Criminal Justice Program Attorney

Salary: $45,000 to 55,000

Job Summary:

Provide individual and systemic advocacy on disability related issues on behalf of adults and juveniles with disabilities or mental illness involved with the criminal justice system, in both institutional and community-based settings within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and county jails, including incarcerated survivors of crime. Represent individuals with both litigation and non-litigation strategies including individual case advocacy within the correctional system, impact litigation and systemic advocacy related to conditions of confinement, civil rights and discrimination, abuse and neglect, and access to an adequate array and quality of disability related services and supports. This position does NOT include representation of individuals in underlying criminal proceedings.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide direct individual case advocacy for persons in or at risk of being placed in correctional institutions, in accordance with Disability Rights Advocacy Priorities. This advocacy assistance may include:

· Investigation of complaints and deaths.

· Meeting with individual and/or family to gather information and develop appropriate strategies.

· Providing legal assistance and self-advocacy guidance by telephone, mail or in person.

· Referring some individuals who do not meet eligibility or case selection criteria to more appropriate sources.

· Assist individuals in preparing and filing administrative grievances and complaints.

· Direct legal representation of individuals whose issues meet DRW case acceptance priorities in informal, administrative and judicial forums, including litigation.

· Working with criminalized survivors of crime with disabilities in obtaining trauma-informed services.

· Accurately complete and maintain client files and electronic records in accord with DRW policies and procedures.

2. In coordination with other DRW staff, participate in systems advocacy approaches (such as legislative advocacy, policy analysis and monitoring of facilities or programs) to address selected issues from DRW’s Annual plan.

3. Represent DRW on task forces, coalitions and committees that address issues relevant to people with disabilities or mental illness in the criminal justice system.

4. Participate as part of a team in major litigation.

5. Provide attorney back up and consultation to attorneys, advocates and intake staff.

6. Maintain effective working relationships with criminal justice involved individuals with disabilities or mental illness, advocacy groups and governmental entities to effectively advocate on disability issues in the criminal justice system.

7. Participate in outreach and training, including efforts focused on targets groups for these issues.

8. Serve as co-counsel or amicus curiae in cases involving significant policy matters in which direct representation is not appropriate.

9. As assigned, provide supervision to interns or law students at DRW working on criminal justice issues.

Requirements
Qualifications:
Minimum:

· Law degree and member of (or eligible for admission to) Wisconsin Bar within 6 months after being hired.

· Three to four years’ experience in the practice of law.

· Demonstrated commitment to social justice and/or disability rights.

· Demonstrated competency and ability to work with diverse populations.

· Experience handling individual cases.

· Good oral and written communication skills and experience working independently as part of a team
Occasional Statewide travel required.

Preferred:
· Familiarity with the criminal justice system.

· Experience/direct contact with people with disabilities and mental illness.

· Experience/direct contact with survivors of crime.

· Experience providing legal backup to non-attorneys.

· Litigation and/or administrative hearing experience.

· Experience in non-litigative approaches to systems change (e.g., legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and policy analysis).

Physical/Mental Requirements:
· Uses computer approximately 6-8 hours per day

· Sits approximately 6-8 hours per day

· Occasionally lifts 5-10 pounds

· Requires working under a moderate degree of stress (time constraints, deadlines, multi-tasking, callers in crisis, complex issues, conflict resolution, etc.)