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Staff Attorney Opportunity with the Lawyers’ Committee

Education, Employment, Housing, Police Accountability, Racial Justice, Voting Rights

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

Under the supervision of the Executive Director and the Litigation Director, the Staff Attorney will actively develop litigation work. LCCR’s Staff Attorney also supports strategic policy advocacy, community outreach, and communication efforts to ensure organization visibility across diverse communities and social justice movements.

SUMMARY OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (% of time spent)

Case Development (75%)

Develop and maintain own significant caseload of civil rights litigation in federal and state court. Ensure development of a consistent pipeline of new litigation that will be co-counseled with LCCR’s Member Firms. Ensure the measurable quarterly growth of the litigation docket.

Policy Advocacy, Community Outreach, and Organizational Visibility (15%)

Participate in community outreach, policy advocacy, legislative advocacy, and community meetings that are strategically aligned with the development of impact litigation and policy reform in targeted areas. Leverage policy advocacy and community outreach to ensure that LCCR remains highly visible across diverse communities and social justice movements.

Leadership and Supervision (10%)

Serve as a resource for attorneys at Member Firms on LCCR’s cases. Provide leadership and strategic direction for LCCR’s fellows, interns, and administrative staff.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Case Development (75%)

Develop and maintain own significant litigation caseload in state and federal court.

Actively engage in litigation, through the following activities:

  • Devise legal theory and strategy;
  • Evaluate and investigate potential claims;
  • Identify plaintiffs;
  • Handle intakes;
  • Conduct all aspects of legal research;
  • Draft pleadings, motions, briefs and complaints;
  • Conduct depositions and discovery;
  • Engage in trial and appellate work;
  • Negotiate and monitor settlement agreements;
  • Pursue attorney fee awards; and
  • Coordinate amicus briefing.

Participate in supervision meetings with Litigation Director and other senior staff to assess work

Track work and “billable” hours for monthly/quarterly reports.

Ensure that all internal and external work is aligned with LCCR’s policies, procedures, and protocols.

Policy Advocacy, Community Outreach, and Organizational Visibility (15%):

Represent LCCR in meetings with stakeholder and constituent groups, public conferences, and in other outreach efforts that are strategically and concretely aligned with the development of complex litigation and policy advocacy.

Participate in traditional media appearances (TV and radio); social media activities; and other communication efforts, including drafting community education materials, press releases, and newsletters.

Support fundraising efforts.

Leadership and Supervision (10%):

Serve as a resource for attorneys at Member Firms on LCCR’s cases.

Provide leadership and supervision for fellows, interns, and administrative staff.

Actively develop expertise in substantive areas of civil rights law and legal practice.

Participate in the development of long-term strategic goals and objectives for LCCR.

PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS

1. SUCCESSFULLY FILING AND LITIGATING CASES:

The Staff Attorney will be evaluated based on the ability to develop and maintain own significant litigation caseload in state and federal court. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will be evaluated on the capacity to produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

2. SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGING IN POLICY ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO ADVANCE LCCR’S MISSION AND ENHANCE LCCR’S VISIBILITY:

The Staff Attorney will be evaluated based on the ability to successfully engage in policy advocacy and community outreach efforts that are strategically and concretely aligned with complex litigation and policy reform. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will be evaluated on the capacity to expand strategic relationships that achieve LCCR’s mission.

3. SUCCESSFULLY EXERCISING LEADERSHIP DUTIES:

The Staff Attorney will be evaluated on the ability to support and strengthen litigation protocols, office policies, office management, social media, communications, and fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor.
  • At least three (3) years of post-JD experience and be an active member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing.
  • Excellent writing and analytical skills.
  • Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
  • The ability to work productively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
  • A demonstrated commitment to civil rights.

Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2016. Applicants must submit a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience and salary requirements); a resume; description of state and federal cases litigated, including your role in them; and a writing sample/brief (not to exceed 10 pages). Please submit your application via email to employment@lawyerscom.org with all the relevant materials.