Senior Staff Attorney _ Power & Democracy

Who We Are:

Situated at the forefront of the national stage in the racial justice movement, Advancement Project National Office is a cutting edge, a no-holds-barred national nonprofit whose team members are dedicated to creating free and safe communities for people of color. From ending the school-to-prison pipeline to the fight to expand the right to vote, from calling for a complete overhaul of how we view the police and carceral state, to fighting for immigrant justice, Advancement Project National Office team members impact real change from the ground up. This moment demands alignment, sharp strategic thinking, and creativity to imagine a more just world in which racism no longer exists, and all people of color can be free and safe – and we are excited to bring on new talent to change our world.

Position Overview:

The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading, supporting and implementing strategic initiatives to advance objectives and goals of the Power and Democracy Program including litigating issues and publicly advocating for the organization’s position on issues. The ideal candidate will also support the legal, policy and advocacy needs of our grassroots partners in local communities.

The position will report to the Program Director of Power & Democracy. This position will be part of the collective bargaining with compensation determined by the collective bargaining agreement.

What You’ll Do:

• Work in support of the overall strategic success of the Power and Democracy Team
• Recommend revisions to team procedures and practices to incorporate best practices and address changes in the legal landscape and cultural environment.
• Serve as lead attorney on federal and state civil and appellate litigation in selected strategic areas, including developing legal strategy and leading the litigation team to execute it.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with external partners and allies.
• Lead and implement the strategic initiatives and goals for the Power and Democracy Program
• Conduct complex legal research and prepare legal documents, for example pre-litigation, motions and briefs.
• Participate and/or speak at advocacy events and other outreach activities.
• Represent the organization at coalition tables.
• Develop and provide input on legal and legislative materials, as well as presentation and advocacy materials.
• Participate in strategic planning processes for assigned program and projects, including identifying and recommending how to respond to political and legislative opportunities and legal developments.
• Provide legal and policy development support to internal and grassroots partners.
• Collaborate amongst colleagues in various program areas to develop strategies for advancing the organization’s positions.
• Provide guidance to team members and interns on work product, as assigned.
• Assist program managers with investigations.
• Assist with legal and policy work cross-program, as needed.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Required Skill:

• Demonstrate excellent legal research, analysis strategic thinking and writing skills.

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written advocacy skills, including ability to present a legal and policy arguments to judges, lawmakers, juries and ability to condense and convey such information to grassroots partners and diverse community members.

• Maintain advanced working knowledge of relevant current and proposed federal and local laws, regulations and other legal directives related to assigned program area, and rules governing civil and appellate litigation.

• Maintain advanced working knowledge of effective policy development, community lawyering and advocacy practices, as well as internal policies and procedures.

• Ability to maintain mentoring relationships with other attorneys on staff.

• Effectively communicate information and ideas to executives, board members and other high profile groups and individuals, as well as compose precise, effective, and grammatically correct reports, procedures, legal documents and business correspondence appropriate for the intended audience.

• Read, analyze, and interpret complex legal and policy documents, including laws, regulations, statutes, contracts and court opinions.

• Recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in the context of a variety of situations with multiple variables, both predictable and unpredictable.

What You Need to be Considered:

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited college or university is required
• Civil Rights and Litigation experience is required
• 6 years of relevant experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks.
• Voting Rights experience is preferred.
• License to practice law in Washington D.C. or possess the ability to waive into the Washington D.C. bar.
• Ability to frequently travel nationally and occasionally travel locally.
• Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends, and travel as needed.

With a minimum of 6 years of legal experience, this position pays a minimum of $96,553.08

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