Staff Attorney CJMLC

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Staff Attorney role at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's Community Justice and Movement Lawyering Clinic advances civil rights through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and movement lawyering. You will work with clients, organize coalitions, and supervise student attorneys while shaping strategic litigation and pathways for systemic change.

Based in downtown Chicago with flexible arrangements, you will lead complex cases, collaborate with the Clinic Director, and cultivate partnerships

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in the bar of the highest court of any state or DC, and active membership in the Northern District of Illinois or ability to obtain within three months.
• Three to five years of litigation experience and/or a federal clerkship.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership through complex civil rights litigation and policy advocacy.
• Lead or co-lead on civil rights and constitutional matters.
• Supervise student attorneys and coordinate docket development with the Clinic Director.
• Develop litigation strategy, case planning, and advocacy approaches.
• Represent clients before courts, agencies, and other forums.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Policy analysis

Project management

Leadership

Client communication

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Department: Law Legal Clinic

Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,900 - $115,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Job Summary:

The Community Justice and Movement Lawyering Clinic ("Clinic"), within the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, partners with social and racial justice movements to challenge over‑policing, mass incarceration, and systemic injustice through impact litigation, policy advocacy, community partnership, and movement lawyering. Students work directly with community organizers, coalitions, and clients committed to building more just and equitable systems while gaining experience in client‑centered representation, constitutional litigation, policy advocacy, and strategies for systemic change.

Position Overview

The Clinic seeks an experienced, collaborative, and mission‑driven Staff Attorney to partner with the Clinic Director in advancing the Clinic's litigation, movement‑lawyering, policy advocacy, and educational mission. The Staff Attorney manages a diverse docket of complex civil rights litigation and policy matters while helping supervise student attorneys and contributing to the strategic growth of the Clinic.

Role and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney provides strategic legal leadership through direct client representation; exercises substantial independent judgment in managing a complex docket of litigation, policy, and advocacy matters; serves as a primary and secondary representative of the Clinic's clients before courts, government agencies, coalition partners, community organizations, and other external stakeholders; supervises and mentors student attorneys engaged in direct client representation; collaborates closely with the Clinic Director on docket development, case selection, and strategic priorities; and helps advance the Clinic's educational mission and long‑term programmatic growth within the broader Bluhm Legal Clinic.

Position Details

The position has year‑round litigation and case management responsibilities, with no teaching obligations during the summer, although the position may help supervise and coordinate summer interns. The position is based at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in downtown Chicago, with flexible working arrangements consistent with the academic calendar. This position reports to and/or will be supervised by a Clinical Professor/Attorney.

Specific Responsibilities

Litigation, Movement Lawyering & Policy Advocacy

• Provide strategic legal leadership through complex litigation, movement‑lawyering, and policy advocacy that advances the Clinic's mission.
• Serve as lead or co‑lead counsel on civil rights litigation, constitutional litigation, policy advocacy, and movement‑lawyering matters.
• Exercise independent professional judgment in developing litigation strategy, legal theories, case planning, and advocacy approaches.
• Manage a diverse docket of litigation and policy matters from intake through resolution.
• Conduct client intake, interviews, factual investigations, witness preparation, and case development.
• Conduct sophisticated legal and policy research.
• Draft and file pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, discovery, and appellate filings.
• Represent clients in state and federal court proceedings, administrative hearings, and other advocacy forums.
• Develop and manage policy initiatives aligned with the Clinic's mission, including research, work plans, and engagement with policymakers.
• Maintain primary responsibility for client communications, deadlines, litigation strategy, case outcomes, and file management.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify litigation opportunities that advance systemic reform.

Community Partnership, Coalition Building & Public Engagement

• Strengthen relationships that expand the Clinic's impact and support community‑driven advocacy.
• Serve as a primary representative of the Clinic with community organizations, movement partners, advocacy coalitions, legal service providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships that advance the Clinic's litigation and policy priorities.
• Identify and develop new litigation, advocacy, and policy opportunities aligned with the Clinic's mission.
• Organize and conduct know‑your‑rights trainings, presentations, workshops, and community education events.
• Participate in coalition meetings and collaborative advocacy efforts.
• Represent the Clinic through conferences, public speaking engagements, media opportunities, and professional organizations, as appropriate.

Student Supervision, Mentorship & Clinical Instruction

• Support the educational mission of the Clinic through supervision and mentorship of student attorneys.
• Supervise and mentor law students engaged in direct client representation.
• Lead case planning, legal strategy discussions, and professional identity development for student attorneys.
• Review legal writing, litigation strategy, advocacy materials, and client communications.
• Coordinate student workflow, assignments, and deadlines across active matters.
• Collaborate with the Clinic Director on docket priorities, case selection, and supervision models.
• Contribute to the instructional mission of the Clinic seminar and broader Bluhm Legal Clinic programming.

Strategic Leadership, Program Development & Organizational Effectiveness

• Advance the Clinic's long‑term strategic priorities and operational excellence.
• Partner with the Clinic Director in identifying strategic opportunities for litigation, policy advocacy, and program growth.
• Contribute to docket planning, strategic initiatives, fundraising efforts, and long‑term program development.
• Support grant reporting, institutional compliance, and funder documentation.
• Develop systems and processes that strengthen case management, student supervision, and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to communications, website content, annual reports, and other visibility efforts.
• Represent the Clinic in institutional initiatives and collaborative projects across the Bluhm Legal Clinic.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing in the bar of the highest court of any state of the United States or of the District of Columbia, and active membership in the Northern District of Illinois or the ability to obtain membership in the Northern District of Illinois within three months.
• Three to five years of litigation experience and/or a federal clerkship.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, andabilities.)

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice, community‑centered advocacy, and movement lawyering.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Experience conducting policy research. Strong strategic thinking, sound professional judgment, and exceptional organizational skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance detailed execution and long‑term strategic planning.
• Creativity, initiative, and leadership potential to shape innovative litigation and advocacy strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage respectfully and empathetically with clients, students, colleagues, community partners, and coalition members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Illinois bar membership in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex litigation, policy advocacy, and strategic legal initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiation and oral advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience working collaboratively with community organizations, advocacy coalitions, and interdisciplinary partners.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in supervising, teaching, or mentoring law students or early‑career attorneys.
• Strong academic credentials or other evidence of exceptional professional achievement.
• Significant experience litigating civil rights or constitutional cases in federal or state court.
• Experience representing community organizations, movement organizations, or individuals directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Experience with police accountability, prison conditions, public safety reform, or related civil rights matters.
• Experience developing policy initiatives or legislative advocacy campaigns.
• Experience teaching, supervising, or mentoring law students.
• Experience building and sustaining community partnerships and advocacy coalitions.
• Experience designing and delivering community training or public education programs.
• Experience pursuing impact litigation or systemic reform strategies.
• Experience identifying and cultivating strategic litigation opportunities through community partnerships, referrals, media developments, or policy initiatives.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Comfort and fluency with digital platforms, including social media, web content, and multimedia formats.
• Significant federal civil rights trial experience.
• Experience working in diverse, multi‑faced Chicago‑based coalitions.
• Fluency in Spanish is a strong plus.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parentalleave;tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work‑Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non‑discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.