TRANSACTIONAL SUPERVISING ATTORNEY CAPACITY BUILDING PRACTICE AREA

Position Summary:

TakeRoot Justice’s Capacity Building Practice provides legal advice and assistance to: (i) groups of workers establishing worker-owned cooperative businesses and established workerowned cooperative businesses in connection with incorporation, governance and other
matters; (ii) small businesses in connection with commercial lease review and negotiations; and (iii) grassroots organizations, including nonprofits and unincorporated associations, in connection with incorporation, tax exemption and compliance with corporate, employment, tax and other laws. We provide creative technical assistance and legal solutions as we work toward the equitable control of resources through cooperative and other non-exploitative
institutions, with a particular focus on Indigenous, Black and Brown communities that have been historically exploited and marginalized.

TakeRoot seeks applicants for the position of Supervising Attorney in our Capacity Building practice, which currently includes one staff attorney. The Supervising Attorney will collaborate and provide mentorship as appropriate to the staff attorney, as well as interns and fellows.

The position offers a unique opportunity to practice in several innovative areas of the law while building relationships with local community organizers, leaders and service providers. The Supervising Attorney reports to the Executive Director of TakeRoot.

Practice Area Responsibilities:

• Represent start-up worker cooperatives on entity choice, assist in entity formation and draft governance documents;
• Represent existing worker cooperatives on contract, employment, intellectual property and other matters;
• Represent small businesses in commercial lease review and negotiations;
• Represent community-based organizations in entity formation, governance, tax exemption applications and compliance matters;
• Conduct workshops and trainings for community-based organizations and their members; and
• Advocate to legislative bodies and agencies in partnership with community-based organizations and their members regarding issues related to worker cooperatives, other small businesses and nonprofits at the city and state level.

Supervisory and Management Responsibilities:

• Train, supervise and mentor attorneys and interns to ensure professional development and competency in work being performed;
• Engage in periodic meetings with staff and volunteers to monitor workload, review their projects, and provide guidance as needed;
• Collaborate with the Director and staff of the practice area to develop and implement strategic planning for the practice area;
• Comply with all grant reporting requirements and supporting development department to ensure ongoing funding for the work; and
• Participate in management of TakeRoot together with other managers and the Director.

TakeRoot Responsibilities:

As an organization committed to democratic participation and decision-making, all staff:

• Support the growth of TakeRoot on other substantive and administrative projects, including participating in at least one internal governance committee;
• Cultivate relationships with current and potential funders; and
• Comply with all grant-reporting requirements.

Qualifications/Skills:

Required:
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience;
• Admission to the New York State Bar;
• Demonstrated commitment to grassroots efforts for economic, racial and social justice;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff in shaping and running the practice.

Strongly Preferred:
• Experience supervising a team of attorneys and non-attorneys;
• Fluency in two (2) or more languages, including Spanish; and
• Experience working with social justice and/or community organizing groups.

Timeline and Compensation/Benefits:

The anticipated start date for this position is November 2020, with the possibility of an earlier start date.

An excellent benefits package is available, with generous vacation, personal, and sick time, along with industry-leading medical and dental coverage. TakeRoot’s staff are on a fixed salary scale, and the salary for this position will be determined based on years of relevant experience in accordance with the scale.

Application instructions: Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter by email to jobs@takerootjustice.org, Attn: Cheryl Walker. Please include “CB Supervising Attorney” in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

TakeRoot Justice is an equal opportunity employer. TakeRoot encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with
disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities we serve.