Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM) is a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services to persons living with low income/low opportunity in twenty-one eastern Missouri counties. LSEM is seeking a Staff Attorney for a new project focusing on combatting the systemic issues that create racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline and fuel the “school-to-prison pipeline”. This special project, which is funded through a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, will focus on promoting racial justice in school discipline and combating the systemic issues that underlie the “school-to-prison pipeline” using a race equity focus to protect children’s civil rights, primarily through impact litigation and through the use of other systemic advocacy tools such as filing complaints with the Office of Civil Rights and bringing public awareness to the “school-to-prison pipeline”. Responsibilities include: legal case management, legal research and writing, drafting of administrative and court documents, representation in administrative hearings, litigation in state and federal court, and drafting of policy papers on “school-to-prison pipeline” issues. Additionally, the Staff Attorney has responsibility for community outreach activities, development of community education/training programs, and participation in collaborative efforts with agency partners. The Staff Attorney will work closely with other LSEM attorneys to jointly identify and address significant systemic issues to combat the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
The position is funded by a three-year grant which began in December 2016, and continuation of the position past that period is dependent on future funding.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy, 403(b) and profit sharing plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, flexible spending account, and paid MCLE’s and bar dues.
REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of civil rights litigation experience in Missouri and federal courts; racial justice advocacy experience; excellent writing ability, research and oral advocacy; ability to collaborate well and computer proficiency. Must be licensed in Missouri.
APPLICATON PROCESS
Please send a cover letter, resume and a list of three references to John Early, Human Resources Director, at [email protected].
Submission Deadline: January 22, 2017
Equal access to LSEM’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact the Human Resources Director at the e-mail address listed above. LSEM is an equal opportunity employer.