About the Role

The Legal Director of the Legal Services Advocacy Practice (LSAP) leads the legal team at Detroit Justice Center and works collaboratively with staff to develop and set legal strategy, while guiding and supporting attorneys and advocates, and overseeing the delivery of direct services to clients navigating family court, housing instability, criminal records, and other systemic barriers to stability and justice.

We are looking for a leader who brings hands-on litigation experience and the ability to guide a legal services team while building toward future impact litigation. This is a key role that blends practice oversight with movement-aligned advocacy.

You will lead daily operations, oversee case strategy, nurture team growth and support alignment, and help shape the future of our legal work. 

Key Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Team Leadership

• Guide an experienced team of attorneys, paralegals, and community legal advocates (CLA).

• Lead legal strategy across all practice areas, with particular focus on family law, housing, traffic, and expungement. 

• Coordinate alignment between legal services and CLA-led advocacy and education.

• Oversee case acceptance and review processes, including caseload distribution and regular review of casework and filings.

• Foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, integrating legal representation with policy and movement-building efforts.

Litigation and Legal Advocacy

• Maintain limited direct representation to stay grounded in client experience and contribute to DJC’s strategic litigation goals. 

• Support strategic case development in family law, housing justice, expungement, fines and fees, and public benefits.

• Conduct legal research, draft pleadings, and engage in courtroom advocacy in both state and federal courts.

• Identify and help prepare for future impact litigation efforts rooted in community priorities.

• Build external relationships with partners, coalitions, and legal networks to strengthen DJC’s advocacy.

Qualifications & Experience

• JD required; licensed to practice in Michigan required at the time of application.

• At least 7 years of post-bar legal practice experience

• Strong litigation experience required, including courtroom advocacy in state and federal courts.

• Experience in impact litigation, policy advocacy, and strategic legal reform.

• Strong case management and organizational skills, with experience managing legal teams and caseloads efficiently.

• Deep alignment with DJC’s mission, including a commitment to our values and community-rooted legal advocacy.

• Excellent written, oral, and strategic communication skills.

Why Join DJC?

• Lead transformational legal work that builds power and advances justice.

• Engage in policy advocacy and movement lawyering at the intersection of racial and economic justice.

• Collaborate with grassroots organizations and directly impacted communities to reimagine justice.

• Work-Life Balance: We value sustainability and well-being.

The target annual salary range for this role is $130,000. DJC operates a four-day workweek, prioritizing work-life balance and the well-being of our team. In addition to a competitive base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 96% employer-paid health coverage, retirement match, 10 paid holidays, generous PTO, and centering days dedicated to rest and rejuvenation.

At DJC, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We understand that candidates from marginalized and underrepresented communities, especially women and communities of color, may hesitate to apply for positions if they do not meet every single qualification listed. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those impacted by the criminal legal system to apply. You may be the right candidate for this position or other opportunities at DJC. We believe diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to driving justice and equity in our work.

Application Instructions: To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter through our careers website to apply for this role. Please describe your interest in DJC’s mission, values, and relevant experiences in your cover letter.