Job Description

The SPLC is seeking a Senior Staff or Staff Attorney who is committed to reducing the incarceration of black and brown people in the Deep South!

The Criminal Legal System Reform team works to advance the SPLC’s strategic goal to reduce the incarcerated and detained population by decriminalizing and decarcerating Black and Brown people in the Deep South. We challenge unjust laws and agency actions that reinforce systemic inequities and state-sponsored violence against Black and Brown people, and unjust and unconstitutional laws contributing to the over-incarceration of Black and Brown communities. Our work includes policing, pretrial justice, the criminalization of reproductive rights, postconviction relief and conditions cases, and children in adults, jails, and prisons.

Who You Are

Experienced. Demonstrated experience litigating individual and class action civil rights cases in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels.

Advocate. Experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, to reform the criminal systems.

Committed. Demonstrated interest and commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering.

Analytical. Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences. 

Researcher. Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research and factual investigations.

Creative. Ability to create vision and take calculated risks in crafting and executing strategies to move litigation forward.

Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work with other Advocacy and Litigation Impact Teams (ALITs), external organizations, and stakeholders to execute specific strategies to advance the work and cases of the Criminal Legal Systems ALIT.

Communicative. Exceptional communication skills and ability to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences through writing and speaking.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrated awareness for SPLC's mission and vision; and a commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and fostering an anti-racist work culture and anti-racist principles and learning.

What You'll Do

Lead the implementation of SPLC’s criminal legal system reform advocacy strategies, especially in the Deep South.

Develop, new cases in consultation with SPLC staff and community partners.

Senior Staff Attorneys will train, and mentor legal staff as needed.

Develop and maintain collaborations and partnerships with community organizations.

Investigate, gather information, and interview clients and witnesses.

Collaborate with team members of other ALITs in the Legal Department as well as all other members of other SPLC Departments to advance the impact goals and campaigns of SPLC.

Write legal memos and briefs.

Represent SPLC in various forums, including before community groups, legislators, and state agencies.

Respond to requests for legal assistance.

Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision and values of the Center and Legal Department’s goals.

Minimum Qualifications

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• Staff Attorney I-II: At least one (1) year of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post-law school;
• Senior Staff Attorney I-IV: At least six (6) years of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post-law school; Membership in good standing of at least one state bar in the United States, preferably Georgia, Mississippi or Florida; and
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Compensation

This is an exempt role; the minimum starting salary is $73,832.00 annually.  Salary is based on legal experience post-law school. 

• Staff Attorney I (1-3 years out of law school): $73,832.00.
• Staff Attorney II (4-5 years out of law school): $84,904.00.
• Senior Staff Attorney I (6 & 7 years out of law school):  $97,637.00.
• Senior Staff Attorney II (8 & 9 years out of law school):  $112,286.00.
• Senior Staff Attorney III (10 & 11 years out of law school): $129,129.00.
• Senior Staff IV (12+ years out of law school): $148,500.00.

Click hereto view the benefits available to SPLC  staff.

Where and How You'll Work

This role has the following work designation options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
• This position will report to the Senior Supervising Attorney, Criminal Legal Systems Team.

Other Specialist Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

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