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.
The organization focuses on working with diverse Muslim and historically marginalized communities to build community power, fight systemic oppression, and demand shared wellbeing. The work includes dismantling discriminatory systems such as state surveillance, mass incarceration, detention and deportation, and family regulation. The organization also defends movements from targeted state repression related to principled dissent, using a combination of public education, policy work, systemic-change litigation, direct legal services, and technical assistance.
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
- Develop and present Know Your Rights (KYR) guidance
- Create trainings for advocates
- Participate in ongoing advocacy coalitions
- Engage in federal and/or state/local policy advocacy as required
- Screen and follow up on intakes
- Perform in-depth, complex legal research and writing for litigation and non-litigation advocacy
- Conduct oral advocacy and communications/media/public advocacy related to litigation and non-litigation work
- Oversee interns and fellows
Requirements
- At least 7 years of practice experience as an attorney
- 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 putative national security
- Low-wage workers’ rights
- Demonstrated experience in or commitment to movement and client-centered lawyering
- Sound professional judgment
- Rigorous critical-thinking skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Exceptional time-management and organizational skills
- Ability to work and collaborate effectively in a remote environment with team members, clients, and partners
- Self-starter with accountability for all areas of work
- Ability to receive and implement feedback effectively
- Flexibility and adaptability in response to shifting priorities
- J.D. from an accredited university
- Admission in good standing to the bar of any 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 directed to 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 experience applying cultural humility and trauma-informed approaches in interactions
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience, with a preferred range for candidates having seven or more years of legal practice
- Expected salary range: $110,000 – $130,000
- Position is part of a union-represented collective bargaining unit; specific employment terms and conditions are 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 (religious or non-religious), 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, with most staff based on the East Coast. Periodic domestic travel required.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should apply online. Applications must include:
- Cover letter specifying interest in the organization and relevant skills and experience
- Resume
- List of at least three professional references who can speak to recent legal-advocacy experience
- Two legal-writing samples, each no greater than 20 pages, reflecting work done exclusively or predominantly by the applicant
Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates without all required qualifications but with a strong learning mindset and relevant transferable skills are welcome to apply.