Senior Staff Attorney

Protestlaw; California (MO); Remote; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Protest Law and Litigation is seeking a skilled civil rights attorney to handle litigation and defend constitutional rights focused on free speech and assembly. Join a collaborative team dedicated to advancing social justice and combating legal repression, with responsibilities that include impactful litigation and community outreach.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

Three weeks paid vacation

401(k) plan

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience with §1983 litigation and/or substantial criminal defense.
• Ability to draft high quality legal briefs and conduct discovery.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate on litigation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Engage in significant impact litigation including discovery and court appearances.
• Provide defense to activists and prepare FOIA requests.
• Develop litigation strategies and engage in public speaking.

Skills

Litigation skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Creativity in strategic planning

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Admission to the D.C. Bar or ability to waive

Job description

The Center for Protest Law and Litigation, a project of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, seeks a skilled, enthusiastic and motivated civil rights attorney to join in litigation of existing cases and development of new litigation, theories and initiatives to defend and advance constitutional rights and social and environmental justice in the United States. This work will involve the range of PCJF’s civil rights matters, with a special focus on the work of the Center for Protest Law and Litigation regarding legal matters at the intersection of First and Fourth Amendment rights in the context of free speech, assembly and protest. The attorney will work on both civil litigation and on criminal defense of demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities, as well as transparency and FOIA matters.

This position within a cutting edge and nimble litigation organization offers an opportunity for an attorney to assume significant independent responsibility within a collaborative team that has substantial expertise in constitutional rights litigation and in defense of First Amendment activity.

About the Organization

As leaders in bringing high impact civil rights and constitutional rights litigation for over 25 years, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund has brought groundbreaking cases, changed laws and policies, and won millions in damages for persons whose rights have been violated. Our litigation work is integrated with outreach, education and advocacy with affected groups, communities, activists and organizations in racial, social and environmental justice movements. Our work is focused ultimately on creating meaningful social, political and legal changes and dismantling systems of repression.

The Center for Protest Law & Litigation works to protect and advance the rights of protestors to organize, assemble and demand justice around the country. We defend free speech rights through affirmative civil litigation, including against the mechanisms of police violence, as well as criminal defense of protestors swept up in political arrests.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively engage in significant impact litigation including discovery, depositions, motions practice, drafting briefs, correspondence, conducting thorough legal research, and court appearances.

• Provide direct defense to activists and support other attorneys defending demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities.

• Prepare FOIA and public records requests and litigate the requests as necessary.

• Develop, evaluate, and investigate potential claims, new projects and litigation strategies to forward our efforts to defend and advance civil rights and social justice nationally, and work as part of a collaborative team.

• Draft publications and other legal resources including reports, fact sheets, and know your rights materials for public education and outreach and for audiences of varied backgrounds.

• Work closely and cooperatively with allied political activists, grassroots organizations and partner coalitions.

• Engage in public speaking at conferences and community events on CPLL/PCJF advocacy and litigation and outreach to the media and public generally.

• Participate in development and fundraising efforts as requested.

• Provide leadership and supervision of fellows, interns and staff as assigned.

• Assist in other related duties as assigned.

Required Professional Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience with §1983 litigation and/or substantial criminal defense.

• Demonstrated litigation skills and experience including the ability to conduct discovery and take effective depositions.

• Ability to draft high quality legal briefs and must reliably complete research that is comprehensive, accurate and does not require secondary review.

• Creative thinker in strategic and tactical planning to advance constitutional rights issues. Ability to develop and implement litigation strategies and to work collaboratively within the organization.

• Admission to the D.C. bar or ability to waive in.

• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and dedication to civil rights and social and environmental justice issues.

• Self-motivated with ability to create an agenda for the work. A high level of independence and initiative, ability to take responsibility to advance and complete projects and manage a caseload, and ability to respond to direction.

• Excellent judgment, meticulous attention to detail, superior organizational, speaking, and writing abilities.

• A strong work ethic is essential as well as the capacity to work well under pressure, to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and to meet deadline requirements and rapid response needs, including working occasional weekends and evenings if necessary.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to travel occasionally.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Application review and interviews will be on a rolling basis with priority consideration being given to submissions received by April 14, 2023. Later applications may be accepted if position is still open.

START DATE: ASAP

LOCATION

Full-time position located in the Washington, D.C. office, or geographically remote within the U.S.

Vaccine Policy:Please note that the PCJF has made the safety of our clients, staff and our surrounding community a priority and requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. You will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis, to the extent required by law.

SALARY

The salary is expected to be in the range of $100,000 - $120,000 and will depend on the applicant’s experience and qualifications. Benefits include fully paid, outstanding health and dental insurance, three weeks paid vacation, personal and sick leave, all 11 paid federal holidays and a 401(k) plan.

SUBMISSIONS

Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and the organization, your resume, and a writing sample of original work (5 pages maximum, excerpts are acceptable) to [e-mail] putting “Job Application: Senior Staff Attorney, [your full name]” in the subject line of the email. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

NOTE: We are only accepting applications electronically submitted. Please do not make any inquiries about the position or the status of your application as we cannot respond individually to each application. We will contact those applicants that are of interest directly.

The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, formerly incarcerated person status, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected status.