Leading and Managing an Organization

A Culture of Systems Change

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:17:08 +0000

A Culture of Systems Change sierra-chacona… Tue, 08/27/2024 - 12:17

Learn about Legal Services NYC's litigation process and considerations for identifying potential impact litigation cases in this infographic.

Legal Services NYC’s Impact Advocacy: A Culture of Systems Change

Grantees will learn how Legal Services NYC (LSNYC):

1. Maximized resources to achieve the greatest possible benefits and systemic solutions;

2. Partnered in and out of the court systems to achieve the best possible outcome; and

3. Coordinated impact advocacy across five programs.

Discover how LSCNYC outlined the program’s litigation process and the factors to consider when identifying potential impact litigation cases.

Read Infographic

“LSNYC understands that potential impact litigation cases can come from any practice area, as well as outside the organization.”

Christine Clarke

Chief of Litigation and Advocacy, Legal Services NYC

More on Strategic Planning

Visit this MPI topic page to explore strategic- and succession- planning resources.

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Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

New York

Strategic Planning

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:56:02 +0000

Strategic Planning sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:56

Learn about developing and revising comprehensive strategic plans with Utah Legal Services.

Model Practices and Innovations: Strategic Planning

Grantees will learn how Utah Legal Services (ULS):

1. Used innovative planning strategies to structure key tasks and timelines;

2. Adopted a staff leveling strategy to develop staff and promotion paths; and

3. Identified yearly goals and professional development opportunities.

Former ULS Deputy Director Amy Morgan shared how ULS developed a strategic plan with staff development in mind and key takeaways and tips on getting started.

Read Case Study

“As part of the organization’s strategic planning process, ULS adopted a staff leveling strategy to fulfill staff development needs, which helps staff identify professional goals and opportunities based on their interests and organizational needs.”

Excerpt from Case Study

More on Strategic Planning

Visit this MPI topic page to explore strategic and succession planning resources.

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

Utah

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:37:11 +0000

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:37

In this case study, learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services and Legal Aid of Western Michigan implemented action plans to help clientele in danger of losing housing during COVID-19.

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Grantees will learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) and Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM):

1. Accommodated the influx of housing and eviction assistance requests during COVID-19;

2. Created informative videos to educate the community about the eviction process; and

3. Spearheaded a statewide eviction diversion program (EDP) to provide early intervention.

Hear from Jacob Workman, Managing Attorney at ILAS, and Karen Tjapkes, Director of Litigation at LAWM, about managing an influx of civil legal aid requests and the expanding number of low-income individuals and families receiving eviction assistance during COVID-19.

Read Case Study

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

Excerpt from Case Study

More on Providing Legal Services

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning Technology COVID-19 Housing / Evictions

Idaho

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:14:21 +0000

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/31/2024 - 15:14

Learn about the Legal Action of Wisconsin's efforts to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization by enhancing staff retention, morale, and hiring practices in this case study.

Legal Action of Wisconsin: Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

Grantees will learn how Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW):

1. Integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values within the organization’s culture;
2. Enhanced staff retention and morale; and
3. Expanded diversity and inclusion for clients.

Hear from Jennifer L. Johnson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at LAW, about the DEI Committee crafting LAW's vision, values, and mission and overcoming challenges to incorporate DEI values into the organization.

View the Case Study

”Staff opinions and feedback are crucial to incorporating DEI into organizations, as is ensuring the staff feel valued and heard when leadership solicits their feedback.”

Jennifer L. Johson

Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Legal Action of Wisconsin

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COVID-19 Intake Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

Wisconsin

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:36:32 +0000

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/31/2024 - 14:36

Learn about Legal Services NYC's tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy in this case study.

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

Grantees will learn how Legal Services NYC (LSNYC):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Allocated resources and support for high-impact cases; and

3. Managed the team structure and pro bono partnerships.

Hear from Christine Clarke, Chief of Litigation and Advocacy at LSNYC, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

Christine Clarke

Chief of Litigation and Advocacy, Legal Services NYC

More on Strategic Planning

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More Model Practices and Innovations

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

New York

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:25:54 +0000

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:25

Learn Colorado Legal Services’ tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy through strategic litigation, handling related cases, and filing amicus briefs.

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Grantees will learn how Colorado Legal Services (CLS):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Handled high volumes of impactful cases; and

3. Filed amicus briefs to advocate for expanding civil protections.

Hear from Matt Baca, Executive Director of CLS, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

Matt Baca

Executive Director, Colorado Legal Services

More on Strategic Planning

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

Colorado

Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:49:53 +0000

Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights sierra-chacona… Tue, 07/02/2024 - 12:49

Read insights from executive directors on pressing issues facing legal aid organizations.

“I thought my job was planning, budgeting, board relationships, hiring, disciplining on occasion, and fundraising. That’s not really my job as director. Those are simply tasks. My one job was to try to model the behavior I expect of others.”

Jon Asher

Executive Director Emeritus, Colorado Legal Services

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Download as PDF

Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning Technology

Management

tuckera@lsc.gov — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:19:56 +0000

Management tuckera@lsc.gov Tue, 11/02/2021 - 15:19

Elevate your legal service management with insights from our Model Practices & Innovations platform. Explore effective strategies, tools, and case studies to enhance operational efficiency, resource allocation, and client service delivery within your legal aid organization.

Managing Legal Services

A well-run legal aid organization is governed by a committed and involved board of directors that exercises independent judgment in carrying out its fiduciary responsibility in the organization. Key leadership, starting with the executive director, sets the tone for excellence and establishes a shared vision and mission. The organization should provide opportunities for the development of new leaders and have a succession plan to ensure continuity.

The organization should be managed efficiently and effectively so resources are preserved and allocated to achieve the greatest impact in the community. This includes systems to ensure compliance with funder requirements, effective use of technology, effective administrative procedures, and allocation of sufficient resources to management and administrative functions and personnel.

Featured Management Resources”

Legal Aid Management Video Playlist

Explore model practice and innovation videos in this YouTube playlist curated by LSC’s Office of Training & Technical Assistance. Video topics include board governance, effective leadership, and growth management for legal aid organizations.

View Management Playlist

Featured Management Resources”

Examples, Models, and Resources

The Office of Training & Technical Assistance has collected sample policies, procedures, and related forms relevant to managing legal aid organizations. These resources cover topics from board governance to financial management to organizational management. Browse the documents and download your own copies by clicking the link below.

View Sample Policies, Procedures, and Resources

Featured Management Resources”

Info Sheet: The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s Fundraising”

In this info sheet, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, commonly known as Cleveland Legal Aid, shares its fundraising tactics, covering key areas like donor retention strategies, fundraising event planning, and establishing fundraising goals and metrics to evaluate success.

Learn Fundraising Strategies

Featured Management Resources”

Case Study: Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Learn how Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW) works to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into its organization externally to serve its clients more effectively and internally to foster an inclusive workplace environment

Discover How to Promote DEI

Management Resource Pages

Listed below are several resource pages that aim to help your legal aid organization.

Effective Board Governance

Each legal aid organization functions under the leadership of a nonprofit board of directors, the governing body of the organization. Each organization's board of directors is established based on its bylaws. Those elected jointly govern the organization. Board members generally see themselves as ambassadors of their organizations and work together to accomplish the organization's mission.

Successful Resource Development

Successful resource development starts with sufficient, capable, and trained staff—or consultants—dedicated to the development of new resources and maintenance of existing ones. Visit the Successful Resource Development Page to view guidance documents and case studies on resource identification and development.

Succession Planning

Succession planning anticipates such transitions and encompasses an intentional and systematic effort to ensure leadership continuity, as well as preserve institutional knowledge and minimize interruptions in service. Visit the Succession Planning resource page to view webinars and information on leadership longevity.

Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

Explore OPP Videos and Webinars

Breeglej@lsc.gov — Mon, 17 May 2021 13:48:25 +0000

Explore OPP Videos and Webinars Breeglej@lsc.gov Mon, 05/17/2021 - 09:48

Explore videos and webinars from the Office of Program Performance.

Training Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

small

Explore Board Governance Videos and Webinars

Breeglej@lsc.gov — Mon, 17 May 2021 13:38:55 +0000

Explore Board Governance Videos and Webinars Breeglej@lsc.gov Mon, 05/17/2021 - 09:38

Explore videos and webinars on effective Board Governance from BoardSource as well as those created and curated by the ��˶��.

Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Training

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tuckera@lsc.gov

Leading and Managing an Organization

A Culture of Systems Change

Legal Services NYC’s Impact Advocacy: A Culture of Systems Change

“LSNYC understands that potential impact litigation cases can come from any practice area, as well as outside the organization.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices & Innovations

Strategic Planning

Model Practices and Innovations: Strategic Planning

“As part of the organization’s strategic planning process, ULS adopted a staff leveling strategy to fulfill staff development needs, which helps staff identify professional goals and opportunities based on their interests and organizational needs.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices & Innovations

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices & Innovations

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

Legal Action of Wisconsin: Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

”Staff opinions and feedback are crucial to incorporating DEI into organizations, as is ensuring the staff feel valued and heard when leadership solicits their feedback.”

More on Management

More Model Practices and Innovations

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights

Seasoned Wisdom: Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights

“I thought my job was planning, budgeting, board relationships, hiring, disciplining on occasion, and fundraising. That’s not really my job as director. Those are simply tasks. My one job was to try to model the behavior I expect of others.”

More on Management

More Model Practices & Innovations

Management

Featured Management Resources”

Legal Aid Management Video Playlist

Featured Management Resources”

Examples, Models, and Resources

Featured Management Resources”

Info Sheet: The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s Fundraising”

Featured Management Resources”

Case Study: Legal Action of Wisconsin’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Explore OPP Videos and Webinars

Explore Board Governance Videos and Webinars