Research Associate

About FAMM

FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums) is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and effective criminal justice policies. For over three decades, FAMM has worked to reform sentencing laws, expand second chances, promote compassionate release, and advance independent prison oversight at both the state and federal levels. Our team combines legal expertise, policy analysis, and advocacy to create a justice system that prioritizes proportionality, safety, and human dignity.

Position Summary

FAMM seeks a detail-oriented Research Associate to join its Office of General Counsel. This attorney will play a key role in expanding and maintaining FAMM’s national database of laws – state and federal – governing compassionate release and clemency. This research will be used to develop memos as well as advance legislative advocacy.

The ideal candidate will bring strong statutory interpretation skills, fluency in legal research tools, the ability to distill complex legal frameworks into clear and accurate written analysis, as well as basic familiarity with statistical data concepts. This position is well-suited for a lawyer who enjoys deep, methodical research and writing, and who takes pride in the precision, clarity, and reliability of their legal work.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive statutory and regulatory research across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as under federal law, related to compassionate release, medical parole, and clemency.
• Draft, organize, and regularly update 50-state legal memoranda summarizing and comparing key constitutional and statutory provisions governing clemency and compassionate release.
• Prepare FOIA requests to collect information from state agencies.
• Maintain and update internal databases tracking statutory citations, effective dates, and recent amendments.
• Review primary legal authorities—including state constitutions, statutes, regulations, and case law—to ensure accuracy and currency.
• Prepare detailed, well-cited memoranda and briefing materials for use by FAMM’s legal and policy teams.
• Collaborate with the Office of General Counsel team and policy staff to ensure research outputs meet organizational needs for legal precision, accessibility, and practical relevance.
• Other responsibilities may be assigned based on the candidate’s interest/the organization’s needs.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 2–3 years of legal experience, preferably involving statutory analysis, legal writing, or public policy research.
• Demonstrated proficiency in statutory interpretation, including the ability to identify key operative provisions and summarize legal changes/updates to statutes.
• Strong command of legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis, or similar databases).
• Exceptional legal writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce concise, accurate, and well-structured memoranda.
• Impeccable attention to detail and commitment to maintaining up-to-date and verifiable research.
• Familiarity with criminal law, sentencing law, corrections, or clemency processes preferred.
• Capacity to manage multiple ongoing research projects, meet tight deadlines, and work independently while maintaining a high standard of accuracy.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; and generous paid leave.