Public Rights Project Staff Attorney, Civil Rights Hub

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Public Rights Project (PRP) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps local government officials fight for civil rights. We build their capacity to protect and advance civil rights, convene and connect them on key issues, and provide legal representation to help them win in court for residents. Since 2017, we've recovered over $46 million in relief for marginalized people; built a network of over 1,300 government offices, elected officials, and community-based organizations in 50 states;

trained 130 prosecutors and government lawyers in 24 states; and secured court victories on abortion, immigrant, workers’, and voting rights.

Public Rights Project seeks to hire a Staff Attorney to join its Civil Rights Hub. The Staff Attorney will support Civil Rights Hub responsibilities, including performing legal research and writing, coordinating resources for local jurisdictions and leaders, and advising jurisdictional partners on a wide array of civil rights matters. The ideal candidate has strong legal writing skills, can prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrates excellent judgment about what information needs immediate attention.

The Staff Attorney will work across multiple civil rights issue areas. The Staff Attorney will be expected to produce high-quality written work product, including amicus briefs, memoranda, and legal analysis, while managing competing priorities and deadlines. In addition, the position will require strategic thinking to best provide a spectrum of both legal and non-legal support for our partners and thinking through how best to equip local governments with the tools and resources they need to fight for their communities.

This position does not include formal supervisory responsibilities, though the Staff Attorney will work independently and collaboratively with other team members.

• Advise, counsel, and support PRP government partners (cities, counties, elected officials) on civil rights matters;

• Conduct legal research and provide guidance and analysis across a range of civil rights issues and jurisdictions;

• Draft persuasive legal documents including amicus briefs, memoranda, legal analyses, and other written work product;

• Identify opportunities for CRH advocacy and strategize pathways to action;

• Participate in coalition work with diverse partners, including government officials, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups;

• Exercise judgment to filter and prioritize information for leadership, managing up effectively;

• Identify opportunities for CRH advocacy and assist with case selection and strategy;

• Support PRP’s communications about the CRH, including through public speaking, conversations with the press, and drafting press statements, “explainers,” and op-eds (as needed);

• Work well independently and collaboratively with case teams;

• Team player;

• Other duties as assigned.

• Licensed to practice law in a jurisdiction of the United States

• At least 4+ years of relevant experience as an attorney. Relevant experience may include:
  Litigation experience, including brief writing, work at nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or law firms focused on civil rights, civil litigation, or related areas

• Experience in reproductive rights, LGBTQI+ rights, disability rights, or similar civil rights areas is a plus

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex briefs, memoranda, and legal analysis

• Strong legal research and analytical skills

• Ability to analyze and explain complex legal issues

• Outstanding judgment about both legal issues and strategy

• Ability to prioritize effectively in high-volume, fast-paced environments

• Ability to take ownership and accountability; learns from mistakes and moves forward

• Team player who can work with government partners, co-counsel, community-based organizations, and other advocates, as well as internal teams

• Display a positive and respectful attitude, work well with diverse people and communities, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good…