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Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities. We provide legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities.

Our vision: Voices elevated. People empowered. Equity achieved.

Our values: Justice & Dignity / Informed Leadership / Unwavering Commitment / Fierce Advocacy / Access & Opportunities

 

Current Openings: 
Staff Attorney/Access Coordinator

Job description:

Disability Rights Ohio is a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities. We provide a collaborative, supportive, mission-focused work environment. With a 35-hour work week, flexible scheduling, remote work opportunities, paid holidays, and generous paid time off, our organization promotes a healthy work-life balance. Our team members enjoy competitive health, vision, and dental insurance, along with a matching 401K plan.

We are seeking an attorney to join our legal team. The Attorney provides legal advice to Disability Rights Oho (DRO) clients, conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda as needed, engages in individual representation and complex litigation, participates in community outreach and policy determination on disability issues. While there will be opportunities to work on various disability-related advocacy issues as needed, the Attorney will primarily focus on work related to voting advocacy and work related to advocacy for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Essential Job Duties:

  • Provides legal advice, consultation and research on general issues to DRO clients, receives and investigates complaints regarding civil and human rights of DRO clients and negotiates resolution, settlement and litigation of legal matters.
  • Conducts legal research and prepares legal briefs, memoranda and pleadings on complex litigation on behalf of Disability Rights Ohio.
  • Prepares cases for trial and independently tries cases in state and federal courts, examines witnesses, presents legal arguments and evidence and handles appeals for DRO clients.
  • Reviews provider rules, programs and policies for client’s rights implications.
  • Works in cooperation with other program staff, answers inquiries and provides referrals and technical assistance concerning client’s rights to government officials and the general public.
  • Performs related legal and administrative work (e.g. serves subpoenas, prepares reports and maintain records, including time logs in cases where attorney fees are available).
  • Confers with team leaders, administrators and other attorneys concerning difficult legal problems.
  • Attends conferences and participates in continuing legal education.
  • Conducts intakes as assigned.
  • Writes publications and conducts public speaking to clients and related groups as assigned.

The Access Coordinator will work in consultation with the General Counsel to assist DRO with utilizing and enforcing our P&A system access authority.

  • Be a primary contact for program staff, service providers, and others regarding questions and/or disputes about P&A system access authority.
  • Review communications (including records requests, requests for facility access, or requests for resident access) from program staff to outside service providers, facilities, or government entities that implicate P&A system access authority.
  • Develop and conduct trainings for internal program staff, services providers, government entities, or other individuals or organizations regarding P&A system access authority.
  • Develop or modify policies and procedures regarding the strategic use of P&A system access authority, and mentor staff attorneys and advocates who are using P&A system access authority.
  • Develop materials for public distribution regarding P&A system access authority.
  • Recommend litigation to the Legal Advocacy Director and General Counsel when necessary to enforce access authority.
  • Act as lead counsel in administrative and/or federal/state court litigation seeking to enforce P&A system access authority.
  • Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Graduate of law school and admission to Ohio Bar and admitted or eligible for admission to the Northern and Southern District Courts, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Commitment to mission of the P & A and to the civil rights of all people.
  • Understanding of and commitment to client directed advocacy.
  • Proficiency in oral and written communication and computer literacy.
  • Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds and abilities.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.
  • Ability to travel.

Please submit cover letter with resume to HR@disabilityrightsohio.org

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Starting at $60,904, with additional compensation for the coordinator role and increases based on years of experience.
Benefits: 401(k) matching, Dental insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, Paid time off, Retirement plan, Vision insurance, Sick Leave
Schedule: Monday to Friday

Experience:

  • Attorneys: 2 years (Preferred)
  • Experience at P&A/Familiarity with access authority statutes (Preferred)

License/Certification: Bar Certification

Work Location: Remote

 

 

Legal Advocacy Director

Job Description:

Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is seeking a full-time Legal Advocacy Director for our nonprofit organization with a commitment to our mission and core values. Reporting to the President and CEO, the Legal Advocacy Director assists the CEO in establishing, defining, and implementing agency goals and objectives. This position directs and coordinates legal advocacy; supervises attorney team leaders, the Associate Advocacy Director, the Intake Team Leader, and the Policy Director; and assures that agency priorities are implemented.

DRO offers an attractive compensation package including the following benefits:

  • 35-hour work week.
  • Fully on-site, hybrid, and remote working options after completion of onboarding.
  • Health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance coverage effective on the 1st of the month after date of hire.
  • Retirement plan with company match.
  • Paid time off beginning at 14 days per year, with step increases after one, five, and eight years of service.
  • 14 paid holidays.
  • Professional development stipend, including CLE allowance.
  • A fun, collaborative culture that promotes advocating for and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provides leadership and strategic direction to advocacy and policy teams, and supervises attorney team leaders, the Associate Advocacy Director, the Intake Team Leader, and the Policy Director.
  • Provides strategic leadership for and oversees DRO’s legal advocacy work including systemic and policy advocacy, monitoring and investigation activities, and litigation.
  • Directs and coordinates systemic initiatives using a multi-faceted approach to achieve broad-reaching outcomes for Ohioans with disabilities.
  • Oversees all litigation activities, including planning, leading and coordinating complex litigation, serving as lead counsel on significant impact litigation, leading teams and mentoring attorneys and advocates to ensure the highest quality legal representation for DRO’s clients.
  • Develops a strategic approach to identifying and pursuing impact litigation and systemic initiatives to further DRO’s priorities in the most effective and efficient manner within limited resources.
  • Presents information at conferences and training events to further the mission of DRO and to provide rights education and empower Ohioans with disabilities.
  • Supports DRO’s policy advocacy work by: coordinating legal support for Policy Director; reviewing comments on federal and state regulations; supporting the development of testimony for federal and state legislation; and attending meetings with high-ranking public officials.
  • Develops and supports collaborative relationships with stakeholders to further DRO’s mission, enhance the effectiveness of advocacy initiatives and promotes the empowerment of people with disabilities.
  • Assists with identification of advocacy needs and development of DRO’s programmatic priorities, including supporting the leadership team in developing and promoting strategic and collaborative advocacy to implement DRO’s priorities.
  • Supports development of new projects, including identifying and supporting grant and funding opportunities to enhance and support DRO’s advocacy work.
  • Assists the CEO with strategic planning and supports the Board of Directors by providing regular reports on advocacy activities and outcomes.
  • Ensures the quality of legal work by: developing effective methods for case reviews and supervision of all legal work including advocacy by non-attorneys; providing legal training to promote the highest levels of client-directed advocacy; mentoring attorneys to develop expertise in disability law and legal procedures; and ensuring adequate legal support for all aspects of DRO’s advocacy work.
  • Supports organization fiscal operations by working with the Finance Director to manage grant spending by advocacy teams.
  • Performs other duties as required.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • A strong commitment to the human, civil and legal rights of Ohioans with disabilities.
  • Strong leadership skills, with an understanding of how teams work and relate internally to provide maximum results. This includes leveraging leadership for overall effectiveness in the office and management of staff.
  • Experience with litigation strategy including class actions and federal court litigation.
  • Ability to learn complex legal and grant requirements.
  • Clarity of communication, specifically with diverse audiences.
  • An excellent listener with the ability to consider all perspectives on relevant issues.
  • Outstanding problem-solving skills.
  • A deep understanding of disability systems preferred.

Credentials and Education:

  • Graduate of accredited law school and admitted to, or eligible for admission to, Ohio Bar and a member of good standing.
  • Experience in supervision and management.
  • At least 5 years’ experience as an attorney.
  • Admitted to, or eligible for admission to, U.S. district courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
  • Commitment to mission of the P & A and to the civil rights of all people.
  • Understanding of and commitment to client directed advocacy.
  • Proficiency in oral and written communication, and computer literacy.
  • Ability to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and to deal effectively with and negotiate through confrontational situations and stressful interactions.
  • Ability to travel.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH GO-HR TO FILL THIS POSITION.

Any inquiries to Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) will be directed to GO-HR at info@go-hr.biz. Please include a cover letter to accompany your resume.

Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment activities based on any protected class. This job description is designed to be a good representation of the job requirements but is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Employment at DRO is at-will; this job description does not constitute a contract of employment.

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