Pro Bono Coordinator

Animal Legal Defense Fund has an exciting opportunity as a Pro Bono Coordinator!

---

At a glance

---

The Pro Bono Coordinator supports the Pro Bono Program to advance the emerging field and practice of animal law. This includes working with key initiatives, projects, and programs that support legal professionals interested in pursuing animal law volunteer and educational opportunities and promote ALDF as the leading animal law resource provider. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with ALDF programs to determine the appropriate level of response to requests for legal assistance from members of the public and other animal protection organizations and provide ALDF resources accordingly. Conduct research on the legal matter and parties involved, determine which matters to support, communicate vetted opportunities to ALDF’s Pro Bono Network, and track the progress of matters supported by volunteer law professionals.  
• Maintain Pro Bono Database by entering new and updated law professional and law firm contact information. Track ongoing cases, projects, communication, and associated pro bono teams. Compile summary reports on pro bono engagement.  
• Attend regularly scheduled cross-programmatic meetings and communicate with ALDF pro bono project leads to ensure Pro Bono Database reflects the latest project and case updates.  
• Track pro bono hours, volunteers, and contributions donated to ALDF projects by law firms and law professionals. Ensure all data collected is added to Pro Bono Database and create semi-annual reports for Finance.  
• Research and identify candidates for ALDF legal professional spotlight series, which recognizes valued pro bono law firms and law professionals.    
• Assist in identifying annual pro bono award winners, coordinate recognition logistics including ordering awards and thank you letters, and support efforts to promote honorees. 
• Collaborate with ALDF’s Pro Bono Managing Attorney to research pro bono counsel candidates for projects as needed. 
• Assign research projects to law clerks, externs, and volunteers as needed.  
• Provide regular updates to team members regarding progress, milestones, and delays. 
• Support the Pro Bono Program Managing Attorney and Director in scheduling and preparing presentations for webinars, conferences, law firms, law schools, bar associations, and other legal organizations.  
• Collaborate with the Litigation, Criminal Justice, Legislative Affairs, and Animal Law Programs to identify strategic areas where future pro bono support will be required and develop and implement plans to recruit that pro bono support. 
• Monitor local and national professional development opportunities and events in the field of animal law such as CLEs, conferences, and symposia, and ensure they are posted on ALDF’s webpages. Identify content suitable for monthly Law Professional eNewsletters. 
• Monitor developments across the legal profession to identify new collaborative opportunities for the Pro Bono Program. Prioritize opportunities consistent with the furtherance of ALDF’s mission and overarching strategic and business plans. Develop and implement plans to capitalize on those opportunities.   
• Support formation and function of bar association animal law sections and committees and monitor the activities of those that are active. Regularly update ALDF bar association animal law section and committee start up packets. Ensure animal law bar association events are added to ALDF’s events webpage and promoted to area ALDF law professional members.  
• Coordinate with the Animal Law Program to support the Law Student Mentor Program and identify law professionals interested in teaching animal law courses and speaking about animal law issues when needed. 
• Participate in Pro Bono Program meetings and provide progress reports to the Pro Bono Program Director and Pro Bono Program Managing Attorney. Contribute to programmatic strategic planning, implementation of initiatives, and quarterly business reports. 
• Maintain records on outreach to law professionals, law firms and supporters. 
• Coordinate with the Communications Program as needed to promote law professional outreach via social media platforms and support the creation of new programmatic online content. 
• Provide Communications Program with updates on successfully placed pro bono projects and outreach efforts as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned to support the Pro Bono Program and advance the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission. 
• The Pro Bono Coordinator must be available for periodic travel to conferences, meetings, and other events as required. 

The Successful Candidate

• Understand and be fully committed to the mission, vision, and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. 
• Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a pro bono/volunteer coordinator program role in either a nonprofit and/or for-profit organization(s), or equivalent.   
• Be able to think strategically and cross-programmatically, creatively problem solve, and exercise good judgment.  
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, law professional members, supporters, and community members when needed. 
• Be an excellent writer with strong attention to detail who can articulate messages to different audiences. 
• Have strong planning, organizational, and prioritization skills and be able to meet deadlines. 
• Have demonstrated ability to proactively drive projects forward, identify and address issues, and problem solve. 
• Be detail-oriented and able to work independently and efficiently. 
• Have a positive attitude and able to work cooperatively with others and function well in a team-oriented work environment.
• Have experience with a variety of computer applications that include Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as data entry, database management, and project coordination.
• Have experience with or knowledge of the legal profession and an understanding of and adherence to obligations of confidentiality related to legal matters. 

Apply now