Leading and Managing an Organization

Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:51:01 +0000

Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives sierra-chacona… Thu, 07/23/2026 - 15:51

In this project brief, learn how Land of Lincoln Legal Aid developed and implemented several wellness initiatives to help its staff manage stress and maintain healthy work-life balances.

Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives

Grantees will learn how Land of Lincoln Legal Aid:
1. Identified burnout and workplace stress as a health risk for its staff,
2. Created clear caseload expectations to manage workload expectations, and
3. Helped foster a trauma-informed workplace culture that recognizes the emotional demands of legal aid work.

Hear directly from Land of Lincoln Executive Director Clarissa Gaff and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration Calvin Hwang as they shared the importance of these initiatives to holistically support their staff's wellbeing and continue their crucial legal aid work.

Read Project Brief

"We value our staff. They're our most important thing. They're coming to work and doing- really hard work. We just want to create a really supportive workplace and do what we can to alleviate stress, burnout, and other things."

Clarissa Gaff

Executive Director, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization

Supporting Legal Aid Staff’s Mental Well-Being: Self-Care and Organizational Action Tips

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:31:27 +0000

Supporting Legal Aid Staff’s Mental Well-Being: Self-Care and Organizational Action Tips sierra-chacona… Thu, 07/23/2026 - 15:31

In this infographic, learn several ways that legal aid staff can recognize signs of vicarious trauma in themselves and how organizations can foster trauma-informed workplaces that support staff's mental health well-being.

Supporting Legal Aid Staff's Mental Well-Being

Grantees will learn how several self-care and organizational action tips that contribute to a trauma-informed workplace, such as:
1. Building awareness of vicarious trauma symptoms,
2. Set and model work-life boundaries, and
3. Practice ongoing self-awareness.

Read infographic

"Legal aid professionals routinely carry the weight of their clients' hardest experiences, putting themselves at risk of vicarious trauma."

Excerpt from the infographic

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization

LSC Grantees Show What It Takes to Build Data-Driven Cultures

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:13:45 +0000

LSC Grantees Show What It Takes to Build Data-Driven Cultures sierra-chacona… Mon, 07/14/2025 - 16:13

In this case study, hear from three LSC grantees who have fostered data cultures to inform their activities and increase their legal service capacity.

LSC Grantees Show What it Takes to Build Data-Driven Cultures

In this case study, LSC's Office of Data Governance and Analysis (ODGA) interviews three grantees about their data-focused cultures: West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS), Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS), and Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP). Each grantee shares how they:

1. Strengthened and solidified the role of data in their operations;

2. Maximized their impact and advanced their mission through continuous learning and improvement; and

3. Engaged legal aid staff in data work to cultivate institutional knowledge, mission alignment, and client and community understanding.

Read about each program's lessons learned and replicable practices for other grantees starting to build data cultures within their organizations.

View Case Study

Building Blocks of Data Culture in Legal Aid

This guide offers LSC grantees a curated list of resources to help leaders and staff at all levels cultivate data-driven cultures. Learn how to:

1. Use data as part of daily work, decision-making, and learning;

2. Set the tone, model the behaviors, and create the space to explore data's role within legal aid organizations; and

3. Overcome resistance and build trust when shifting to data cultures triggers hesitation or skepticism among staff.

LSC's Office of Data Governance and Analysis will continuously update this resource list, providing grantees with new building blocks to support their data cultures.

View Guide

"I don't think there was a big 'aha' moment; I think it was a lot of little things along the way where you can kind of say, 'Hey, are we being effective? Well, how can we figure it out? Let's look at the numbers!'"

Laura Tuggle

Executive Director, SLLS

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Data Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization

Leadership Transitions: Key Elements in Legal Aid Succession Plans

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:41:50 +0000

Leadership Transitions: Key Elements in Legal Aid Succession Plans sierra-chacona… Tue, 04/22/2025 - 11:41

Learn about the key elements that LSC grantees include in their succession plans to guide them through executive leadership departures.

Key Elements in Legal Aid Succession Plans

Grantees will learn the key elements that LSC grantees, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) and Colorado Legal Services (CLS), included in their organizational succession plans:

1. Organization-wide leadership development

2. Internal and external stakeholder engagement

3. Examples of legal aid stakeholders to include in executive leadership searches.

NLSLA, CLS, and other LSC grantees have shared their succession plans as examples on MPI's Succession Planning webpage here.

View Infographic

"Creating strong succession plans helps legal aid organizations protect client services during leadership changes."

Excerpt from the infographic

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

The Evolution of Legal Aid

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:08:28 +0000

The Evolution of Legal Aid sierra-chacona… Tue, 03/25/2025 - 15:08

In this video series, hear from experienced LSC grantee executive directors about their impact on legal aid and advice for their peers.

A Fireside Chat with Experienced Executive Directors

Grantees will hear from current and retired LSC grantee executive directors (EDs) about:

1. Where they believe their leadership had the greatest impact

2. How did they adapt their organizations to legal aid's evolution throughout their careers

3. What advice they wish to pass on to current and future EDs.

LSC's Office of Training and Technical Assistance (OTTA) recorded this panel interview in April 2024 during its 50th Anniversary Celebration. This valuable opportunity allowed OTTA to capture and share the EDs' insights widely.

Watch on YouTube

"I think that's what I've done for the organization: identifying our key leadership so that when I transition out, I will be passing the torch to a new generation of leadership and legal services."

Yvonne Mariajimenez

President & CEO, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Featured Contributors

Vicki Schultz

Moderator

Executive Director, Maryland Legal Aid

César Torres

Executive Director (retired), Northwest Justice Project

Colleen Cotter

Executive Director, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

David Neumeyer

Executive Director, Virginia Legal Aid Society

Jon Asher

Executive Director Emeritus, Colorado Legal Services

Rhodia Thomas

Executive Director, MidPenn Legal Services

Yvonne Mariajimenez

President & CEO, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

A Culture of Systems Change

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:17:08 +0000

A Culture of Systems Change sierra-chacona… Tue, 08/27/2024 - 12:17

Learn about Legal Services NYC's litigation process and considerations for identifying potential impact litigation cases in this infographic.

Legal Services NYC’s Impact Advocacy: A Culture of Systems Change

Grantees will learn how Legal Services NYC (LSNYC):

1. Maximized resources to achieve the greatest possible benefits and systemic solutions;

2. Partnered in and out of the court systems to achieve the best possible outcome; and

3. Coordinated impact advocacy across five programs.

Discover how LSCNYC outlined the program’s litigation process and the factors to consider when identifying potential impact litigation cases.

Read Infographic

“LSNYC understands that potential impact litigation cases can come from any practice area, as well as outside the organization.”

Christine Clarke

Chief of Litigation and Advocacy, Legal Services NYC

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Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

New York

Leveling Up Staff as a Strategy for the Future

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:56:02 +0000

Leveling Up Staff as a Strategy for the Future sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:56

Learn about developing and revising comprehensive strategic plans with Utah Legal Services.

Utah Legal Services: Leveling Up Staff as a Strategy for the Future

Grantees will learn how Utah Legal Services (ULS):

1. Used innovative planning strategies to structure key tasks and timelines;

2. Adopted a staff leveling strategy to develop staff and promotion paths; and

3. Identified yearly goals and professional development opportunities.

Former ULS Deputy Director Amy Morgan shared how ULS developed a strategic plan with staff development in mind and key takeaways and tips on getting started.

Read Case Study

“As part of the organization’s strategic planning process, ULS adopted a staff leveling strategy to fulfill staff development needs, which helps staff identify professional goals and opportunities based on their interests and organizational needs.”

Excerpt from Case Study

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Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning

Utah

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:37:11 +0000

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:37

In this case study, learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services and Legal Aid of Western Michigan implemented action plans to help clientele in danger of losing housing during COVID-19.

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Grantees will learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) and Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM):

1. Accommodated the influx of housing and eviction assistance requests during COVID-19;

2. Created informative videos to educate the community about the eviction process; and

3. Spearheaded a statewide eviction diversion program (EDP) to provide early intervention.

Hear from Jacob Workman, Managing Attorney at ILAS, and Karen Tjapkes, Director of Litigation at LAWM, about managing an influx of civil legal aid requests and the expanding number of low-income individuals and families receiving eviction assistance during COVID-19.

Read Case Study

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

Excerpt from Case Study

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning Technology COVID-19 Housing / Evictions

Idaho

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:36:32 +0000

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/31/2024 - 14:36

Learn about Legal Services NYC's tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy in this case study.

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

Grantees will learn how Legal Services NYC (LSNYC):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Allocated resources and support for high-impact cases; and

3. Managed the team structure and pro bono partnerships.

Hear from Christine Clarke, Chief of Litigation and Advocacy at LSNYC, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

Christine Clarke

Chief of Litigation and Advocacy, Legal Services NYC

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

New York

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:25:54 +0000

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:25

Learn Colorado Legal Services’ tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy through strategic litigation, handling related cases, and filing amicus briefs.

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Grantees will learn how Colorado Legal Services (CLS):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Handled high volumes of impactful cases; and

3. Filed amicus briefs to advocate for expanding civil protections.

Hear from Matt Baca, Executive Director of CLS, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

Matt Baca

Executive Director, Colorado Legal Services

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

Colorado

Leading and Managing an Organization

Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives

Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives

Supporting Legal Aid Staff's Mental Well-Being

Five Tips for Resource Readability

The Importance of Succession Planning

More Management Resources

More Model Practices and Innovations

Supporting Legal Aid Staff’s Mental Well-Being: Self-Care and Organizational Action Tips

Supporting Legal Aid Staff's Mental Well-Being

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc.: Staff Wellness and Workplace Sustainability Initiatives

Five Tips for Resource Readability

The Importance of Succession Planning

More Management Resources

More Model Practices and Innovations

LSC Grantees Show What It Takes to Build Data-Driven Cultures

LSC Grantees Show What it Takes to Build Data-Driven Cultures

Building Blocks of Data Culture in Legal Aid

: From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

Legal Aid of North Carolina: Inspiring Bold Ideas with the Innovation Olympics

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland: Generating Financial Support for Legal Aid

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Leadership Transitions: Key Elements in Legal Aid Succession Plans

Key Elements in Legal Aid Succession Plans

LSC Asks Executive Directors: What Has Meant the Most to You about Your Career in Legal Aid?

The Evolution of Legal Aid: A Fireside Chat with Experienced Executive Directors

The Importance of Succession Planning

More Management Resources

More Model Practices & Innovations

The Evolution of Legal Aid

A Fireside Chat with Experienced Executive Directors

Featured Contributors

Seasoned Wisdom: Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights

LSC Asks Executive Directors

The Importance of Succession Planning

More Management Resources

More Model Practices and Innovations

A Culture of Systems Change

Legal Services NYC’s Impact Advocacy: A Culture of Systems Change

“LSNYC understands that potential impact litigation cases can come from any practice area, as well as outside the organization.”

Using Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Strategic Planning

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices & Innovations

Leveling Up Staff as a Strategy for the Future

Utah Legal Services: Leveling Up Staff as a Strategy for the Future

“As part of the organization’s strategic planning process, ULS adopted a staff leveling strategy to fulfill staff development needs, which helps staff identify professional goals and opportunities based on their interests and organizational needs.”

A Culture of Systems Change

Veteran Legal Aid Leaders Share Their Insights

Capital Fundraising Campaign

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices & Innovations

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

Library Partnerships During Disaster Recovery

Expanding Services to Bridge the Digital Divide

Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices & Innovations

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

A Culture of Systems Change

Strategic Planning

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

Using Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

A Culture of Systems Change

Strategic Planning

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations