Executive Director – Student Legal Services
Location: Charlottesville, VA (Compensation: $ 85,000 – $100,000 (Commensurate with experience) Benefits: Health insurance and retirement reimbursement compensation.
About the Organization
Dedicated to supporting the University of Virginia (UVA) student community, Student Legal Services at the University of Virginia provides essential legal aid to students navigating the complexities of the legal system. From protecting housing rights to defending against criminal and traffic charges as needed, we try to prevent legal hurdles and issues from derailing a student’s education or future. We are looking for an attorney dedicated helping young people who is as comfortable in a courtroom as they are leading a "Know Your Rights" workshop on campus. There can be a broad range of issues that come into the office, and there are ebbs and flows of case types. In recent years, however, housing issues have constituted a significant majority of intakes, with the next most common area of legal issues involving traffic and criminal matters.
The Role
The Executive Director serves as the attorney and chief administrator for the office. You will be a hybrid advocate: a litigator representing students in court, a mentor supervising interns, and a proactive educator using digital platforms and workshops to prevent legal issues before they start. This role offers the autonomy of a private practice with the mission-driven heart of a nonprofit.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Legal Representation: Provide counsel and courtroom representation for UVA students in matters involving housing/landlord-tenant disputes, criminal defense, record expungement, and consumer law.
Case & Office Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of student intakes, case files, and office administration to ensure efficient operations.
Preventative Education: Design and lead "Know Your Rights" workshops and outreach programs specifically tailored to student life.
Digital Engagement: Manage the organization’s social media presence and newsletters with the assistance of a student intern to provide accessible, timely legal education to the student body.
Mentorship: Supervise and mentor office interns, fostering the next generation of legal professionals.
Qualifications
Licensure: Must be an active member of the Virginia State Bar in good standing, or possess the immediate ability to waive into the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Experience: 5+ years of civil or criminal litigation experience is required.
Student-Centric Approach: Proven experience working with or assisting young adults (ages 17–25) and a genuine commitment to helping college students navigate legal challenges.
Communication: Ability to translate complex legal jargon into engaging content for social media and student-facing newsletters.
Autonomy: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage both a legal docket and the administrative needs of a nonprofit office.
Work Environment
the Director’s role requires keeping regular office hours and meeting job requirements and goals for running the office, attending court dates, workshops, and student meetings, etc. Nevertheless, SLS does offer an in-person and remote hybrid work for administrative tasks and legal consultations. This position is overseen by a Board of Advisors consisting of UVA Student Council members, professors, local attorneys and UVA Student Affairs representatives.
How to Apply
Please send a resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience to our Board member Ned Michie [email protected] will collect them and distribute them to the full Board for consideration
Deadline for Application – 11:59 PM on February 4, 2026.