Senior Staff or Staff Attorney, Economic Justice Team

Overview

A legal advocacy organization focused on economic justice is seeking a Senior Staff or Staff Attorney dedicated to racial and economic justice. The Economic Justice team aims to eradicate poverty by expanding access to opportunity and eliminating racial economic inequality, particularly in the Deep South.

The team’s work includes:

• Land Justice: Protecting and reclaiming land in Black and Brown communities to build generational wealth and support community-driven economic development.
• Housing Justice: Advancing the human right to housing, ending the criminalization of homelessness, and dismantling racially discriminatory housing policies.
• Protecting the Social Safety Net: Ensuring equitable access to government programs.
• Ending the Exploitation and Criminalization of Poverty: Stopping exploitative and punitive policies that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of economic justice legal advocacy strategies, especially in the Deep South.
• Develop new cases in consultation with staff and community partners.
• For Senior Staff Attorneys: train and mentor legal staff as needed.
• Develop and maintain collaborations and partnerships with community organizations.
• Investigate, gather information, and interview clients and witnesses.
• Collaborate with other legal teams and departments to advance impact goals and campaigns.
• Write legal memos and briefs.
• Represent the organization in various forums, including community groups, legislators, and state agencies.
• Respond to requests for legal assistance.
• Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the role.
• Uphold principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion by seeking diverse collaborators and partners aligned with the organization’s mission and values.

Requirements

• For Staff Attorney I-II: Minimum of 1 year of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post law school.
• For Senior Staff Attorney I-IV: Minimum of 6 years of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post law school.
• Membership in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar, preferably Mississippi.
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Demonstrated experience litigating individual and class action civil rights cases in federal and state courts at trial and appellate levels.
• Experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South.
• Commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering.
• Strong analytical, research, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
• Creativity in crafting and executing litigation strategies.
• Exceptional persuasive communication skills in writing and speaking.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is an exempt position with a minimum starting salary of $78,832 annually, based on legal experience post law school.
• Salary ranges by experience level:
  • Staff Attorney I (1-3 years): $78,832
  • Staff Attorney II (4-5 years): $89,905
  • Senior Staff Attorney I (6-7 years): $102,637
  • Senior Staff Attorney II (8-9 years): $117,286
  • Senior Staff Attorney III (10-11 years): $134,129
  • Senior Staff Attorney IV (12+ years): $153,500

Location & Work Arrangement

• Options include:
  • Local Remote: Work remotely with expectations to attend work-related activities at offices or in operational states.
  • Telework: Work at an office at least three days per week, with up to two days remote.
• This position reports to the Senior Supervising Attorney of the Economic Justice Team.

Additional Information

• The role is performed under general office conditions without strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.
• This position is represented by a labor union.
• The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, considering applicants without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression or identity, marital status, national origin, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Note: This description outlines the general nature and level of work expected and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required.