Criminal Justice Reform Legal + Policy Director

Due Process Institute, a 501(c)(4) headquartered in Washington, DC, is looking for a criminal justice reform Legal + Policy Director to build and execute legislative and legal campaign strategies—particularly with Democratic and Progressive Congressional offices and allies as well as a Biden-Harris Administration—in order to achieve outcomes that increase justice and fairness, protect due process, and improve lives. Specific current topical areas of reform include (but are not limited to): prosecutorial accountability; plea bargaining; right to counsel; federal sentencing; due process trial rights (including grand jury and criminal discovery reform); surveillance; traditional and digital search and seizures issues; overincarceration; overcriminalization; forensic integrity; policing; and other criminal justice topics. We seek to effectuate immediate and meaningful change via our amicus curiae practice, public education, programming, and direct policy advocacy.

We are looking for a highly professional, goal-oriented leader who is capable of playing a significant role in our organization and delivering measurable results to make criminal legal reform a reality.

Responsibilities

• Work within a politically diverse team to build bipartisan goals and strategies;
• Shape policy development and otherwise operate as a key decision-maker regarding federal policy and legal engagement;
• Take leading role in federal advocacy work (legislative and administrative) through lobbying and other direct engagement, with a particular emphasis on Democratic and Progressive members of Congress as well as organizational allies that are considered politically left-leaning;
• Partner with a wide and diverse group of existing allies whenever appropriate to secure desired policy and legal outcomes;
• Develop relationships with new allies and organizations to further advocacy goals;
• Analyze criminal law legislation;
• Represent the organization’s policy positions and principles at coalition meetings, in meetings with lawmakers and other stakeholders, and in public forums;
• Contribute to drafting criminal reform legislation;
• Contribute to authoring long-form reports, short advocacy pieces, and blogs on a wide variety of criminal law and policy topics;
• Assist with grant development and management;
• Develop and help execute legal and policy related programs and events;
• Participate meaningfully in shaping and executing the organization’s social media and communications campaigns; and
• Assist in supervision of projects executed by Policy Counsel, Policy Associates, Externs, and Independent Contractors.

Additional responsibilities of a qualified candidate could also (but doesn't need to) include:

• Assist in determining amicus involvement in criminal law cases
• Draft amicus briefs and/or supervise drafting of pro bono lawyer volunteers

Qualifications

• Proven commitment to the mission of increasing economic and racial justice and a demonstrated long-term interest in criminal law and criminal legal reform;
• Minimum of 6 years of issue advocacy and/or criminal law experience at the federal level (our preferred candidates for this position will likely have significantly more than 6 years experience);
• Significant federal criminal law and criminal justice reform knowledge and expertise;
• Experience with legislative and administrative analysis and/or advocacy;
• Proven ability to design strategies and tactics and execute plans to achieve concrete goals;
• Demonstrated ability to write well with minimal editorial assistance;
• Ability to create, develop, and execute projects independently—initiative and follow-through are must-have qualifications for this position;
• Demonstrated ability to speak in public settings and other advanced communications skills;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Pro-active problem-solving skills and ability to compromise when necessary for the greater good;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that can occasionally have odd hours;
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple tasks, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to build, lead, and work within diverse coalitions;
• Evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and problem solve with creative resourcefulness; and
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity that values all persons and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, socio-economic circumstance, and political viewpoints.

Previous federal public defender experience is a plus. Previous hill experience is a plus.

About Due Process Institute

Due Process Institute looks past ideological divides to find common ground to restore principles of fairness in the criminal justice system. Candidates should be prepared to work in a diverse and bipartisan workplace where co-workers and close allies hold a very wide view of personal and political viewpoints.  For more information about our organization, please visit www.iDueProcess.org and follow us on Twitter: @iDueProcess.

Due Process Institute is an equal opportunity employer who values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We make every effort to assure that our recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

The position is located in Washington, DC. Post-pandemic, the position will require some in-office hours as well as attendance of meetings and events in the DC metro area, including in the evenings. Applicants from outside of the DC area are welcome to apply but relocation to the DC metro area is required no later than September 1, 2021.

Post-pandemic, some travel (including overnight) will be required but does not represent a significant part of the position’s duties. Due Process Institute is prepared to offer competitive nonprofit compensation and benefits.

Questions unanswered by this listing may be sent to Tamara Kalacevic via email at tamara@idueprocess.org.