Overview:
The Senior Staff Attorney will develop and litigate individual and class action cases raising constitutional and statutory claims in federal courts, at trial and appellate levels. S/he will engage in litigation and public advocacy related to civil rights issues, particularly relating to immigrants in the Deep South. S/he may also supervise staff attorneys and/or other legal staff. The attorney hired for this position will work out of the SPLC office in Atlanta, Georgia.
This position is specifically envisioned to focus on advancing integration of immigrants as full members of their communities in ten Southern states. The attorney hired for this position will help to develop and run a pro bono project to provide representation to immigrants detained in the Southeastern United States. In addition, the job may include, but will not be limited to: advocating for immigration policy proposals that protect the civil rights of immigrants, particularly poor immigrants; improving access to quality education for immigrant children; challenging governmental discrimination against immigrants including over-reaching executive orders, criminalization, and denial of equal protection or due process; curbing governmental overreach, including by litigating Administrative Procedure Act cases; running campaigns and cases seeking wage justice for vulnerable workers, including low-wage immigrant workers; and protecting immigrants and their families from aggressive enforcement, including responding to immigration raids, defending against removal, and bringing civil rights challenges to raids. The focus of the position may change as warranted by changes in the law, the circumstances in our service area, and/or the needs of the organization.
Responsibilities:
• Represent immigrants in removal defense proceedings and related legal work including motion practice in immigration court, affirmative applications, detained and non-detained representation, and appeals to agency and Article III courts;
• With partner organizations, train, supervise, and mentor pro-bono attorneys to provide high quality representation;
• Develop new cases and campaigns, lead litigation and public advocacy under supervision of the Deputy Legal Director or Senior Supervising Attorney;
• Analyze legal developments and provide technical assistance to allies, communities, and partner organizations;
• Supervise outreach activities related to cases and campaigns;
• Communicate regularly with SPLC staff across the southern region about cases, campaigns, and strategies;
• Develop relationships with civil society rooted within immigrant communities;
• Represent SPLC in various fora, including before community groups, legislatures, and state agencies, and the press; and
• Other duties as may be assigned to meet SPLC needs.
Qualifications:
Education and Related Work Experience:
• Juris Doctor Degree;
• At least 5 years of federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience, with a preference for experience with removal defense and complex civil rights litigation;
• • Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Prior experience working with survivors of trauma is a plus;
• Membership in the Georgia bar or willingness to sit for the next Bar Exam if the attorney cannot waive in.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Creativity and a demonstrated willingness to take calculated risks in crafting and executing strategies;
• Initiative, vision, and a proven commitment to the struggle for social justice;
• Leadership skills and experience, including leading large-scale litigation;
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and have fun in a high-energy, fast-paced work environment;
• Excellent and consistent attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Aptitude for and willingness to be a team player;
• Bilingual in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the Southeastern United States (e.g., Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, or Arabic).
To Apply:
Please submit a 10 page writing sample, cover letter, references, and unofficial transcript.
Other Special Considerations:
This job is performed under general office conditions, and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation and national origin. We reasonably accommodate staff members and/or applicants with disabilities, provided they are otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job.
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Qualifications:
Education and Related Work Experience:
• Juris Doctor Degree;
• At least 5 years of federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience, with a preference for experience with removal defense and complex civil rights litigation;
• • Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Prior experience working with survivors of trauma is a plus;
• Membership in the Georgia bar or willingness to sit for the next Bar Exam if the attorney cannot waive in.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Creativity and a demonstrated willingness to take calculated risks in crafting and executing strategies;
• Initiative, vision, and a proven commitment to the struggle for social justice;
• Leadership skills and experience, including leading large-scale litigation;
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and have fun in a high-energy, fast-paced work environment;
• Excellent and consistent attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Aptitude for and willingness to be a team player;
• Bilingual in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the Southeastern United States (e.g., Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, or Arabic).
To Apply:
Please submit a 10 page writing sample, cover letter, references, and unofficial transcript.