Legal Director
About Muslim Legal Fund of America
Muslim Legal Fund of America is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds and supports legal work defending Muslims against injustice in America’s courtrooms, prisons, and communities. MLFA’s mission is to advance equality and justice for American Muslim organizations and individuals by combating injustices carried out in the name of national security.
The Opportunity
MLFA is seeking a Legal Director to serve as the senior leader of its Legal Division and strengthen the people, systems, and strategy behind its legal work. The Legal Director will set legal priorities, oversee litigation and advocacy across practice areas, and ensure MLFA’s legal work is excellent, ethical, coordinated, and aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals. This person will operate at both the strategic and front-line levels, helping MLFA navigate complex legal issues and a rapidly changing legal and policy environment. This role will require a forward-facing approach as well including potential on air interviews.
This is a manager-first, practitioner-second role. The Legal Director may advise on or carry a limited number of especially strategic matters, but their primary responsibility will be leading the full legal function. They will manage senior attorneys, create clarity and accountability across teams, and own docket discipline for the Legal Division.
What You Will Lead
Legal Strategy and Program Direction
Partner with the CEO and Legal Committee to establish MLFA’s legal strategy, annual priorities, and practice-area goals. Translate organizational priorities into clear decisions about case selection, staffing, resource allocation, partnerships, and legal program growth. Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, and policy developments affecting American Muslim individuals and organizations. Identify where MLFA is best positioned to lead, intervene, partner, or build additional legal capacity.
People Leadership and Docket Management
Supervise, coach, and support Managing Attorneys, Practice Directors, and other designated legal staff. Establish clear roles, decision-making authority, performance expectations, and lines of accountability across the Legal Division. Own division-wide docket discipline, ensuring each matter has clear ownership, an appropriate strategy, active supervision, and well-managed deadlines. Conduct regular portfolio and docket reviews to identify legal risks, staffing needs, workload concerns, and matters requiring additional support. Lead performance management, professional development, succession planning, and efforts to retain strong attorneys and legal staff. Address performance, communication, and interpersonal