Staff Attorney

Full-time position located in the Washington, D.C., or Oakland, CA, office or potentially geographically remote within the U.S. Both the Washington, D.C. and Oakland offices currently operate on a hybrid work schedule. 

The Center for Protest Law & Litigation, a project of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, seeks a highly skilled, enthusiastic, and motivated civil rights attorney to join in the litigation of existing cases and the development of new litigation, theories, and initiatives to defend and advance constitutional rights and social and environmental justice in the United States. This work will involve the range of PCJF’s civil rights matters, including police misconduct, with a special focus on the work of the Center for Protest Law & Litigation regarding legal matters at the intersection of First and Fourth Amendment rights in the context of free speech, assembly, and protest. The attorney will work on both civil litigation and criminal defense of demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities, as well as transparency and FOIA matters.

This position within a cutting edge and nimble litigation organization offers an opportunity to join a collaborative team with substantial expertise in constitutional rights litigation and the defense of First Amendment activity.

About the Organization   

As leaders in bringing high impact civil rights and constitutional rights litigation for 30 years, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) has brought groundbreaking cases, changed laws and policies, and won millions in damages for persons whose rights have been violated. Our litigation work is integrated with outreach, education, and advocacy in partnership with affected groups, communities, activists, and organizations in racial, social, and environmental justice movements. Our work is focused ultimately on creating meaningful social, political, and legal changes and dismantling systems of repression.

The Center for Protest Law & Litigation, a project of the PCJF, protects and advances the rights of protestors to organize, assemble, and demand justice around the country. We defend free speech rights through affirmative civil litigation, including against the mechanisms of police violence, as well as criminal defense of protestors. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively engage in significant impact litigation including discovery, depositions, motions practice, drafting briefs, correspondence, conducting thorough legal research, and court appearances.  
• Provide direct defense to activists and support other attorneys defending demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities.  
• Prepare FOIA and public records requests and litigate the requests as necessary.  
• Develop, evaluate, and investigate potential claims, new projects and litigation strategies to forward our efforts to defend and advance civil rights and social justice nationally, and work as part of a collaborative team.  
• Draft publications and other legal resources including reports, fact sheets, and know your rights materials for public education and outreach and for audiences of varied backgrounds.  
• Work closely and cooperatively with allied political activists, grassroots organizations and partner coalitions.  
• Engage in public speaking at conferences and community events on CPLL/PCJF advocacy and litigation and outreach to the media and public generally.  
• Participate in development and fundraising efforts as requested.   
• Provide leadership and supervision of fellows, interns and staff as assigned.  ‘
• Assist in other related duties as assigned.  

Required Professional Experience and Qualifications:

• 4-6+ years’ litigation experience with a preference for §1983 litigation experience.
• Demonstrated litigation skills and experience including the ability to conduct discovery and take effective depositions. 
• Demonstrated ability to draft high quality legal briefs, including dispositive motions, and must reliably complete research that is comprehensive, accurate and does not require secondary review.
• Creative thinker in strategic and tactical planning to advance constitutional rights issues. Ability to develop and implement litigation strategies and to work collaboratively within the organization. 
• Admission to the D.C. bar or ability to waive in. 
• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization. Dedication to civil rights and social and environmental justice issues.
• Self-motivated with ability to create an agenda for the work. Ability to take responsibility to advance and complete projects and manage a caseload, ability to respond to direction, and ability to work efficiently and manage time.
• Excellent judgment, meticulous attention to detail, superior organizational, speaking, and writing abilities.
• A strong work ethic and fighting spirit is essential as well as the capacity to work well under pressure, to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, and to meet deadline requirements and rapid response needs, including working occasional weekends and evenings when necessary. 
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel occasionally. 

Preferred: Experience working with frontline communities and/or grassroots social justice movements 

SALARY: The salary is expected to be in the range of $80,000 – $95,000 and will depend on the applicant’s experience and qualifications. Benefits include 100% employer paid, outstanding health and dental insurance; three weeks paid vacation; additional personal and sick leave; all 11 paid federal holidays; and a 401(k) plan with employer contribution.  

START DATE:  ASAP

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Application review and interviews will be on a rolling basis with priority consideration being given to early submissions. 

SUBMISSIONS: Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and the organization, your resume, and a writing sample of original litigation work, preferably dispositive motions briefing (5 pages maximum, excerpts are acceptable) to recruitment@justiceonline.org putting “Job Application: Staff Attorney, [your full name]” in the subject line of the email. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

NOTE: We are only accepting applications electronically submitted. Please do not make any inquiries about the position or the status of your application as we cannot respond individually to each application. We will contact those applicants who are of interest directly.

VACCINE POLICY: Please note that the PCJF has made the safety of our clients, staff, and surrounding community a priority and requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. You will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to commencing employment. Requests for exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis, to the extent required by law.

The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, formerly incarcerated person status, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

Benefits include 100% employer paid, outstanding health and dental insurance; three weeks paid vacation; additional personal and sick leave; all 11 paid federal holidays; and a 401(k) plan with employer contribution.