Senior Civil Rights Attorney

JOB DESCRIPTION

PC seeks a senior attorney to join our small but mighty start-up team of attorneys, organizers, and investigators. This position is funded through May of 2027. Attorneys at PC are expected to function as true movement lawyers by: supporting movement builders in their campaigns and coalitions against police violence; litigating police misconduct Section 1983 cases in federal court; and consulting with survivors of police violence who contact us for help.

All PC staff are also expected to contribute to development and fundraising efforts, to the extent their workload allows, by cultivating partnerships with aligned institutions, developing relationships with donors, drafting promotional materials, and serving as ambassadors for PC at community events.

Ideal candidates are flexible, organized, open to feedback, hungry to learn, collaborative, and committed to challenging police power.

JOB DUTIES INCLUDE

• Litigating Section 1983/civil rights cases challenging police violence and abuse in federal court.
• Occasionally litigating public records access issues in Texas state court.
• Investigating and developing factual and legal claims; preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling trials and appeals.
• Creating advocacy strategies integrating litigation, community organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and storytelling.
• Developing and maintaining healthy, trusting relationships with clients, community partners, organizers, coalition members, and legal allies.
• Representing PC in the media, at conferences, and at other venues.
• Depending on experience, managing litigation teams that include attorneys and investigators from PC as well as outside organizations and law schools.
• Depending on experience, mentoring less experienced attorneys and legal fellows.
• Contributing to development and fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking an attorney with a minimum of two years of civil rights litigation experience and up to six years of experience .

All applicants must have:

• A JD degree and admission to practice law in a U.S. state, preferably Texas.
• Experience litigating civil rights cases.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission, purpose, and values of PC.
• Demonstrated ability to write with clarity, focus, and polish.
• Demonstrated ability to thoroughly and effectively research issues before drawing conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in creative and thoughtful problem-solving and analysis when faced with a new hurdle or unfamiliar task.
• Demonstrated ability to speak and advocate in a clear, courteous, accessible, and compelling manner.
• Lived experience with systems of oppression and/or experience working with people who are directly impacted by systems of oppression. This may include experience with the criminal legal system, as well as with the policing, child “welfare”, or immigration systems.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, appreciate and compassionately navigate issues of race, identity, power, and privilege with clients, partners and colleagues.
• Commitment to movement-led, multi-modal strategies for challenging police abuse, in which litigation is just one tool of many, along with policy advocacy, storytelling, and community engagement.
• Proficiency with the Google Suite and Microsoft suite of office programs.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time exempt position for candidates based in or willing to relocate to Houston, Texas, but remote candidates will be considered. Salary is determined based on years of legal experience and, for attorneys with 2 to 6 years of experience, will be in the range of $88,000 to $110,000.

Peoples' Counsel offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits; retirement matching; and paid sick, family, and unlimited vacation leave. This position is included within the National Lawyers Guild Staff Union (NOLSW).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and three professional references. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will give priority to those submitted by December 29, 2025. The cover letter should discuss what brings you to this work, what has equipped you to be effective in this role, and why you are specifically interested in working at Peoples’ Counsel. Materials should be addressed to jobs@peoplescounsel.org. Please include your name and “Senior Attorney Position” in the subject line.

Peoples’ Counsel is an equal opportunity employer. We greatly value a diverse team and healthy, supportive workplace. Peoples’ Counsel is committed to promoting an environment free of unfair barriers and discriminatory practices for its clients and staff.

Peoples’ Counsel is a nonprofit program hosted by the National Police Accountability Project, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Questions regarding the relationship should be directed to Lauren Bonds at legal.npap@nlg.org.

Peoples' Counsel offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits; retirement matching; and paid sick, family, and unlimited vacation leave. This position is included within the National Lawyers Guild Staff Union (NOLSW).