Project Attorney

Summary

The Project Attorney will be responsible for gathering and sharing information about the state of play with police departments, prisons, and jails in which DOJ had been involved through litigation or investigation, in order to help shape MJC’s strategy for responding to the current void created by the reduction of DOJ enforcement. The position will include a range of outreach, research, and docket tracking to inform strategy.

Because this is a nascent and evolving issue, the project will be defined partly “on the go,” in consultation between the attorney, their supervisor, and other MJC attorneys. The role will likely include functions such as distilling relevant information for MJC and other civil rights groups, helping to organize pro bono counsel for amicus briefs in relevant cases, surveying potential targets for MJC involvement, and potentially facilitating the development of shared goals among MJC and partner groups.

This is a six-month, part-time position. There is a possibility of extension, depending on funding and need.

Who We Are

MJC is a national nonprofit civil rights law firm. We represent people who have been harmed by America’s criminal legal system, seeking to vindicate their rights, elevate their story, and hold people with power accountable. We do this primarily through cutting-edge litigation and advocacy across the country, on end-to-end issues in the criminal legal system, from policing, to prosecutorial discretion, to rights of indigent defendants, to mass incarceration, to prison conditions, to wrongful convictions and the death penalty. For more information on our work, visit www.macarthurjustice.org.

The criminal legal system disproportionately harms people of color, people from low-income communities, people who were formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We strongly encourage people who identify within these and other communities underrepresented in the legal profession to apply. All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients, co-workers, and community partners who come from different backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do

Research and Information Sharing

• Conducting research and outreach
• Analyzing pending cases to identify where intervention is most critical
• Sharing information internally to MJC and with partners

Identifying Strategic Possibilities

• Working in collaboration with MJC attorneys to identify potential intervention points

External Collaboration

• Building relationships within jurisdictions with community groups, former DOJ attorneys, monitors, etc. and identifying potential law firm co-counsel.
• Working with former DOJ attorneys and law firms to file amicus briefs in certain cases.

Other Job Duties

• Attend MJC organization-wide meetings and regular office planning and staff meetings;
• Participate in training relating to office technology and office-wide practices.

Qualifications

Education:Bachelor’s Degree and J.D. degree required.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience preferred;
• Exceptional skills in legal research, writing and editing;
• Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines;
• Very close attention to detail and a commitment to completing tasks quickly and thoroughly;
• Ability to work creatively and effectively;
• Comfortable working with people in detention centers and with people otherwise caught up in the criminal legal system;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with other civil rights groups collaborating team-members, external co-counsel, etc.;
• Ability to create a working environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of MJC staff and clients.
• Experience working with or in the Special Litigation Section of the DOJ Civil Rights Division is a plus.

License and Certifications: Admission to DC, IL, or MO bar preferred

Technology:

Proficiency with Microsoft products, including Word, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as Westlaw, required

Travel

Some travel may be required to meet with partners, organizers, community organizations, etc.

Location

MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and requires some days in the office each week. The Project Attorney must reside within commuting distance to either our DC, IL, or MO offices.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter addressing your experience relevant to the considerations above, a recent legal writing sample, a current CV, and references. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted through September 12, 2025 or until the position is filled.

The weekly salary range for this position is $1,128 – $1,400 commensurate with years of experience.

MJC is a (PSLF) eligible employer. For more information visit:

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