Legal Consultant

IMPACT STATEMENT | How does this position advance our vision and mission?

Equality Ohio is looking for 2 contract lawyers (1 in Cleveland and 1 in Cincinnati) to help with the continued development of Equality Ohio’s Family Law Project. Equality Ohio’s Family Law Program currently serves LGBTQ+  individuals at or under 300% of the Federal Poverty level with a variety of family law issues in 3 regions of Ohio. 

Contract Details

POINT OF CONTACT | Legal Clinic Director 

CONTRACT FEES | $250/hour for an average of 2 hours per week up to approximately 8 hours per month

CLASSIFICATION | Independent Contractor
This position is structured as a part-time independent contractor joining EO’s Legal Clinic. The finalists will execute a contract with Equality Ohio Education Fund, submit invoices on a monthly basis for payment, and develop their plan and schedule to meet the deliverables outlined below.

LOCATION | 1 Consultant Based in Cleveland, Ohio; 1 Consultant based in Cincinnati, Ohio

APPLICATION DEADLINE | Monday, May 20th at Midnight

START DATE | June 3, 2024 - February 28, 2025, with the possibility of an extension

Requirements

DELIVERABLES | What are the contracted activities, responsibilities, and deliverables?

• Build out and support key areas of the Legal Clinic work to develop the family law project in each region, including:

• Curating and maintaining lists of regional:
• Courts with website links
• Local rules
• Case law documents / Cases that are important in the area (local)
• Designing family law templates for motions, briefs, pleadings
• Sharing pay scales and rates for services in the region for similar work
• Creating resources both for internal and external use, such as:
• Know-Your-Rights documents
• Redrafting the family law guide
• Providing filing tips
• Sharing tips about Judges/Magistrates
• Assisting in the ongoing expansion of the referral network
• Assisting in the creation of Family law CLE’s, materials, and social media
• Creating an attorney-referral list for regional LGBTQ+ attorneys in family law 
• Establishing and running a standing Family Law Attorney Referral Network Call, including:
• Recruiting other family law attorneys to be a part of our Attorney Referral Network 
• Providing case law updates
• Shared Organization Responsibilities
• Upholding and advancing Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values. 
• Participating in bi-monthly family law project meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS | What backgrounds, skills, and experiences are we looking for?

Candidates are required to be/have:

• An unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• Awareness of the issue priorities, policy battles, and experiences of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
• 10 plus years of experience in Ohio family law practice with LGBTQ+ clients
• Experience with drafting, litigation, hearings, motion-work in the respective areas.

PROFILE | What are the characteristics of a successful candidate for this contract?

Successful candidates should be/have:

• Commitment to Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values, focusing on racial justice.
• Passionate about LGBTQ+ equality broadly and community events and organizing work specifically.
• Collaborative team player with an appreciation for diverse approaches to the work.
• The flexibility, humor, and humility to thrive in a fast-paced hybrid remote and in-person environment.
• Resourceful, adaptable, patient, and flexible to navigate complex situations in real-time.
• Charismatic and diplomatic to cultivate, nurture, and maintain relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders and navigate statehouse and coalition dynamics.
• Have excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills.
• Be able to manage competing priorities and re-prioritize as needed effectively.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently without constant direct staff contact.

Work Environment

Schedule

As this position is an independent contractor, there is not a set work schedule. The consultant will work with Equality Ohio’s Legal Clinic Director to determine how their time will be spent each week. We anticipate the consultant will spend their time completing their project work independently with twice-monthly meetings to report on progress outcomes. Additional scheduled time per month will be the addition of a family law meeting that the consultant will help to lead after quarter 1. 

Benefits

Contract Details

POINT OF CONTACT | Legal Clinic Director 

CONTRACT FEES | $250/hour for an average of 2 hours per week up to approximately 8 hours per month

CLASSIFICATION | Independent Contractor
This position is structured as a part-time independent contractor joining EO’s Legal Clinic. The finalists will execute a contract with Equality Ohio Education Fund, submit invoices on a monthly basis for payment, and develop their plan and schedule to meet the deliverables outlined below.

LOCATION | 1 Consultant Based in Cleveland, Ohio; 1 Consultant based in Cincinnati, Ohio

APPLICATION DEADLINE | Monday, May 20th at Midnight

START DATE | June 3, 2024 - February 28, 2025, with the possibility of an extension

Equity Commitment

Studies have shown that women, non-binary folks, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and those with gender-expansive identities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Equality Ohio does not discriminate on any basis, including sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, physical or mental ability or disability, race, religion, sexual orientation; access to public benefits and/or housing voucher assistance; other sources of income that do not conflict with the fundamental values or needs of the organization; veteran status; criminal record provided the past convictions do not impact funding, the organization’s values and mission, the employee’s ability to perform their core job duties, and licensing requirements; or any other characteristic protected by law.