About Legal Services of North Dakota
Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) is a statewide nonprofit law firm dedicated to providing free, high-quality civil legal assistance to lower-income North Dakotans and seniors. We work across housing, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, Indian law, and other critical areas that impact people’s lives.
We are a mission-driven, collaborative, and innovative organization that takes access to justice seriously and takes care of our people while doing it. Our team is smart, compassionate, and deeply committed to serving communities that are often overlooked by the legal system. We are also realistic. We know that demand for legal services far exceeds our capacity, which is why pro bono engagement is a central part of our strategy.
About This Role
LSND is creating a new leadership position: Director of Pro Bono & Bar Engagement. This is not an administrative coordinator role. This is a strategic, high-level leadership position for someone who wants to build something meaningful from the ground up and reshape how pro bono works in North Dakota.
You will design, implement, and sustain a statewide pro bono infrastructure that expands LSND’s capacity to serve more people without burning out staff or volunteers. You will work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Litigation, and Director of Intake and Native American to align pro bono opportunities with client needs and organizational capacity.
Externally, you will be LSND’s primary ambassador for pro bono, building strong relationships with the State Bar of North Dakota (SBAND), law firms, courts, UND School of Law, and community partners. Internally, you will build systems that make pro bono sustainable, integrated, and effective.
You will supervise the PAI Coordinator and lead efforts to recruit, train, and support volunteer attorneys, coordinate clinics and limited-scope services, and develop mentorship opportunities between LSND attorneys and volunteers.
If you love big-picture thinking, relationship-building, and project management and if you get energy from collaboration rather than hierarchy, this role may be for you.
Who You Are
We are not just looking for a “good lawyer.” We are looking for someone who is:
- Strategic and able to lead major initiatives independently.
- Collaborative and comfortable working across teams and with external partners.
- Emotionally intelligent and skilled at building trust and navigating relationships.
- Genuinely excited about pro bono and access to justice.
- Comfortable working remotely and using technology in a largely paperless environment.
- A strong communicator and networker who enjoys engaging with the bar, courts, and community partners.
- Systems-minded and able to think in terms of workflows, processes, and long-term sustainability.
If you prefer a rigid, hierarchical, paper-heavy work environment, this position is probably not a good fit.
Location & Work Environment
- This is a statewide role based in North Dakota.
- You must live in North Dakota, but your specific location does not matter.
- The position may be fully remote or hybrid.
- You should be comfortable working from home and using digital tools.
- Some statewide travel will be required for meetings, networking, and events.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school required.
- Admission to the North Dakota Bar preferred, or ability to obtain by reciprocity or waiver.
- At least five years of legal practice required.
- Experience leading complex projects, programs, or initiatives required.
- Experience with pro bono, access to justice, or civil legal aid strongly preferred.
- Experience working with courts, bar associations, law firms, or law schools is a plus.
Why Work at LSND?
We take work-life balance seriously and believe people do their best work when they are supported and trusted.
LSND offers:
- 35-hour work week.
- 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for employees.
- 403(b) retirement with match and employer-contribution.
- 14 paid holidays per year.
- Flexible scheduling.
- Strong support for remote work.
- A collaborative, mission-driven team that values kindness, creativity, and smart problem-solving.
- A leadership team that listens and values staff input.
- Opportunities for professional growth and meaningful impact.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter in the body of an email and their resume as a PDF attachment to Jen Lee, Executive Director at jlee@lsnd.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
