Invitation to Apply for the Position of
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Washington, DC
The Search
The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) seeks an innovative and dynamic leader, committed to the mission of equal access to justice for all, to serve as its President & CEO, commencing in early 2021. Serving as President & CEO of NLADA presents an unparalleled opportunity for a talented and dedicated legal professional, who has the experience, knowledge, values, skills and abilities to lead a national association of organizations and individuals who are committed to ensuring access to justice for all and to excellence in providing legal counsel for low-income individuals and communities across the country. This opportunity comes at an unprecedented time when the movement for Black liberation and racial justice includes timely demands for enhanced and fair legal representation for under resourced communities, comprehensive law enforcement reform, and creative economic and social policy change. The President & CEO of NLADA will have unmatched impact in realizing the ideal of equal justice under the law for all Americans regardless of economic status or race.
NLADA is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. NLADA’s members include organizations and individuals who are the providers, supporters and champions of effective legal assistance to low income individuals in both civil and criminal matters. Headquartered in the Nation’s Capital, NLADA is governed and directed by a national board of directors with up to 27 members (currently 19, including the President & CEO). The organization has approximately 26 staff members and has an annual operating budget of approximately $5.1 million, derived from corporate, program, and individual membership dues and contributions, conference and training fees, grants, service fees, publication sales, and contract revenues.
The President & CEO is responsible for fulfilling the mission of NLADA and for implementing the strategic plan of the organization. With a leadership style that inspires and motivates people and a passion for the access-to-justice mission, the next President & CEO will embrace several exciting and significant opportunities, including resource development, partnership cultivation, brand awareness, outreach to the newest generation of public service lawyers, and harnessing technological change to the advantage of the civil legal aid and public defense bar. The ideal candidate will possess significant management and leadership experience, knowledge of the civil and defender delivery systems, the ability to understand and serve the needs of NLADA members, as well as the personality to bring all stakeholders, including the client representatives, together for the common good. 
Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Given the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the paramount need to ensure the health and safety of Succession Committee members and candidates, candidates should expect that most, perhaps all, interviews and interactions with the Succession Committee will take place on a virtual platform. Nominations, inquiries, and applications, including a resume and letter of interest, should be sent in confidence to:
Tim McFeeley, Partner
Martens Roc, Senior Associate
1300 19th Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 682-1504
www.imsearch.com/7414
Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
NLADA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.