Director of Pro Bono Programs

About the organization

The Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights (CLC) is one of the nation's premier civil rights law organizations. We harness the power of the law and the private bar to fight discrimination and advance equity in Illinois and beyond. Our programs focus on housing and community development, voting rights, economic justice, and education equity—working through direct legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and systemic reform. CLC is in an exciting period of organizational growth, expanding its team, deepening its programmatic impact, and building new practice areas.

Position summary

The Director of Pro Bono Programs is a senior individual contributor and relationship-builder who leads CLC's pro bono strategy, volunteer lawyer engagement, and law firm partnerships. Sitting within the Advancement & Engagement department and reporting to the VP of Advancement & Engagement, the Director bridges CLC's legal programs and its external stakeholder ecosystem—ensuring that pro bono capacity is strategically recruited, effectively deployed, and deeply connected to CLC's mission and fundraising goals. This role has both a deep local focus and a regional reach.

Key responsibilities

• Pro Bono Strategy & Program Leadership

• Design and implement a comprehensive pro bono strategy aligned with CLC's programmatic priorities and growth trajectory

• Set annual goals for pro bono participation, hours contributed, and case outcomes, track and report on progress

• Identify and develop new pro bono opportunities and delivery models, including clinics, brief advice programs, co-counseling arrangements, and secondments

• Maintain and strengthen CLC's pro bono policies, intake protocols, and volunteer management infrastructure

• Representation & Engagement

• Represent CLC at bar association events, pro bono forums, and legal community convenings across the Chicago metro area and Midwest region

• Act as CLC's primary relationship manager with law firms, corporate legal departments, and bar associations— with a home base in Chicago and Illinois and an expanding regional presence across Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and potentially Ohio

• Develop and steward a portfolio of law firm partnerships, including formal partnership agreements, project-based engagements, and individual volunteer placements

• Design and deliver compelling pitches and presentations to firm pro bono coordinators, managing partners, and diversity committees

• Deliver presentations that educate the public, movement leaders, and non-profits on systemic inequity, legal rights, and economic justice

• Cultivate relationships with in-house legal departments and expand CLC's reach to corporate pro bono programs

• Volunteer Coordination & Support

• Collaborate with CLC's legal program directors to assess pro bono capacity needs and match volunteer lawyers to appropriate matters

• Develop and facilitate trainings, orientations, and CLEs for volunteer attorneys to ensure quality representation

• Provide ongoing support and communication to volunteer lawyers throughout their engagement

• Build recognition programs and stewardship touchpoints that foster long-term volunteer loyalty

• Advancement & Donor Integration

• Work closely with the VP of Advancement & Engagement and fundraising staff to connect pro bono engagement with donor cultivation and stewardship

• Identify and support the conversion of pro bono relationships into financial supporters of CLC

• Contribute to grant applications and reports related to pro bono programming

• Support CLC special events and initiatives that intersect with the private bar community

• Law School & Pipeline Programs

• Develop and manage relationships with law schools in Chicago and across the Midwest region to create student externship, clinical, and volunteer opportunities

• Serve as a mentor and resource for student volunteers and summer associates placed at CLC

• Support CLC's pipeline goals by engaging law students from communities historically underrepresented in civil rights practice

• Internal Collaboration, Content Creation & Reporting

• Work across CLC's program teams—Housing & Community Development, Voting Rights, Economic Justice, and Education Equity—to embed pro bono support into each practice area

• Track and report on pro bono hours, matters, and outcomes using CLC's case management system and advancement database

• Produce and contribute to the creation of compelling digital content, newsletters, toolkits, CLE training material, policy briefs, and promotional materials that strengthens engagement with stakeholders, drives active volunteerism, and elevates CLC’s brand as a regional thought leader

• Contribute to CLC's annual report, website, and communications that highlight pro bono victories and impact

• Participate in organizational planning, staff meetings, and cross-departmental initiatives

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admission to any state bar preferred

• Minimum 5 years of experience in pro bono program management, legal services administration, law firm pro bono coordination, or a related field

• Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, or comparable stakeholders

• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple partnerships and initiatives simultaneously

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience presenting to senior legal audiences

• Commitment to CLC's civil rights mission and to advancing racial, economic, and social equity

• Collaborative, relationship-oriented work style with the ability to build trust across diverse internal and external stakeholders

Preferred:

• Experience in nonprofit advancement, fundraising, or donor relations

• Familiarity with Chicago's legal community, bar associations, and major firm pro bono programs; knowledge of Midwest regional legal markets (Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio) a plus

• Experience with legal case management systems (e.g., Legal Server) and CRM or advancement databases

• Knowledge of one or more of CLC's practice areas: housing, voting rights, economic justice, or education equity

• Spanish-language proficiency or other language skills reflecting communities CLC serves

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $85,000–$100,000, depending on experience. CLC offers a competitive benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage; employer-contributed 403(b) retirement plan; generous paid time off and holidays; and professional development support. CLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.