Advocacy Director

Justice And Accountability Center of Louisiana; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana seeks an experienced Advocacy Director to lead legislative, regulatory, policy, and advocacy efforts focused on criminal-legal reform and occupational licensing. The role involves advancing public policy, testing amendments, and coordinating with coalitions to reduce fines and transform licensing procedures.

Key responsibilities include guiding campaigns, representing clients on expungement and licensing issues, and developing community

Qualifications

• JD required and admission to the bar.
• Minimum 5 years of legal experience, with at least 1 year in public policy.
• Experience in legislative advocacy, coalition building, and policy research.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage legislative and regulatory advocacy strategy, monitor state legislation, draft amendments, provide testimony, and coordinate with coalitions.
• Develop campaigns for licensing reform, and reduction of fines and costs.
• Lead coalitions to end solitary confinement and support related task forces and coalitions.
• Collaborate with community and legal teams to integrate priorities with litigation and representation efforts.
• Conduct policy research and data gathering to inform strategies for internal and coalition use.

Skills

Legislative advocacy

Coalition building

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Communication

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission

Job description

Position Overview: The Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana (JAC) is seeking an experienced and passionate Advocacy Director to lead our legislative, regulatory, policy, and advocacy efforts. This role focuses on empowering people with criminal records and supporting coalition-based advocacy initiatives that align with JAC’s mission. The Advocacy Director will engage in work related to occupational licensing, criminal legal fees, solitary confinement, Fair Chance Hiring, and expungement reform.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Advocacy (50%)

• Lead and manage JAC’s legislative and regulatory advocacy strategy, including monitoring state legislation, drafting amendments, delivering testimony, and coordinating with coalition partners.
• Develop and lead campaigns for driver's license, occupational licensing reform and the reduction/elimination of fines, fees, and costs.
• Lead coalitions working to end solitary confinement, including providing administrative, legal, and policy support to the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force and the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition (LSSC).
• Collaborate with community and legal teams to integrate legislative priorities with ongoing litigation and representation efforts.
• Conduct research, policy analysis, and data gathering, providing insights and strategies for both internal use and coalition efforts.

Legal Representation & Community Education (30%)

• Amplify JAC’s occupational licensing advocacy by guiding community education efforts and maintaining a caseload for relevant legal issues.
• Represent clients in matters related to expungement, occupational licensing, criminal court debt, and more.
• Develop community education materials and workshops, empowering impacted individuals with the knowledge to navigate legal barriers.
• Collaborate with the legal team on expungement screening apps and create Know Your Rights guides.

Administrative & Program Management (20%)

• Coordinate all advocacy programs, set goals, and facilitate meetings to ensure program alignment with JAC’s mission.
• Work closely with JAC staff, contractors, and coalition partners to manage advocacy deliverables.
• Manage grant deliverables, program data, and reports, ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
• Oversee the hiring and supervision of advocacy staff as needed, including training and management.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) and admission to the bar.

A minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with at least 1 year of public policy experience.

Demonstrated experience in legislative advocacy, coalition building, and policy research.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with community members, coalition partners, and stakeholders.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft amendments, deliver testimony, and present complex legal and policy issues clearly.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter detailing your experience in legal and policy advocacy.
• Resume.
• Legal writing sample (10 pages, edited or redacted).

About the Company

The Justice and Accountability Center was founded in 2011 to eliminate obstacles to opportunity for people harmed by the systemic racism and economic impacts of the criminal legal system through policy advocacy, public education, and legal representation. We envision a world without barriers or limits for people with criminal records and their families, where we all can have a fair chance to thrive.

The lack of access for incarcerated populations to appropriate services in the post-conviction phase of the criminal justice system and the lack of support for a positive reentry of people previously incarcerated are contrary to notions of fairness and justice. To these ends, JAC has three goals for supporting a just community.