Senior Staff Attorney

The Center for Protest Law and Litigation
, a project of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, seeks a skilled, enthusiastic and motivated civil rights attorney to join in litigation of existing cases and development of new litigation, theories and initiatives to defend and advance constitutional rights and social and environmental justice in the United States. This work will involve the range of PCJF’s civil rights matters, with a special focus on the work of the Center for Protest Law and Litigation regarding legal matters at the intersection of First and Fourth Amendment rights in the context of free speech, assembly and protest.

The attorney will work on both civil litigation and on criminal defense of demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities, as well as transparency and FOIA matters.

This position within a cutting edge and nimble litigation organization offers an opportunity for an attorney to assume significant independent responsibility within a collaborative team that has substantial expertise in constitutional rights litigation and in defense of First Amendment activity.

As leaders in bringing high impact civil rights and constitutional rights litigation for over 25 years, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund has brought groundbreaking cases, changed laws and policies, and won millions in damages for persons whose rights have been violated. Our litigation work is integrated with outreach, education and advocacy with affected groups, communities, activists and organizations in racial, social and environmental justice movements.

Our work is focused ultimately on creating meaningful social, political and legal changes and dismantling systems of repression.

The Center for Protest Law & Litigation works to protect and advance the rights of protestors to organize, assemble and demand justice around the country. We defend free speech rights through affirmative civil litigation, including against the mechanisms of police violence, as well as criminal defense of protestors swept up in political arrests.

• Actively engage in significant impact litigation including discovery, depositions, motions practice, drafting briefs, correspondence, conducting thorough legal research, and court appearances.

• Provide direct defense to activists and support other attorneys defending demonstrators subject to arrest for First Amendment activities.

• Prepare FOIA and public records requests and litigate the requests as necessary.

• Develop, evaluate, and investigate potential claims, new projects and litigation strategies to forward our efforts to defend and advance civil rights and social justice nationally, and work as part of a collaborative team.

• Draft publications and other legal resources including reports, fact sheets, and know your rights materials for public education and outreach and for audiences of varied backgrounds.

• Work closely and cooperatively with allied political activists, grassroots organizations and partner coalitions.

• Engage in public speaking at conferences and community events on CPLL/PCJF advocacy and litigation and outreach to the media and public generally.

• Participate in development and fundraising efforts as requested.

• Provide leadership and supervision of fellows, interns and staff as assigned.

• Assist in other related duties as assigned.

• Minimum 5 years' experience with §1983 litigation and/or substantial criminal defense.

• Demonstrated litigation skills and experience including the ability to conduct discovery and take effective depositions.

• Ability to draft high quality legal briefs and must reliably complete research that is comprehensive, accurate and does not require secondary review.

• Creative thinker in strategic and tactical planning to advance constitutional rights issues. Ability to develop and implement litigation strategies and to work collaboratively within the organization.

• Admission to the D.C. bar or ability to waive in.

• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and dedication to civil rights and social and environmental justice issues.

• Self-motivated…