ACCESS, INNOVATION, & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (AICE) DIRECTOR - 78729

Key Responsibilities

• Division Leadership: Direct AICE Division operations; lead, supervise, and develop staff; manage budget, planning, and reporting.
• Oversee program managers responsible for the Rule 31 Mediator Listing Program, State Interpreter Program, Justice Bus events, statewide pro bono initiatives, continuing education, and grant administration for VORP and the Parent Education and Mediation Fund Program.
• ATJC Liaison & Support: Serve as liaison to the ATJC and oversee administrative support for strategic planning, Commission and committee meetings, and working groups.
• Access to Legal Information: Lead initiatives providing self-represented litigants with the information, forms, and tools needed to navigate court, including plain-language forms, court navigator programs, self-help centers, and digital tools.
• Access to Legal Advice: Build partnerships with legal aid organizations, pro bono programs, law school clinics, and the private bar to expand legal services statewide.
• Access to Court Proceedings & Services: Coordinate initiatives reducing logistical, financial, language, and disability-related barriers, including e-reminder programs, remote hearing support, language access, and ADA compliance.
• Simplifying Court Procedures & Innovation: Identify and pilot opportunities to simplify procedures, modernize workflows, and adopt technologies that reduce burdens on litigants and court staff.
• Access to Justice Communications: Oversee ATJ communications for the AOC, ATJC, and Tennessee Supreme Court, including #Help4TN Month and Pro Bono Month campaigns. Partner with the AOC Communications team to align messaging and maximize outreach impact.
• Tennessee Supreme Court ATJ Events: Coordinate Pro Bono Recognition Events, Justice Bus, listening conferences, regional meetings, and statewide training events.
• Grants & Resource Development: Identify, pursue, and administer grant funding. Monitor external opportunities and administer existing programs under Rule 11 and the annual registration donation.
• Research, Evaluation & Reporting: Research and evaluate civil justice processes; track and report on ATJ outcomes for the ATJC, Tennessee Supreme Court, AOC leadership, and the public.
• National & Local Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with national organizations (NCSC, SRLN, ABA) and local stakeholders; represent the AOC at state and national convenings.
• Compliance & Accessibility: Ensure AICE programs comply with the ADA, Title VI, and WCAG 2.1 standards.
• Executive Collaboration: Serve as a trusted advisor to the AOC Executive Leadership Team, Tennessee Supreme Court, and ATJC.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Tennessee and a minimum of five years of relevant employment experience, with demonstrated leadership, program management, and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Experience working within a state court system or appearing as counsel regularly is required.
• Experience working with the Tennessee courts is preferred.
• A strong commitment to working with underserved and marginalized communities, self-represented litigants, and limited English proficient litigants is required.