Overview:
The Economic Justice Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center seeks to ensure that people living in poverty in the Deep South, especially minority communities, are not punished or exploited because of their economic status. Our work is focused in three main areas: (1) ending debtors’ prisons and reforming court debt abuses; (2) protecting consumers by ending predatory lending and abusive debt collection practices; and (3) protecting access to safety nets for the poor, including Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). Over the past few years, our Project has worked to end debtors’ prisons in Montgomery, Alabama, Alexander City, Alabama, and Bogalusa, Louisiana; restore access to TennCare (Tennessee’s Medicaid Program) for thousands who were facing life-threatening medical conditions and whose applications were ignored during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act; document the abusive predatory lending industry in Alabama in an on-going push for state and federal regulatory reform; drive the largest private “probation” company out of Alabama; and end discriminatory wealth-based bail practices in over 50 municipalities in Alabama.
Our Project is growing and looking to expand our critical work. We are looking to augment our dynamic and talented team with passionate individuals who care about our issues and believe in and identify with our clients, as we look to continue our work in Alabama and expand our impact to Louisiana and Mississippi, and later other Southern states.
We seek attorneys with at least three years of relevant experience to assist with all aspects of litigation, including legal research, factual investigation, drafting of memoranda complaints, discovery materials, briefs, pleadings and other litigation documents. The successful candidate will have strong litigation skills, an aptitude for how to leverage litigation successes to achieve lasting policy reform, and an orientation to non-litigation alternatives to achieve the desired results.
There are open positions in both our Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana offices. If you would accept the position if offered in only one of these offices, please specify this in your cover letter.
Responsibilities:
- Litigate cases under supervision of Deputy Legal Director and/or Senior Staff Attorneys.
- Develop new cases in consultation with Deputy Legal Director and/or Senior Staff Attorneys.
- Supervise and help develop other staff, including less experienced attorneys and outreach paralegals.
- Represent SPLC in various forums, including before community groups, legislators, and state agencies.
- Write legal memos and briefs.
- Investigate, gather information and interview clients and witnesses.
- Respond to requests for legal assistance.
- Comfort and ability to work with diverse groups and across lines of difference.
- Substantial travel will be required.
Qualifications:
- A Juris Doctorate degree is required.
- A strong academic background is required.
- At least three years of relevant litigation experience is required.
- Federal judicial clerkships are preferred.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.
- Strong research skills are required.
Knowledge, Skills, Mindset and Abilities:
- A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public interest law is expected.
- One must have continual attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- An interest in and orientation to federal civil procedure is preferred.
- An interest in and orientation to some state criminal procedure is preferred.
- Working independently, but being engaged with and supportive of our team, is expected.
Benefits and Compensation:
SPLC offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within the parameters of SPLC compensation bands.
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, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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.
How to Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), the name and contact information of three references, and professional writing sample.
Disclaimer:
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.
Qualifications:
- A Juris Doctorate degree is required.
- A strong academic background is required.
- At least three years of relevant litigation experience is required.
- Federal judicial clerkships are preferred.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.
- Strong research skills are required.
Knowledge, Skills, Mindset and Abilities:
- A demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public interest law is expected.
- One must have continual attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- An interest in and orientation to federal civil procedure is preferred.
- An interest in and orientation to some state criminal procedure is preferred.
- Working independently, but being engaged with and supportive of our team, is expected
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), the name and contact information of three references, and professional writing sample.