Legal Services Project Staff Attorney

Job Description – Transgender Law Center

Job Title: Legal Services Project Staff Attorney

Status: Full-time, exempt

Location: This position can be remote or work out of TLC’s offices in Oakland or Brooklyn

Reports to: Legal Director or Legal Director’s designee

Salary: $80,000-$90,000 depending on experience

About Transgender Law Center

Transgender Law Center is the largest national, trans-led organization working to set all people free. We champion the right of all transgender and gender-nonconforming people to make their own choices and live freely, safely, and authentically. Prioritizing BIPOC, disabled, and HIV+ communities, we advance community-driven strategies that harness trans knowledge, power, and joy to ensure that we all not only survive but thrive at all ages and phases of life.

(www.transgenderlawcenter.org)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Legal Services Project Staff Attorney will act as both attorney and project manager in coordinating and growing TLCs Legal Services Project focused on issues connected to the criminalization of trans people. TLC’s Legal Services Project works to break down barriers to legal access for trans and gender-nonconforming people by operating a Legal Information Helpdesk and Prison Mail Response Program, developing know-your-rights resources, and providing technical assistance and training to attorneys, government officials, and service providers. The Helpdesk responds to about 1,200 inquiries and TLC’s Prison Mail Program provides basic legal information and resources to about 900 TGNC people inside prisons and jails across the country each year.

The Legal Services Project Staff Attorney will be responsible for coordinating the various aspects of the Legal Services Project while envisioning and implementing innovative ways to provide resources and legal support to trans people facing criminalization. We are seeking someone who is equal parts attorney and project developer who has a vision and passion for getting legal services to trans people and working toward to end criminalization.

As currently structured and when fully staffed, TLC’s Legal Services Project also includes a Helpdesk Coordinator, a Prison Mail Coordinator, and a Legal Assistant who also supports the broader legal team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the Legal Information Helpdesk and Prison Mail Response Program, including reviewing and responding to incoming inquiries, recruiting and training volunteers, maintaining an internal database of legal information and resources, and identifying and implementing improvements to each program’s operations.
• Envision and implement innovative ways to improve the delivery of legal information and assistance to TGNC community members experiencing criminalization, such as but not limited to:
  • Maintaining and grow TLC’s database of cooperating attorneys willing to assist TGNC people with a wide range of legal issues across the country
  • Working with public defenders throughout the US to help support competency on criminal cases
  • Collaborating with TLC’s program/organizing staff, and grassroots TGNC groups to coordinate legal education strategies and organize legal clinics in communities across the country
  • Creating and leading “train-the-trainer” programs to support community organizations and law firms interested in hosting legal clinics or otherwise providing direct pro bono legal assistance to TGNC community members
  • Develop legal clinics that support people with criminal convictions in key jurisdictions
• Maintain and update internal legal information database tracking most relevant laws and policies for all 50 states across a wide variety of issue areas (e.g., identity document updates, public accommodation nondiscrimination protections, criminal defense, and other issues)
• Recruit, train, and supervise pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers working on the Legal Services Project
• Engage in limited-scope direct advocacy for TGNC people
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Project management experience / experience with program development
• Familiarity with legal issues impacting transgender communities and communities of color including name/gender changes, healthcare access, criminal defense, police misconduct, and other legal issues that impact low-income people
• Experience with criminal defense and/or post-conviction relief
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and disability justice, and challenging anti-blackness
• Ability to explain legal and other complex issues in clear ways for all audiences
• Strong writing, editing, and research skills
• Collaborative approach to work both within an organization and with other groups
• Experience working with people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual, gender, and generational backgrounds
• Experience with Salesforce or similar Customer Relationship Management software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Admission to the bar of at least one state
• At least 2 years post-JD experience or significant pre-law school nonprofit or movement experience
• Experience running legal clinics
• Experience with criminal defense and/or post-conviction relief
• Experience supervising, pro bono attorneys, interns, and/or volunteers
• Proficiency in an additional language other than English

BENEFITS

• Medical/dental/vision (TLC covers100% of premiums for employees, 75% for dependents)
• Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (currently $2,000 per year)
• Optional employee-funded Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Fund that can grant financial assistance for certain qualifying disasters and personal hardships
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 3 weeks of sick leave
• 19 days vacation (24 after 3 years’ employment) and 12 holidays
• Flexible Friday schedule with organization-wide ‘no internal meetings’ practice
• Organizational ‘slowdown’ in winter and summer
• Two-weeks paid time off in the summer and 2 weeks paid time off at the end of the year (separate from employee vacation time)
• 2-month paid sabbatical program available after 5 years’ employment
• Retirement plan with partial organizational matching
• Indemnity insurance for critical illness, hospital confinement, and accidents
• Professional development & coaching
• Office setup, phone and internet reimbursement (if working from home)
• Additional mental health, budgeting, travel, and pet benefits

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Transgender Law Center is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including Black, indigenous, and other people of color; women and femmes; people with disabilities; and people who are transgender, intersex, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer are particularly urged to apply. For more information about Transgender Law Center please visit our website: www.transgenderlawcenter.org.