The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) is conducting a nationwide search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (www.namwolf.org) is a nonprofit trade association comprised of minority and women owned law firms and other interested parties throughout the United States. We provide excellence in legal services and are proud to be one of the most powerful networks in the industry.

NAMWOLF is seeking an enthusiastic CEO who will work under the direction of the Board of Directors and supervision of its Chair. Together, they will work closely with the NAMWOLF team to help grow the Association while building strong relationships with its members, supporters and partners. The CEO will be focused on promoting NAMWOLF and its overall management and operation. S/he will be a passionate leader who will have exceptional organizational skills and vision with a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

A statement of the job description and required qualifications is included below.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to the NAMWOLF Board Chair, John M. Murdock at jmurdock@pottermurdock.com no later than February 28, 2020. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

NAMWOLF CEO Job Description

Under the direction of and in conjunction with the Board of Directors and supervision of its Chair, the CEO is responsible for promoting NAMWOLF and its overall management and operation including management of the NAMWOLF team.  

The CEO must be an enthusiastic, passionate leader with excellent organizational skills, vision, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Must be passionate about the mission of NAMWOLF and serve as the face of the organization.  The CEO will work closely with the Board and NAMWOLF team to manage and grow the Association while maintaining strong relations with NAMWOLF law firm members, corporate supporters and NAMWOLF Business Partners. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

NAMWOLF’s CEO will have many duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to the following: 

  • Serve as NAMWOLF’s primary representative to corporations, governmental agencies, and NAMWOLF law firm members and Business Partners focusing on education, outreach, advocacy and growth.
  • Manage the day-to-day operations of NAMWOLF including operational issues, staffing, finance, initiatives and communications with the Board, law firm members and corporate supporters and NAMWOLF Business Partners.   
  • Lead the implementation of NAMWOLF short-term and long-term strategies. Recommend and participate in the development of plans, policies and goals to grow the Association and help the Association achieve its stated goals. Implement decisions and directives as instructed by the Board and Executive Committee.
  • Oversee the overall finances of the organization, including budgeting, tax filings, financial forecasting and cash flow. Lead the Association in the audit process every other year. Provide support and direction to the Board or its designee in connection with the finances of the organization.
  • Support the Board Chair in creating Board meeting agendas and running orderly Board Meetings. Work with the Board Chair and the NAMWOLF General Counsel as appropriate to ensure compliance with NAMWOLF’s by-laws, policies and all relevant laws.
  • Manage the NAMWOLF team effectively to ensure high engagement and productivity. Manage the ideal combination of full-time and part-time employees as well as use of independent contractors.
  • Oversee all sponsorship activities of the Association including sponsorships from Member Firms, Business Partners and corporations. Create yearly sponsorship targets and growth opportunities for sponsorship. Develop, maintain and enhance ongoing relationships with the Association’s sponsors and provide direction and support to generate other sources of revenue.
  • Oversee all branding of the Association including optimal use of social media and NAMWOLF’s website to increase the Association’s brand. This also includes participating on panels, presenting to corporations and the legal community and being sought out as an expert in the legal diversity and inclusion space.
  • Network with other legal diversity organizations, corporate legal departments and other parties interested in legal diversity to forge successful relationships and manage relationships with current and prospective members and sponsors.
  • Actively oversee and facilitate strategies to obtain more opportunities with corporations for Association’s law firm members.
  • Oversee the planning, coordinating and hosting of all Association programs and events.
  • Provide support to the NAMWOLF committees and strengthen the effectiveness of the
  • Association’s communications with members and sponsors.
  • Oversee NAMWOLF’s pipeline diversity efforts including participating on the pipeline scholarship committee and identifying other innovative pipeline initiatives.
  • Become a respected and knowledgeable champion for diversity in the legal profession and educate constituents and the greater legal community on issues of diversity, inclusion and status of minority and women-owned and LGBTQ law firms.
  • Advocate for increased opportunities for minority and woman-owned law firms and promote the use of NAMWOLF firms to the public and private sector. Also, advocate for “big law” to use more NAMWOLF Member Firms through partnering between big law and Member Firms.
  • Work in conjunction with the Advocacy Committee to advocate for legislation, agency rules and administrative orders and directives that will create and foster greater business opportunities for minority and women-owned law firms.
  • Increase in-house counsel participation in NAMWOLF including adding new corporations as well as increasing existing participation within corporate law departments.

Qualifications

Education – Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited institution with a combination of managerial or law-related experience and education. Law degree strongly preferred.

Skills – Strong leadership, management, organizational, financial, analytical, and written and oral communication skills. Strategic thinker who not only is adept at creating a vision but executing on the vision as well.

  • Ability to work effectively with diverse groups both internally and externally. Excellent business acumen and high emotional intelligence.
  • Ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate situations, issues, and opportunities important to the legal profession, NAMWOLF, member companies and governmental agencies.
  • Ability to think proactively, creatively and quickly.
  • Ability to manage and grow NAMWOLF and its resources.
  • Excellent public speaker who is passionate about diversity and inclusion.
  • At least 10 years’ experience as an executive level manager in either a non-profit association, law firm, in-house legal group or a related business. Experience managing a team and groups of individuals with disparate interests. Experience with budgeting, fiscal planning, fundraising/development and strategic thinking. Experience working with volunteers, boards, and committees as a leader. Experience in advocacy, outreach and public affairs. Experience using technology and social media as a marketing tool. Experience in public speaking. Past involvement in NAMWOLF is a plus but not mandatory.

Travel

Must have the ability to travel on a regular basis and must be willing to spend regular and significant time in the NAMWOLF office currently located in Chicago, IL.

Note: This document is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. NAMWOLF reserves the right to make changes to this document and the requirements of the underlying position as deemed necessary.

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