Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services Seeks Executive Director

Position Closes October 12, 2026

Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) seeks an experienced and visionary Executive Director who possesses a demonstrated passion for expanding access to justice and advocating for low-income and other vulnerable Tennessee populations. TALS is a statewide non-profit organization committed to:

Empowering its constituencies, especially those in need;
Providing visionary and effective leadership;
Serving the public interest by improving access to civil legal assistance;
Advocating for justice for those in need; and
Advancing collaboration and building consensus among providers of legal services for the common good.

TALS was created in 1977 with a two-fold mission: To support and coordinate the activities of civil legal service providers in Tennessee and to spearhead statewide efforts to further access to justice for low-income Tennesseans. The successful candidate will work closely with TALS’ dedicated board and staff to continue the organization’s mission, strengthening the delivery of civil legal help to vulnerable Tennesseans. TALS seeks an Executive Director with a vision and commitment to developing and expanding innovative programs and tools, addressing future funding challenges and advancing the program’s role as a center for innovation, training and expertise in our state.

Key Priorities:

Ensure that high-quality legal advice and information continue to be accessible statewide through TALS’ civil legal helpline, 1 844 HELP4TN, and Tennessee Free Legal Answers and that statewide legal help resources are available through TALS’ web portal www.HELP4TN.org;
Continue high-quality programing for the legal aid provider community through TALS’ task forces and executing Equal Justice University;
Demonstrate a commitment and outlook for innovative solutions to future challenges;
Network at the state, regional and national levels to create and strengthen relationships with collaborative partners and funders;
Guide strategic planning with the board and staff which builds on program strengths with a vision for the future;
Strengthen TALS’ fiscal stability by seeking traditional and non-traditional funding sources to increase capacity towards TALS’ core mission;
Creatively utilize technology to improve service to low-income Tennesseans and to allow staff to work more effectively and efficiently;
Work collaboratively with the board of directors to ensure that the mission of TALS is implemented; and
Recruit, supervise, develop, support, and evaluate TALS staff and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate degree required. Admission to the Tennessee bar or the willingness to seek admission through comity or sit for the next Tennessee bar exam required
State, regional and national relationship building skills and experience
Successful track record in resource development, fundraising and grant writing
Progressive management experience involving staff supervision, financial oversight and budget development
Federal, State and local government contracting experience preferred
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Skill set and demonstrated commitment to advancing cultural competency
Collaborative leadership style, professionalism, integrity, energy, compassion and sense of humor
Legal aid or public interest leadership experience preferred
Demonstrated commitment to and passion for advancing civil access to justice

Physical presence in the Nashville office preferred. Candidates not living in the Middle Tennessee area will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Salary Range: $110,000-$135,000 depending on experience

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply by visiting https://wkf.ms/4r4HBTT. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.

About TALS

Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) is a statewide non-profit organization that builds partnerships to support the delivery of effective civil legal services for low-income and elderly Tennesseans. TALS manages a web portal providing legal information-www.HELP4TN.org, and staffs 844-HELP4TN, a toll-free civil legal services referral and information phone line. Learn more at www.tals.org.

Last updated on September 18, 2026.