Pro Bono and Events Coordinator - Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network

About PLAN, Inc.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN, Inc.) is dedicated to ensuring equal access to justice for low-income Pennsylvanians. As the strategic leader and coordinator for eight independent regional legal aid programs and six specialized legal aid programs, PLAN, Inc. makes the delivery of free legal services possible across the state. PLAN Inc.’s vision is to create a society where every low-income individual and family in Pennsylvania can access the full spectrum of civil legal services and remedies. PLAN, Inc. administers funding from major governmental sources to support the network of legal aid programs. Through a client-centered approach, PLAN, Inc. supports a compassionate and coordinated legal aid delivery system that offers essential legal information, advice, and representation on critical issues affecting basic needs, including food, shelter, employment, consumer issues, healthcare, and family safety.

Beyond funding administration, PLAN, Inc. provides several direct services and programs. It supports and facilitates the Martin Luther King, Jr. Internship and Fellowship programs, which financially support summer law internships and post-graduate fellowships. PLAN, Inc. also delivers a comprehensive range of training for the staff of all PLAN, Inc. programs, other public interest lawyers, pro bono attorneys, and others. Additionally, PLAN, Inc. maintains a website aimed at providing plain-language legal information to the general public, assists member programs with resource development and communications, and hosts an annual Excellence Awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of legal aid staff and supporters of access to justice.

About the role

This position will be a new role at PLAN, Inc. It offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to build an important new project that we intend to scale to a statewide level in the future, as well as to support our event management team. PLAN is headquartered in Harrisburg, PA. Some staff work remotely and others work hybrid. This is a hybrid position which can be based anywhere in Pennsylvania, with weekly travel to the PLAN office in Harrisburg or other locations in Pennsylvania required.

This Position Has Two Primary Areas Of Work:

• Pro Bono Project Coordination (50%)
• Events & Training Coordination (50%)

Responsibilities

• Implement an Appellate Pro Bono Pilot Project in collaboration with the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services and the 13 PLAN Network organizations across the Commonwealth.
• Support and contribute to the development of the Pilot Project; assist with the coordination of training, implementation, and administration; and serve as a liaison between the CLAOs, clients, and volunteer attorney(s) involved.
• Once the Pilot Project is successfully established, work on the expansion of the Project statewide, and also the possible expansion into other types of pro bono cases.
• Provide support to the team that plans and coordinates events for PLAN and the entire Network, including smaller online training sessions for Continuing Legal Education credits, yearly in-person convenings for substantive law groups, and an annual training conference open to all PLAN Network staff that takes place over two days in the fall with 400+ attendees.
• Assist with all in-person events and manage events communication.
• Carry out the implementation of the Pro Bono Pilot Program for the Appellate Advocacy Project in the Superior Court’s Western District, including the articulation of a vision and strategy for enhancing pro bono appellate work, recruitment of volunteers, case referral systems, training programs, mentorship structures, a resource library, and other program elements, as time allows.
• Collaborate with the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services and PLAN Network organizations to identify cases for pro bono appellate representation, organize and distribute training materials, and help to evaluate cases for pro bono suitability and referral.
• Coordinate the development and publication of resources and training materials for the Appellate Advocacy Project.
• In conjunction with PLAN staff, create and maintain a web-based pro bono resource library relevant to the caseload of the Project.
• Gather data, compile information, and prepare reports for funders and stakeholders; gather data and compile information for public-facing materials (e.g., newsletters, websites).
• Contribute to the development and operation of Appellate Advocacy Project programming, including assigning pro bono cases and supporting volunteer attorneys.
• Serve as a bridge between the referring CLAO and the volunteer attorney(s) representing the client on appeal.
• Serve as backup point of contact to ensure communication and continuing connection between attorneys, clients, and CLAOs.
• Help to inform and educate CLAOs about the Project, including but not limited to the cases that can be referred, the timeframe for referral, and the continuing obligations of the CLAO to the client and volunteer attorney(s).
• Coordinate the development of programming and activities for pro bono attorney recruitment.
• Develop, maintain, and update forms for pro bono case referral packet.
• Develop, summarize, and report on surveys to pro bono attorneys, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in the development, execution, reporting, and follow-up of online and in-person events and trainings, including CLE trainings and pro bono attorney recruitment events.
• Assist with CLE training, planning, registration, and reporting credits to CLE board.
• Responsible for event logistics including: event registration, presenters, staffing, technology, materials/handouts, and refreshments.
• Collaborate with partners for training presenters, content, and materials.
• Plan and execute all events and training-related communication, including social media, email lists, and promotion with local bar associations and other internal and external partners.
• Organize and participate in volunteer attorney recognition efforts including recognition activities.
• Collaborate in the continuous development of relationships with individual attorneys, law firms, solo practitioners, law schools, bar associations, parallel and partner pro bono groups, especially as it relates to recruiting and retaining volunteers.
• Maintain volunteer database, listservs, etc.
• Complete administrative tasks that include maintaining systems for tracking volunteer attorney data and case management, and prepare correspondence and documents to assist volunteers in the representation of clients.
• Respond to volunteer inquiries and follow up with volunteer attorneys to ascertain case status, update case status in Legal Server, and ensure timely case closure for pro bono cases.
• Be responsible for intensive case coordination.
• Collaborate with CLAOs including intake staff and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Director of Pro Bono Services in creating systems for identifying new cases for pro bono referrals.
• Develop knowledge of relevant law and community referral resources through training, continuing legal education courses, and other educational opportunities; explain program parameters to clients.
• Abide by all professional and ethical standards of excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate degree or paralegal certificate, or commensurate experience.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a program coordinator or paralegal preferred, or related experience and/or training.
• Advanced proficiency and experience with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), PDF and web-based form development tools, case management systems, and database activity with a high level of accuracy.
• Skilled with WordPress or other web-based Content Management System (CMS) and other website content management tools.
• Graphic design a plus (Canva, Adobe Suite).
• Experience with database report generation.
• Previous experience in areas of poverty law is preferred but not required.
• Current driver’s license and ability to travel regularly within the service area required. Other travel within PA may also be necessary.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent communication skills required to work with clients, attorneys, and the general public.
• Strong organizational skills, high level of attention to detail, creative problem solving, and ability to balance demands of multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and processes, or ability and motivation to learn.
• Ability to follow through on projects and ensure timely completion of tasks, activities, events, and deliverables including gathering information and resources from multiple internal and external partners.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $65,000. The salary offer will ultimately be based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Employer-provided medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Retirement plan with an employer contribution and match
• Employer-provided life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage
• Generous leave time