National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Position Description
Executive Director

July 2006


Overview: The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is the preeminent organization in the United States advancing the mission of the nation's criminal defense lawyers to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or other misconduct. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's more than 12,500 direct members – and 90 state, local, and international affiliate organizations with another 30,000 members – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, active United States military defense counsel, law professors, and judges committed to preserving fairness within America's criminal justice system. With a staff of 20 full-time employees located at its headquarters in downtown Washington, DC, NACDL’s annual budget is $4,053,000 and its unrestricted net assets (reserves) exceed $2,450,000.

NACDL’s Executive Director oversees NACDL's day-to-day operations and strategic focus, supervises its professional staff, and reports to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. The Executive Director oversees and manages NACDL’s:

(a) strategic and tactical goals of the Association’s representation before Congress and state legislative and regulatory bodies;
(b) publications;
(c) continuing legal education programs;
(d) public relations and communications efforts;
(e) substantive programs and projects for which the NACDL staff has responsibility;
(f) annual budget; and
(g) investments

The Executive Director serves as Publisher of The Champion magazine, and is responsible for all of NACDL’s printed materials and its Web site. In addition, the Executive Director facilitates the work of NACDL’s numerous committees and taskforces.

As Manager of the Foundation for Criminal Justice (FCJ) – an independent charitable organization founded by NACDL – the Executive Director manages its fundraising efforts, grant application review system, grant disbursements process, and investments. The Executive Director works closely with the FCJ’s Board of Trustees to advance the goals and mission of the Foundation.

The Executive Director’s additional responsibilities include:

I. Management and Supervision

1. Attract, lead, and manage the most effective professional staff possible;

2. Foster cohesion, collaboration, and unity of purpose throughout the organization, and the development of close working relations and teamwork among NACDL’s staff;

3. Work with the President, other Officers, Board members, and Committee leaders to set goals and strategies;

4. Ensure that NACDL staff communicates with the organization’s leaders and other stakeholders throughout the nation, and that they forge direct and ongoing links with them, as appropriate;

5. Implement systems to define issues that need to be addressed and facilitate timely decision-making and systems of accountability;

6. Develop policies and procedures needed to manage the organization’s current activities and its future plans;

7. Hire and fire professional staff members; develop appropriate Position Descriptions for each staff member; determine appropriate salaries for staff members and consultants;

8. Evaluate job performance of every staff member on an annual basis, or more frequently, as needed;

9. Maintain and update, as needed, NACDL’s Personnel Policy & Procedures Manual;

10. Work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration to develop, implement, and manage the annual budget;

11. Establish and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure that financial resources are appropriately utilized; and

12. Ensure that all responsibilities enumerated in NACDL’s Bylaws relating to the Executive Director are duly carried out in a timely manner, and ensure that the Bylaws are abided by and enforced throughout the entire organization and its activities.


II. Strategic Alliances

In consultation with the President, Officers, and other leaders, develop and nurture strategic partnerships and alliances with important stakeholders in the criminal justice community in the United States, and internationally, when needed.


III. Relations with Leadership and Non-NACDL Staff Specialists

1. Work with NACDL leaders, non-NACDL staff specialists, and other outside professionals to develop strategies and programs to promote NACDL and advance its mission and agenda;

2. Involve leadership in the conception and implementation of programs and policies that advance NACDL’s mission and that address the needs of the criminal justice system; and

3. Along with the President and other appropriate senior leaders, cultivate, train, and steward current and potential leaders for greater roles and responsibilities within NACDL.


IV. Travel

As needed, the Executive Director will travel to advance NACDL’s goals, agenda, and programs. This includes, but is not limited to, NACDL’s regular CLE seminars and Board meetings, other NACDL-sponsored programs, and meetings sponsored by other organizations.


National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
1660 L St., NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-8600 • Fax (202) 872-8690 • assist@nacdl.org