Director of Criminal Legal Litigation

US Advocacy & Litigation Department

Reporting to: VP of US Advocacy & Litigation

Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid (NY or Washington, DC) preferred; remote candidates may be considered

Salary Range: $120-130k

Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (KHRC) is pleased to announce a call for applications for a Director of Criminal Legal Litigation. This full-time position is designed for an experienced civil rights litigator who will lead the organization’s criminal legal reform litigation program, pursuing systemic change through federal and state court actions that challenge racial discrimination, torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings carried out through policing and prison practices.

About Us:

Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center was founded in 1968 as a living memorial to carry forward Robert Kennedy’s vision of a more just and peaceful world. Our team of lawyers and issue experts collaborate with partners around the world to create lasting legal change. Through legal advocacy, we have freed political prisoners, defended the rule of law in autocratic regimes, and amplified the voices of human rights defenders in the United States and abroad. We present the annual Kennedy Human Rights Center Award, which recognizes a courageous individual whose activism reflects Robert F. Kennedy’s belief that every individual can make a difference.

Job Responsibilities:

Director of Criminal Legal Litigation will lead the organization’s criminal legal reform litigation program, spearheading systemic cases that challenge abusive policing and prison policies and practices that cause human rights violations - including racial discrimination, torture and cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings. Specific responsibilities include:

Litigation & Partnerships:

• Develop, lead, and manage a docket of civil rights litigation focused on challenging abusive policing and prison policies and practices, including cases involving racial discrimination, excessive force, extrajudicial killings, unlawful stops and arrests, arbitrary detention, and unconstitutional conditions of confinement;
• Serve as lead or co-counsel on currently pending § 1983 litigation in federal district courts and courts of appeals, including challenges to unconstitutional policing practices, use of force, constitutional violations, and other systemic civil rights violations;
• Draft and supervise the preparation of complaints, motions, briefs, consent decrees, settlement agreements, and other litigation documents to a high standard;
• Pursue requests and litigation under the Freedom of Information Act and state sunshine laws to expose abusive policing and prison practices, obtain records of misconduct, and support investigative and litigation strategies;
• Support litigation and other interventions before the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the United Nations system, including treaty body proceedings, special procedures, and Universal Periodic Review submissions, in coordination with the organization’s advocacy staff;
• Work with grassroots partners and other human rights organizations to develop and prosecute class action and other systemic or structural reform litigation challenging patterns and practices of human rights violations by police departments, jails, and prisons;
• Develop and maintain partnerships with directly impacted communities, advocacy and grassroots organizations, peer litigation groups, private law firms, and pro bono practices to build collaborative litigation and advocacy campaigns;
• Represent the organization in coalitions, media, policy forums, and public communications related to criminal legal reform, police accountability, and civil rights;
• Availability for travel on a limited basis (domestic and, as needed, international) as required by active litigation and advocacy matters.

Research & Strategy:

• Research and advance claims under state constitutional law, state tort law, and applicable state civil rights statutes to maximize remedies and expand legal protections for people harmed by policing and custodial abuses;
• Conduct factual investigation of human rights abuses by law enforcement and in custodial settings, including through site visits, expert engagement, public records, and sunshine law requests, and discovery litigation;
• Analyze evolving case law in § 1983 litigation, qualified immunity, the Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and related doctrines, and identify opportunities to advance novel legal theories and counter regressive precedent;
• Evaluate and pursue opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration with KHRC teams on impact litigation and amicus filings in cases with broad precedential significance;
• Participate in developing long-term litigation strategies and advocacy campaigns alongside grassroots partners and directly affected individuals and communities;
• Identify and execute ways to achieve shared impact across other KHRC programs, to mobilize KHRC stakeholders in support of the work, and to increase the visibility of KHRC and our work before the general public;

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Supervise, mentor, and support senior criminal legal reform attorney, junior attorneys, law fellows, and law student interns working on civil rights matters;
• Participate in the recruitment, hiring, and training of department staff.
• Advocate for and support direct report's decision-making and innovation with program and collaboration across the organization.
• Provide feedback and guidance for team members to successfully comprehend and align individual goals with program and organization goals and strategies.
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations for team members.
• Successfully align programmatic goals across the organization with Kennedy Human Rights’ strategic priorities.
• Advocate for additional resources, staff capacity, or training needed for team success in discussion with the VP of US Advocacy & Litigation.

A successful candidate is likely to have the following skills and experiences:

• 8-10+ years of substantial litigation experience with a significant portion devoted to civil rights matters in federal and/or state courts;
• J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (or eligibility to waive in);
• A demonstrated commitment to KHRC’s mission, civil rights, racial justice, police accountability, and the rights of incarcerated and system-involved people;
• Meaningful experience with § 1983 litigation, including pleading, discovery, dispositive motions, and trial or settlement in federal district court;
• Experience with conditions-of-confinement claims, including Eighth and/or Fourteenth Amendment challenges to jail or prison conditions, use of force, medical care, mental health care, or solitary confinement;
• Experience litigating police misconduct or accountability cases, including claims arising from excessive force, extrajudicial killings, unlawful stops and searches, or discriminatory policing;
• Experience with class action litigation and/or other systemic or institutional reform litigation, including class certification, injunctive relief, and compliance monitoring;
• Familiarity with state constitutional law and state tort theories applicable to civil rights and personal injury claims arising from government misconduct;
• Exceptional legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with a demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively;
• Strong attention to detail and rigorous quality control over filings and work product;
• Exceptional time management and the ability to manage multiple active matters and a team simultaneously;
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information;
• Innovative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential;
• Strong sense of teamwork that builds positive relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders;
• Commitment to inclusivity and to working respectfully with colleagues and clients with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Preferred but not required qualifications:

• Experience with federal court appellate practice, including briefing and argument in the U.S. Courts of Appeals;
• Experience with international human rights mechanisms, including Inter-American Commission on Human Rights petitions, UN treaty body submissions, or Universal Periodic Review processes;
• Experience litigating under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Rehabilitation Act in the policing or custodial context;
• Familiarity with consent decree compliance, monitoring, and enforcement;
• Experience with administrative complaints before the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division or similar oversight bodies;
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system or police misconduct are strongly encouraged to apply.

No phone calls please. Kennedy Human Rights Center will contact qualified candidates directly.

Kennedy Human Rights Center is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you're in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@rfkhumanrights.org with the subj. line "Accommodation Request". Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud
• Having interviews in a more accessible location/format

Benefits and other Perks:

• Flexibility and independence to help manage your work and home life: Staff have the ability to work from home or telecommute 3-4 days a week.
• KHRC values your health: We cover 100% of individual-only costs of our platinum medical, dental, vision benefits, and subsidizes the cost for dependent coverage.
• KHRC understands the importance of financial planning and saving:
  • An automatic contribution of 7% of your salary after your first year of employment.
  • A College Saveup/Loan PayDown program with an automatic $200/monthly contribution for any current loans or future loans.
  • An automatic monthly cell phone & internet speed stipend of $125/monthly to offset any phone & internet expenses.
  • Employees receive a $1,000 benefits card each calendar year to use at your discretion towards food and home & life purchases.
• KHRC values your growth: We provide an annual $1,000 professional development stipend to all full-time staff to use towards any courses, conferences, or training that would further one's professional learning and development. As well as professional development days/hours to complete these courses.
• KHRC loves to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings.

Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is a plus.