Organizational Structure

Governance

An active, rotating, volunteer board of directors governs CNPLS. The board has 12 members and convenes 6 times per year, with 7 members constituting a quorum.  60% must be attorneys with 40% of large and client representative.  The Jackson County Bar Association president is an ex-officio board member.

The CNPLS board develops agency policy, approves the operating budget, monitors fiscal management, approves agreements with local and state funding sources and evaluates programs and service delivery.

CNPLS has a Strategic Plan regarding expanding services and developing funds for support of agency programs and activities. We have an exceptionally diversified pool of funding sources.

Organizational Planning

CNPLS has predetermined standards of performance against which it measures its progress toward meeting objectives. The Executive Director reviews computer data and examines monthly and quarterly reports.

Every other year – an extensive survey is completed in the community to assess the current community priorities and to be sure the CNPLS programs are meeting those priorities. 

Local and state bar association members carry out peer review. CNPLS updates the documentation reflecting the necessity for all of its programs through quarterly review and year-end analysis.

Client input, local and state partners who refer clients to our services, demonstrates that CNPLS programs make a positive difference in the lives of those served and in society as a whole.

Each year  CNPLS recognizes the efforts of a lawyer with the William V. Deatherage Pro Bono Award.  In recognition of the dedication shown by Bill to the legal profession and his vision of equal access to justice. The award is given each year at the Center for NonProfit Legal Services’ Founders breakfast.  

Staff

The Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day operations and reports directly to the board of directors. 

Attorneys and support staff are organized into four specialty law units:

• Housing/Consumer Law – Working to prevent homelessness and to maintain safe and affordable housing; protecting consumers from unlawful trade practice and predatory lending practices
• Family Law – Providing peaceable means of resolving conflict, especially domestic violence, in families with minor children
• Public Benefits – Working to secure stable state and federal assistance and to secure fair and lawful treatment by government agencies
• Employment/Individual Rights – concentrating on protecting individuals and families with special needs access to employment through expungement and handling wage claims

Three staff attorneys each have over 30 years of collective experience.

In addition, eleven pro bono (volunteer) attorneys assist staff attorneys with client cases and a panel of 15 to 20 private bar attorneys share limited referrals from our office, in conflict situations or overflow cases.

Board Roster