Senior Staff Attorney (Litigation), Just Futures Law
Santa Clara, CA, United States
Senior Staff Attorney (Litigation), Just Futures Law Just Futures Law, Inc. (JFL) is a womxn-of-color-led movement law project that defends and builds the power of immigrant rights and criminal justice activists, organizers, and community groups to prevent the criminalization, detention, and deportation of immigrants and people of color in the United States. JFL was founded in 2019 and is based in Washington, D.C. We have an entrepreneurial, start-up culture, and a big love of hustle. JFL is a virtual organization based in Washington, DC. A staff of 5 works remotely in D.C., MA, NC, and NY.
Position:
JFL seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to develop and bring strategic litigation using a movement lawyering and racial justice frame to build the power of our grassroots partners and communities impacted by repressive immigration policies. This attorney will engage in litigation and advocacy to combat tech policing deployed against immigrant communities, defend the First Amendment rights of immigrants, and challenge immigration enforcement. We are seeking someone with a demonstrated commitment to immigrant and civil rights and a track record of contributing to innovative litigation in state and federal courts. This is a full-time, exempt position. JFL makes decisions in a collaborative fashion that allows for significant staff input. This position is remote and will report to the Legal Director.
Responsibilities:
Investigate, file, and litigate immigrant rights, civil rights, privacy law, and First Amendment cases in both federal and state courts. This includes legal research, investigative work, identifying plaintiffs, developing claims, writing pleadings and briefs, discovery and motions practice, and handling trials and appeals.
File and litigate FOIA requests in federal court.
Engage with grassroots and community partners to identify emerging issues for litigation and advocacy.
Provide legal technical assistance and strategic collaboration to grassroots and community partners as needed.
Supervise and mentor junior lawyers, law students and volunteers as needed.
Represent JFL publicly in meetings, media, panels, and other settings.
Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and retreats.
Required Qualifications
J.D. and admission in good standing to the bar of any U.S. state or D.C.
At least 5 years of significant litigation experience is required, and 7+ years of practicing law is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to represent individuals in complex cases and to develop and implement sophisticated legal strategies.
Ability to file and litigate cases independently and collaboratively; excellent problem-solving skills; ability to juggle multiple on-going projects and exercise good judgment under stressful situations.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Strong verbal skills in presenting both to lawyers and to the public.
Self-starter, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure.
Initiative, vision, and ambition to help grow a vibrant, movement-oriented litigation program.
A commitment to racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences.
Desired Qualifications
Plaintiff-side work and/or previous experience in constitutional law litigation.
Expertise in immigration law.
Experience supervising and mentoring junior attorneys.
Leadership and organizational skills to encourage volunteer lawyers to work cooperatively in coalitions on complicated cases; the ability to take initiative, think strategically, and share responsibility and credit.
Demonstrated experience building trust and relationships with grassroots and community-based organizations and directly impacted peoples.
Effective project management skills and ability to coordinate with internal and external partners.
Spanish fluency is a plus.
How to Apply:
This position will remain open until filled. To apply, email a letter of application, a resume, a writing sample, and a list of 3 references, preferably including at least one direct supervisor, to [email protected] and include in the subject line of the email “Senior Staff Attorney 2022”. In your letter, please indicate where you learned of the posting.
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