4499 - Pro Bono And Social Impact Coordinating Attorney

Working as part of Nixon Peabody LLP's (NP) dedicated Pro Bono and Social Impact team, including the Director of Pro Bono & Social Impact and the Pro Bono Partner, the Pro Bono and Social Impact Coordinating Attorney will assist in the overall management and development of the firm's pro bono and social impact programs. The Pro Bono and Social Impact Coordinating Attorney will be resident in the firm's Boston or Chicago office. The individual will work closely with relevant stakeholders to manage existing pro bono and social impact initiatives and launch new initiatives that build on the core strengths of the firm, bring those initiatives to successful execution, and provide support and guidance to volunteer attorneys and partner supervisors along the way.

NP's pro bono program is wide-ranging, including immigration, civil rights, veterans, non-profit corporate support, wills & estates, expungement, and impact litigation. NP's social impact initiative includes an annual firmwide Week of Service. Management and communication skills coupled with a sustained commitment to pro bono legal services, are critical. Projected starting date is February 2026. A hybrid work schedule is available for this position. Cover letter requested.

A career at Nixon Peabody is the opportunity to do work that matters. It's the chance to use your knowledge to shape what's ahead. To share, to innovate, to learn at a firm that taps the power of collective thinking.

We've created a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for our clients and each other. We offer fast growth, connectedness and training in business as well as law. And our rigorous standards assure you are part of a diverse team of top talent at every turn.

If you're someone who's looking toward the future, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL

• Pro Bono and Social Impact Engagement and Staffing
  • Promote widespread engagement and participation in the firm's pro bono and social impact program
  • Interact purposefully, one-on-one, with all firm attorneys, with primary responsibility for Boston and Chicago attorneys, to meaningfully integrate them into pro bono opportunities with clients
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with legal services providers and partner nonprofit organizations that refer pro bono matters to the firm. Work with organizations to maintain and expand existing pro bono and social impact collaborations, and explore new relationships
  • Arrange training opportunities for firm attorneys and provide materials, and other resources to support them
  • Manage the collection and distribution of pro bono opportunities received from legal services providers and other sources
  • Identify and evaluate pro bono matters for eligibility and appropriateness
  • Track progress and outcomes of pro bono matters and take steps to ensure their timely completion, including supporting transition of pro bono matters of departing attorneys
  • Develop and manage pro bono collaborations with corporate clients
  • Assist with planning for annual NP Impact Week of Service event
  • Represent the firm, maintain an active presence, and participate in access to justice initiatives developed by or in partnership with the legal services community

• Program Management Functions

  • Develop and maintain department resources for the firm, including pro bono policies and procedures, training materials, templates, and other resources
  • Submit conflicts checks for new pro bono matters, send case opening emails, and provide attorney teams with billing information, relevant training materials, and internal procedures
  • Assist with responses to auditors, legal services organizations, and nonprofit clients about hours and expenses related to pro bono matters
  • Apply an understanding of risk management issues related to pro bono practice; advise attorneys taking on public interest work; and implement risk management measures for intake, staffing, supervision, tracking status, and closing pro bono matters
  • Maintain pro bono databases and tracking systems with up-to-date information about client matters, firm lawyers, and pro bono opportunities
  • Assist with monitoring of pro bono and social impact expenses and budgeting
  • Support the Firmwide Pro Bono Committee to schedule committee meetings, draft agendas, and follow up on committee requests
  • Perform other duties as assigned

• Communications and Marketing

  • Work with Communications and Marketing teams to monitor and provide content to promote the firm's pro bono and social impact efforts on the firm's internal pro bono and social impact intranet page, external website, and social media channels
  • Assist with presentations for firmwide events, including annual pro bono celebration lunches, attorney and staff orientations, and other trainings
  • Assist with regular internal reporting of pro bono metrics to Firm Leadership and external annual survey reporting, including the American Lawyer and the Pro Bono Institute
  • Assist with drafting pro bono award nominations or other submissions
  • Provide content as needed for Marketing, Business Development, and Recruiting materials

• Substantive Law Functions

  • In appropriate cases, and consistent with subject matter experience, advise on substantive legal issues and consult on case strategy
  • Mentor junior attorneys in development of case management, drafting, client relationship, and litigation skills

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job responsibility listed above, satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Nixon Peabody retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the skills and abilities required.

• J.D. Degree with relevant legal practice experience is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
• 5-7 years of legal experience, with very strong preference for candidates with an understanding of private law firm practice and familiarity with the public interest legal services sector.
• Experience in pro bono management and/or program management preferred.
• Position will be based in Nixon Peabody's Boston or Chicago office, but responsibilities extend to all Nixon Peabody offices and will require periodic travel.
• The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, flexible and adaptable, possess excellent proofreading and communication skills, be able to meet concrete deadlines, and have a can-do attitude.
• Additional requirements:
  • Organized and self-directed approach to work with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Lead projects and accomplish objectives in a timely manner with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrate exceptional client service and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationships with people at all organizational levels of the firm, vendors, and legal services partner organizations.
  • Excellent judgment and discretion, including as to highly confidential and sensitive information.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively work independently and as part of a diverse team.
  • Strong data and technology skills. Willingness and ability to learn new software programs.
  • Spanish language fluency is preferred but not required.

Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: Disability / Veteran. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E-Verify. All newly-hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows:

• Chicago, IL: $118,000 to $174,900
• Boston, MA: $118,000 to $174,900

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody's good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting.

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