Legal Research Attorney (Full Time or Part Time Temp)

FAMM’s seeks a temporary research attorney to join our Office of General Counsel to support our state compassionate release program.

FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums), has been at the forefront of reshaping the US criminal justice system since 1991. Our mission is to create a more fair and effective justice system that respects our American values of individual accountability and dignity while keeping our communities safe.

Position Summary:

As part of its mission, FAMM works to improve state compassionate release outcomes. Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have mechanisms that permit early release from prison for individuals who are severely disabled, gravely ill, advanced in years, and/or near death. However, those programs are rarely used and information about them is difficult to locate. FAMM maintains in-depth memos outlining compassionate release programs in every state and the District of Columbia to ensure that those who most need the information have access to it. Our research combs publicly available sources including statutes, regulations, policies, and rules and compiles the information in thorough, easy-to-read memos on our website. Stakeholders from lawmakers to advocacy organizations to impacted people rely on FAMM’s state compassionate release memos for reliable information about state early release programs.

FAMM is seeking a lawyer to update those memos. They will report to the General Counsel.

Essential Job Duties / Key Responsibilities:

The research attorney will review and update state compassionate release memos by researching relevant statutes, regulations, policies, and other authorities that govern the state programs. Based on the research, the attorney, will draft updates to existing memos that reflect the current state of governing authority. The attorney will also supplement existing data about outcomes by making open records requests and/or locating information in publicly available reports from corrections and parole agencies.

Qualifications:

This opportunity is well suited to an attorney with experience drafting and/or analyzing regulations and legislation. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and possess excellent research skills. In addition, the candidate should be an excellent and clear writer, as our memos are designed to provide audiences from policy makers to incarcerated people all they need to know about compassionate release programs in their state. So, the preferred candidate will be one who can translate legalese into plain English.

• Education and Experience: J.D. and a minimum of two years’ experience drafting and/or analyzing regulations and legislation.
• Competencies: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Lexis legal research software and possessing strong Bluebooking and legal citation skills.

Location and Hours:

• Location: The consultant can work from our office in Washington, D.C., with three days in office (Tuesday through Thursday) but remote work is also possible. Working hours are 9:00 am – 5:00pm EST five days a week. This position can be full or part time.
• Classification and Salary: FT or PT temporary hourly position, up to 40 hours per week, with pay ranging from $70 to $75 per hour, commensurate with experience