Staff Attorney – Justice Project

Who we are:

Situated at the forefront of the national stage in the racial justice movement, Advancement Project National Office is a cutting edge, 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:

We are seeking a creative problem solver, strong advocate, and skilled attorney in its Washington D.C. office to serve as a Staff Attorney in the Justice Project.  The Justice Project provides support to grassroots racial justice campaigns seeking to wholly dismantle systems that criminalize, incarcerate and exploit people of color.  We help impacted communities wield their power to define the terms and control the means by which peace is realized in their lives and people have what they need to thrive.

This position will report to the Deputy Program Director for the Justice Project and will be a member of the union with compensation determined by the union compensation structure.

What you’ll do:

The staff attorney focuses on developing relationships with racial justice organizations to support their campaigns and build power in their communities.  This work may include identifying and recommending how to respond to current events, legislative and legal developments, providing legal research, litigation support, strategic analysis, and writing for a broad range of audiences.  The staff attorney will provide support to grassroots partners and collaborate among teams to do so.

The staff attorney will draw from an arsenal of skill sets and tools along multiple facets to advance the goals of the partners we serve in the movement for Black freedom, power and justice. They will investigate racial and economic issues related to e.g., criminalization, policing, privacy, surveillance, technology, prosecutors, punishment, jails/prisons, private vendors, consumer debt in the communities where our partners fight for change.  They will work closely in coordination with our communications and organizing colleagues to help build our partners’ bases and tell their stories.  This role also assists with litigation efforts, including discovery, motion writing, coordinating with co-counsel, and working with our plaintiffs and organizing partners.  The attorney will draft legal, policy and advocacy memoranda, and may also assist with legislative efforts, including analyzing and drafting language for bills.

This role is part of a team of attorneys that lawyer in support of grassroots partners and Advancement Project’s overall mission to build power under the direction of the Justice Project Director.

Additional Functions

• Collaborate with colleagues, internally and externally, in various subject areas to develop and implement effective strategies.
• Cultivate external relationships with national and regional organizations and allies.
• Provide guidance to team members and interns on work product.
• Assist with legal, policy and advocacy cross-programmatic work, as needed.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and strategic planning sessions, including political education programming.
• Write about areas of the Justice Project’s work interest to you and participate in efforts to broaden the Project’s reach and visibility.
• Use a variety of legal, policy, communications, organizing, and coalition-building strategies to assist our community partners.

What you need to be considered:

• State bar membership (must be willing to become a member of or able to waive into DC Bar).
• Two years of legal experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and Black liberation
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with grassroots organizations or demonstrated commitment to Advancement Project’s movement lawyering model.
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with grassroots organizations and to center directly impacted people.
• Frequent travel required (outside of the pandemic).
• Experience in civil rights, criminal law, international human rights, poverty law, critical theory, consumer protection, environmental law, and/or immigration is preferred.
• Experience in Section 1983 litigation or related federal experience is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to work in multiple program areas, as needed.
• Fluency in Spanish, French and Arabic, organizing experience, and coalition-building experiences are pluses.

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