Advancement Project seeks a creative problem solver, strong advocate, and skilled attorney in its Washington D.C. office to serve as a Staff Attorney to work in the Justice Project. The Justice Project provides support to grassroots racial justice campaigns seeking not simply to reform, but to wholly dismantle systems that criminalize and incarcerate people of color. We aim to help impacted communities define the terms and control the means by which peace is realized in their streets and neighborhoods, and to re-imagine public safety for themselves.
Advancement Project is a next generation, national multiracial civil rights organization based in Washington, DC. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive, and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies in conjunction with strong community alliances to strengthen social and racial justice movements and achieve high impact policy change. We combine law, communications, policy, and technology to create workable solutions and achieve systemic change. We change the national discourse on race to provide opportunities for breakthroughs on racism. We aim to inspire and strengthen movements that expand opportunity for all.
The staff attorney focuses on developing relationships with racial justice organizations to support their campaigns and build power in their community. That work may include identifying and recommending how to respond to legislative and legal developments, providing legal research, litigation, analysis and writing. The staff attorney will provide support to grassroots partners and collaborate with and across teams to do so.
Description of Role
The work will entail the investigation of racial justice issues related to the wholesale transformation of the criminal legal system, including through data, anecdotal, and other factual collection and analysis in the communities where our partners work. The attorney will work closely with our partners to support their campaigns and build their base in coordination with our communications and organizing departments. This role also assists with investigations, litigation efforts, including discovery and motion writing when appropriate. The attorney may also assists with legislative efforts, including analyzing and drafting language for bills. The attorney prepares legal memoranda and drafts other associated policy-related and legal documents. The attorney is also part of a team or teams of attorneys that researches and analyzes policies, laws and regulations on assigned issues in support of grassroots partners and Advancement Project’s overall mission.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Collaborate with colleagues, internally and externally, in various program areas to develop and implement strategies;
Cultivate external relationships with national and regional organizations and allies;
Provide guidance to team members and interns on work product;
Assist with legal and policy work cross-program, as needed;
Use a variety of legal, policy, communications, organizing and coalition-building strategies to assist our community partners.
TOTAL REWARDS
Salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package included.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
State bar membership (must be willing to become a member of or able to waive into DC Bar);
Three to eight years of legal experience with a strong preference for class action and civil rights litigation;
Demonstrated commitment to racial justice;
Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
Experience working with grassroots organizations or demonstrated commitment to movement lawyering model;
Frequent travel required;
Experience in Section 1983 litigation or related civil rights experience is strongly preferred;
Willingness to work in multiple program areas, as needed;
Fluency in Spanish, organizing experience, litigation experience, and coalition-building experiences are pluses;
Advancement Project seeks a goal-oriented, creative, energetic, and committed professional to occupy this role in our progressive, multi-racial non-profit environment. This position is based in Advancement Project’s National Office in Washington D.C. and operates under the direct supervision of the Program Directors.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter with salary expectations, their resume, two writing samples, and a list of three references to [email protected]. Reference “Staff Attorney Justice Project” in the subject line.