Staff or Senior Attorney

Position: Staff or Senior Attorney

Department: Legal

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: Remote - Within the United States

Reports to: Litigation Director

Salary Range: $83,000- $103,000 - based on relevant experience

Who We Are ─ About Jobs to Move America:

Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

Who we are ─ About the Team:

JMA is working to build powerful coalitions to fight for community benefits agreements at green and high-tech manufacturers–companies that stand to benefit from billions of dollars of public investment. We want manufacturers to make real, legally-backed commitments to communities and workers for a voice on the job, equitable hiring and training, and other needs identified by communities. We have built up a team of organizers and researchers to help us win these agreements. The Staff/Senior Attorney job offers a unique opportunity to incorporate creative lawyering into a multi-faceted, dynamic approach to achieving JMA’s vision of public goods for the most public good.

About the Role

The Staff/Senior Attorney supports JMA’s litigation and legal work, develops new litigation and legal theories, conducts factual investigations, provides legal guidance and direction for other programs, and supports JMA’s campaigns to create good jobs in the manufacturing sector. The Staff/Senior Attorney will focus on labor and employment, fair competition, open records, and procurement laws to build worker power and drive overall reform. The Staff/Senior Attorney also grows JMA’s capacity by supporting Program teams to help them build their knowledge of how litigation can be a tool to propel JMA’s vision forward.

What You’ll Do ─ Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and support cutting-edge impact litigation, including through conducting legal research; drafting pleadings, memoranda, correspondence, and discovery; engaging in motion practice and oral arguments; and participating in settlement negotiations.
• Develop and file complaints with state and federal administrative agencies that raise systematic violations of labor and employment laws.
• Facilitate the creative use of public records laws to ensure government transparency around public funding flowing to corporations and ensure those efforts are tracked and tailored to support litigation if necessary.
• Collaborate with organizers, researchers, workers, and policy staff in JMA’s regional hubs to investigate legal violations, develop creative solutions, and secure relief for workers and communities.
• Build relationships with multiple outside attorneys, union counsel, and firms to support JMA’s litigation work. This will include developing relationships with outside legal and academic experts to testify in and/or write supporting briefs for JMA litigation.
• Support organizational legal needs by analyzing relevant legal issues and preparing memorandums, training, or other materials.
• Occasionally travel for litigation, meetings, conferences, and other advocacy or professional development activities.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. and at least one active bar membership. Membership to the state bar in one of JMA’s states is preferred (AZ/NY/NJ/IL/CA/AL).
• A minimum of 2 years of post-J.D. litigation experience, including drafting pleadings and motions and participating in discovery. Court clerkships count for this purpose.
• Strong legal research and writing skills; ability to translate the law for lay audiences.
• Strong understanding of relevant laws (labor and employment, open records, procurement, fair competition, and corporate law and policy) and an understanding of how the law works in policy and organizing campaigns.
• Adept communicator: Can integrate legal issues into communications in an understandable manner and tailor messages effectively. Clear and concise, both internal and external written and verbal communication.
• Strong relationship building; ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including JMA employees as well as external partners.
• Good situational awareness: aware of the visible and less-visible dynamics at play among different groups and in different situations; navigates those dynamics strategically and tactfully. Maintains awareness of new developments and potential opportunities to work with different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Self-starter: Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems and overcome obstacles to get the work done.
• Flexibility: Ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities; adapts quickly as things change.
• Good at multitasking: Able to juggle multiple competing priorities at once, work under pressure, and meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint applications), Adobe, and Google Suite.

Preferred Skills:

• Bi-lingual English-Spanish a plus

Other Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to communicate clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation & Benefits – Centered in Equity, Well-being, and Growth

At Jobs to Move America (JMA), we believe in fair compensation, holistic well-being, and professional growth. We are committed to ensuring that every team member is valued, supported, and set up for success.

• Salary Range: $83,000 - $103,000, depending on location and experience. The job title (Staff Attorney or Senior Attorney) will be determined based on years of experience.
• Depending on geographic area, a one-time cost of living adjustment (COLA) may be added to the salary.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents.
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home.
• Work from home office set up provided, if needed.
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices.
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is a member of the bargaining unit.

How to Apply:

Complete the form at the following link https://jmaportal.bamboohr.com/careers/70?source=aWQ9Nw%3D%3D and upload a cover letter & resume, writing sample, and three work references.

Only applications submitted via the above link will be considered. No phone calls, please. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications may not receive a reply.

JMA Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an EEO employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment. Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee's voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.

To assist us in achieving our goals as a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask for optional

self-identification questions in the job application.