Youth Justice Attorney

Children's Law Center; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Law Center is seeking a strategic attorney to lead statewide youth justice policy efforts in Ohio while growing local work in Columbus and/or Cleveland. The role emphasizes policy and advocacy, with a smaller direct-services practice grounded in youth experiences.

The position is remote with preference for Ohio-based candidates, including opportunities for in-person Statehouse and stakeholder meetings in Columbus. Travel within Ohio may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead youth justice policy advocacy focused on preventing youth transfer to adult court.
• Conduct policy and legal research, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition-building and public education.
• Supervise program activities and align local work with statewide priorities.

Job description

YOUTH JUSTICE POLICY COUNSEL at CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER

Children's Law Center, Inc. (CLC) is a nonprofit legal service center that protects the rights of children and youth - so they can grow up in safe, healthy ways. We achieve our mission through direct legal assistance, policy reform, community education, and information & referral.

Established in 1989, CLC offers vital advocacy in the child welfare system, justice system, education system, and beyond. CLC provides services in Kentucky and Ohio, while collaborating with regional and national organizations on youth law and policy. We invite you to join our passionate, caring, and knowledgeable team.

Overview

Children’s Law Center is seeking a strategic, experienced attorney to help lead statewide youth justice policy efforts in Ohio while growing our local work in Greater Columbus and/or Greater Cleveland. CLC currently has projects in both communities, and this role will support them- helping to prioritize projects, deepen certain existing projects, and expand into new ones.

This is a unique opportunity for a values-aligned attorney- particularly one with experience in juvenile-justice courtrooms- who wants to lead systems-change work while continuing to occasionally represent young people. Policy and advocacy are the heart of the role, alongside a smaller, growing direct-services practice that keeps our policy work grounded in the experiences of youth and families.

Location & Travel:

The position is remote, but we seek candidates based in (or able to relocate to) Ohio- particularly Greater Columbus or Greater Cleveland, with a preference for Columbus. Some in-person work is required, including Statehouse and stakeholder meetings in Columbus, client and community work in the attorney's home region, and occasional travel to and around Columbus/Cleveland and other parts of Ohio. Must have access to a reliable vehicle, high-speed internet, and a mobile phone. A Columbus-based attorney would support CLC's growing focus on Columbus.

Team & Supervision:

CLC's headquarters is in Covington, KY, from which team members work in Cincinnati, OH, and Northern Kentucky, and travel throughout both states. This position is supervised by the CLC Executive Director and Deputy Director, who are both based in Covington/Cincinnati. CLC also has team members in Lexington and a team member based in Columbus (an Equal Justice Works Fellow, 2026 law graduate, leading a 2-year project). This position would supervise the Fellow's Columbus-based work. CLC does not currently have other staff in Cleveland.

Key Responsibilities

Lead youth justice policy advocacy efforts focused on preventing youth transfer to adult court, improving detention conditions, promoting community-based alternatives, and ending deep-end punishments. This includes efforts to:
Advance CLC's work to reduce bindover (transfer of youth to adult court) through legal
and policy research, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition-building, and public

education—including helping advance