteen consists of attorneys, case managers, and other professionals and is highly collaborative, creative, and passionate about our capacity-building model of service.

VIP values a diverse work environment and encourages people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, and people with disabilities to apply.

Reporting to the Managing Attorney and serving on the Management Team, the Supervising Attorney supervises team members and supports volunteer attorneys and low-income clients facing critical legal problems in a range of areas of civil law and procedure, with a particular emphasis on overseeing our work to preserve family wealth and businesses in our client communities.

The position is full-time (38-40 hours/week) and exempt, with a starting salary of at least $80,000 and an outstanding team atmosphere. VIP’s generous benefits include medical insurance (with employee medical premium fully paid by VIP); employee-paid dental insurance option; a 403(b) plan, with employer contributions after one year; short-and long-term disability and life insurance;
Employee Assistance Program; flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, transit and parking; industry-leading paid time off, including substantial vacation and sick time, 12+ paid holidays, and paid parental leave; an individual budget for professional development; and alternative work arrangements, including up to two days telework after your first 90 days, and scheduling flexibility.

A strong Supervising Attorney candidate will demonstrate: a sound commitment to VIP’s mission of serving others by leveraging the power of volunteerism; excellent management and organization skills; and a drive to develop relationships in the Philadelphia community to help further VIP’s work. Further qualifications include:

• Pennsylvania Bar License and graduate of an accredited law school
• Minimum 5 years legal work experience, or 3 years of legal work experience and at least 6 years of total full-time work experience
• Demonstrated experience supervising full-time staff, and comfort with providing constructive feedback
• Passion for relationship building, and capacity and desire to work with, and quickly build rapport with, a broad range of stakeholders
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Highly collaborative: motivates others, is receptive to and acts on feedback, and can effectively and efficiently lead projects
• Strong analytical skills, close attention to detail, organized, and able to manage personal workload while effectively overseeing supervisee workloads
• Experience assisting low-income clients and pro bono volunteers preferred, but not required

Oversee VIP’s Community Economic Development and Estate Planning projects:

• Proactively seek opportunities for growth to further VIP’s strategic and quantitative goals in these projects.
• In collaboration with team members, establish and maintain relationships with external partners, including other community organizations and City agencies.
• Work closely with team members who run the day-to-day operations of these projects.
• Track metrics to assess program outcomes and staff performance, including initiating inquiries into key data points and developing next steps in response.

Supervise…