Overview
A national legal-advocacy, social-justice, and educational organization is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney to join its growing legal team. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Legal Director. The staff works remotely within the United States, with most team members based on the East Coast. Periodic domestic travel is required for staff gatherings, court appearances, case development, fundraising events, and other professional reasons.
Responsibilities
- Conduct litigation work including identifying and evaluating potential legal claims, client advisals and communications, drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs
- Strategize and conduct written and oral discovery
- Guide and explore settlement negotiations
- Provide technical expertise and assistance to partners
- Develop and maintain relationships with grassroots and organizational partners
- Create and present Know Your Rights (KYR) guidance
- Develop trainings for advocates
- Participate in ongoing advocacy coalitions
- Engage in federal and/or state/local policy advocacy as needed
- Screen and follow up on intakes
- Perform in-depth, complex legal research and writing for litigation and non-litigation advocacy
- Conduct oral advocacy and public communications related to litigation and advocacy work
- Oversee interns and fellows
Requirements
- Minimum of 7 years of legal practice experience
- Subject-matter expertise and legal-advocacy experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Immigration detention and deportation system
- Students’ rights under the First Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Criminal legal system
- Prisoners’ rights and carceral abolition
- Legal frameworks concerning national security
- Low-wage workers’ rights
- Demonstrated experience or commitment to movement and client-centered lawyering
- Sound professional judgment and rigorous critical-thinking skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Exceptional time-management and organizational skills
- Ability to work effectively in a remote environment as part of a team, with clients, and with partners
- Self-starter with accountability for all areas of work
- Ability to receive and implement feedback effectively
- Flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited university
- Admission in good standing to the bar of any U.S. state and/or the District of Columbia
- Fluency in oral and written English
- Willingness and ability to travel as required
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience litigating in federal and state courts, including complex civil litigation
- Experience with federal and state/local policy advocacy
- Experience preparing administrative complaints for civil-rights bodies within federal and state/local agencies
- Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL), International Sign Language (ISL), and/or one or more non-English languages (preferably Arabic, Urdu, Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tajik, and/or Uzbek)
- Demonstrated application of cultural humility and trauma-informed approaches in interactions
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience, with an expected range of $110,000 to $130,000
- Position is part of a union-represented collective bargaining unit; terms and conditions subject to collective bargaining
- Generous and comprehensive benefits package offered
Equal Opportunity
The organization is an equal-opportunity employer. Candidates who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, people with disabilities, individuals with diverse traditions and beliefs, people of any gender identity or expression, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with lived experience of economic struggle are strongly encouraged to apply.
Location
Remote within the United States; most team members are based on the East Coast. Periodic domestic travel required.