The Beacon

📢 Exciting Opportunity to Join VJLAP’s Team🌟🤩 🌟

If you want to make a difference and contribute to the betterment and well-being of the legal profession by educating and supporting legal professionals, work with an amazing team, as well as, judges, lawyers, law students, and other members of the Southwest legal APPLY TODAY. Instructions for how to apply are below in the job description.

VJLAP Southwest Region Manager

Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (“VJLAP” or “program”) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, that provides respectful, confidential, complimentary, and non-disciplinary assistance, support and referrals to attorneys, judges, magistrates, law school students, non-barred attorneys, paralegals, other legal professionals, and immediate family members in the Commonwealth of Virginia affected by mental health, substance use, processing addictions and other issues. Assistance includes, but is not limited to clinical assessments, peer support, compliance monitoring, referrals, consultations with concerned employers, colleagues, and family members and intervention services. The program also offers complimentary educational presentations and Virginia MCLE Board approved continuing legal education to various legal employers and firms, voluntary bar associations, judicial organizations, law schools and agencies in the Commonwealth to raise awareness of VJLAP’s services and the impact that substance use, and mental health disorders have on the legal profession as well as provide guidance and information to legal professionals to help prevent disciplinary problems, protect clients, support family members and professional associates and strengthen the legal profession.

The VJLAP corporate office is in Glen Allen, Virginia. Area managers have strategically been positioned throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to improve accessibility and better support the legal community. Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program has an immediate opportunity for a Southwest Region Manager. Refer to the attached map for geographic areas of primary responsibility. The position reports directly to the VJLAP Clinical Director. This is a remote position requiring frequent local and in-state travel (estimated to be about 25-40%).

Ideal candidates will be authentic and empathic leaders, that bring a strong sense of professionalism, a results-driven mindset, and a collaborative spirit to contribute to VJLAP’s continued success. It’s preferred that the Southwest Region Manager reside in the Southwest region and be familiar with the courts, firms, bar associations and community culture. The individual must also be a team-oriented professional, demonstrate a commitment to achieving collective goals while also exhibiting proficiency in working independently. The role requires individuals who can strike a balance between being a team player and an independent contributor. If you want to help, support and educate the legal community, possess the necessary skills, and are dedicated to delivering impactful results, VJLAP encourages you to apply and become part of VJLAP’s amazing team.

General Duties:

• Strategically market and promote VJLAP and the services provided emphasizing the benefits, confidentiality, and supportive nature of the program to the Judicial Circuits and District Courts, law firms, including large, mid-size and small and solo law firms, school administrators, faculty and students, mental health providers and treatment facilities, voluntary bar associations, Commonwealth Attorneys’ offices, Public Defenders’ offices, Guardians Ad Litem, and other groups, organizations, and legal professionals throughout the Southwest region. Marketing may include outreach via email, telephone calls, face-to-face meetings, educational presentations, and other ways to promote the program and encourage engagement.
• Develop, maintain, and support strong working relationships with and regularly communicate with Judicial Circuits and District Courts, law firms, law school administrators, faculty and students, mental health providers and treatment facilities, voluntary bar associations, Commonwealth Attorneys’ offices, Public Defenders’ offices, Guardians Ad Litem, and other groups, organizations, and legal professionals throughout the SW Region that could benefit from VJLAP’s services.
• Act as a known and first point-of-contact for attorneys, judges, magistrates, law school students, non-barred attorneys, paralegals, other legal professionals, and immediate family members in the Southwest region of the Commonwealth of Virginia seeking information, assistance, and support from VJLAP.
• Solicit and develop opportunities to educate and raise awareness about VJLAP’s programs and services and provide information about the occupational risks of practicing law, the importance of well-being, emerging trends, solutions, and other topics applicable to the legal industry.
• Keep current and stay informed about relevant studies, surveys, and emerging data. Be aware of occupational risks, industry challenges and latest developments in well-being and occupational health within the legal community as well as current and relevant mental health issues (imposter syndrome, vicarious trauma, depression, anxiety, stress), the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, the Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, and other laws and regulations.
• Enhance the visibility of VJLAP and promote VJLAP’s services and events in the Southwest area, by way of outreach efforts, presentations, retreats, relationship building meetings/calls/emails and other community engagement efforts.
• Manage cases and provide support to program participants, as needed, dealing with substance use, mental health and/or other challenges consistent with the program and professional standards. Because of the diverse clientele and range of issues, support varies depending on the specific needs of each participant. Support may include actively listening, providing referrals, conducting assessments, exploring coping skills, helping establish goals, and navigate challenges.
• Maintain currency of the VJLAP case management system.
• Timely track and report monthly activities (new cases, presentations, exhibit opportunities, constituent collaborations, etc.).
• Assist with planning and executing VJLAP’s retreats, including the Fall Retreat and the Women’s Legal Professional Retreat, by contributing to the development of topics, securing speakers, drafting outlines, marketing, attending meetings and other efforts.
• Recruit volunteers in the Southwest region.
• Participate in weekly VJLAP team and clinical meetings, VJLAP board meetings, VJLAP related retreats and other meetings as required.
• Attend Virginia State Bar disciplinary, impairment and other hearings when required.
• Attend Virginia Board of Bar Examiner Character and Fitness hearings as required.
• Present and exhibit at scheduled conferences, workshops, meetings, law school events, committees as planned and scheduled.
• Create informative and current educational materials for presentations, continuing legal education courses and similar.
• Maintain a strong connection ensuring effective communication and partnership with the law schools to support students, faculty, and staff. Candidate will be responsible for maintaining regular office hours (in person and virtual depending on the need) to provide support, guidance and foster a positive relationship with students, faculty, and staff. Candidate will also teach a Professional Responsibility or similar ethics class each semester and participate in relevant events, including wellness fairs and other opportunities.
• Contribute to VJLAP’s quarterly newsletter and other publications by authoring articles or soliciting volunteers to contribute.
• Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• Run weekly VJLAP Support or 12-Step meetings.
• Staff the VJLAP Hotline as assigned.
• Support VJLAP’s Education and Outreach Manager, Clinical Director, and Executive Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Experienced licensed attorney, in good standing with the Virginia State Bar, with an understanding of the occupational risks to practicing law, the well-being movement in the law, and general mental health and substance abuse issues, or a licensed therapist credentialed in Virginia (LPC, LCSW, LMFT) or an individual with an advanced degree in the social work, counseling, psychology or related field familiar with the legal profession and the unique challenges faced by lawyers, judges and law school students and other legal professionals.
• Strong marketing and business development abilities and capacity to generate interest and engagement for VJLAP. The successful candidate should possess skills in effectively promoting and attracting participation in VJLAP initiatives and will play a pivotal role in promoting the program and fostering trust among the legal community.
• Possess an understanding of relevant studies, surveys, and emerging data, occupational risks and industry challenges and familiar with the latest developments in well-being and occupational health within the legal community as well as current and relevant mental health issues (imposter syndrome, vicarious trauma, depression, anxiety), the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, the Rules of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners and other rules.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of individuals, including, but not limited to legal professionals, mental health providers and community stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to network and build professional relationships with judicial associations, legal organizations, law schools, mental health providers and others.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries.
• Must work well under pressure, possess excellent time management and organizational abilities, successfully manage daily tasks and competing priorities and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively collaborate.
• Demonstrated commitment to well-being.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Southwest region of Virginia with some overnight stays (estimated to be about 25 – 40%).
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype, Zoom, and Outlook.
• Possess a valid state driver’s license, reliable transportation, and automobile insurance.
• Pass a background check and a drug screen.
• Preferred Qualifications: (i) reside in the Southwest region of the Commonwealth of Virginia; (ii) member of the legal profession with personal experience or an understanding of the occupational risks to practicing law, the well-being movement in the law, and general mental health and substance abuse issues.

This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties and responsibilities may change over time based on needs.

Southwest Region:

Judicial Circuits and Districts – 30^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Lee, Scott, Wise/Norton; 29^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell; 28^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Bristol, Smyth, Washington; 27^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Galax (GDC and J&DR DC), Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Radford, Wythe; 25^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts (part): Alleghany, Craig, Botetourt (Augusta, Bath, Buena Vista, Highland, Rockbridge, Staunton and Waynesboro are the responsibility of another); 23^rd Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts (part) Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem; 22^nd Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Danville, Franklin; and Pittsylvania; 21^st Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts: Henry, Martinsville, Patrick; 10^th Circuit/General District/J&DR District Courts (part): Appomattox, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward (Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland are the responsibility of another).

Law Schools – Appalachian School of Law, Grundy, VA; Liberty University School of Law, Lynchburg, VA; Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, VA

Law Firms

Bar Associations

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, three recent professional references and a writing sample to tcarroll@vjlap.org. The writing sample should be an essay, 750 words or less, related to well-being and the legal profession. Please feel free to share your insights, experiences, or reflections. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.