Associate Counsel, Criminal Justice and Economic Justice

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Job location
1401 New York Avenue NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Street address: 
1401 New York Avenue NW, Suite 400
City: 
Washington
State: 
District of Columbia
ZIP: 
20005
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (“Lawyers’ Committee”), one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations, is seeking a talented attorney with a demonstrated commitment to racial justice, in their first five years of practice to serve as an Associate Counsel. The Associate Counsel will work with the Criminal Justice and Economic Justice Projects, and will report to the Projects’ respective directors. This is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C.

The Criminal Justice Project seeks to prevent the criminalization of poverty, end mass incarceration, and secure criminal justice reform through impact litigation, public education, programming, and policy advocacy. The Associate Counsel will have the opportunity to work, in conjunction with the private bar, to investigate and bring challenges against indigent incarceration, constitutionally inadequate indigent defense systems, unduly harsh and discriminatory sentencing schemes, and inhumane prison conditions. A specific focus of this position will be to work on the Project’s efforts to systematically eliminate the practice of indigent incarceration in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The Economic Justice Project (EJP) seeks to address persisting inequality and high poverty rates faced by African American and other minority communities. EJP brings challenges to systemic discrimination in employment and works to minimize barriers faced by individuals with criminal histories seeking to reintegrate into their communities. The Associate Counsel will address collateral consequences in employment by working to implement its Records Assistance Program, which is the result of a class action settlement with the Census Bureau in Gonzalez v. Pritzker. The Program will provide class members with pro bono legal assistance to seal, expunge or correct their criminal records.

Applicants must possess excellent legal writing and legal research skills. Ideal candidates must be organized, responsive and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, as well as have the ability to work well with clients and effectively engage with a wide range of non-profit and public interest organizations, both legal and non-legal, as well as law firm attorneys. Extensive travel will be required.

Preferred qualifications:
• 2-5 years of legal experience
• Experience working within the criminal justice system as a prosecutor, public defender or within an advocacy organization focused on criminal justice reform
• Understanding of expungement/record sealing laws, and knowledge of the different types of relief available to individuals with criminal backgrounds seeking reentry
• Experience conducting legal training programs to groups of various sizes
• Experience providing support to pro bono attorneys
• Experience with case management systems

No calls will be accepted. We will accept applications until July 19, 2017. Salary and benefits are competitive for a nonprofit legal organization.

Accessibility Assistance: Although calls will not be accepted regarding questions about the position, if you are an individual with a disability and need assistance completing the online application, please call 202-662-8600 and ask for an applicant accommodation or send an email with the subject line “Applicant Accommodation” to [email protected].

Requirements: 

Required qualifications include:
• Graduation from an accredited law school
• Active membership in a state bar
• Strong organizing and coalition building skills
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and presentation skills

To apply: 

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and desired salary range to https://podio.com/webforms/18871739/1270262.

Notes: 
Equal OppThe Lawyers’ Committee is an equal opportunity employer with a standing policy of nondiscrimination. Diversity is an essential component of the Lawyers’ Committee, and we encourage women and minorities to apply. All qualified persons are accorded an equal opportunity for selection without regard to actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected under law. opportunity Employer.
Submission deadline: 
Wednesday, July 19, 2017