Senior Staff or Staff Attorney, Democracy: Education & Youth, ALIT

SPLC’s Democracy: Education and Youth Advocacy and Litigation Impact Team (ALIT) uses litigation, strategic legal advocacy, and community lawyering to strengthen and defend public education as a cornerstone for a multi-racial, inclusive democracy. The team advances the human right of all young people to access community-based public schools that are fully funded, inclusive, high quality, and free from segregation, discrimination, punishment, and criminalization.

About You

• Experienced in developing and litigating novel and complex civil rights impact litigation in federal and state courts at the trial and/or appellate level.
• Advocate with experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South.
• Committed to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering.
• Analytical with the ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.
• Strong researcher with demonstrated excellence in legal research, writing, and editing on complex, novel questions and factual investigations.
• Creative in crafting and executing strategies to move litigation forward.
• Collaborative with the ability to work with other ALITs, external organizations, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, including persuasive writing and speaking before courts and other tribunals.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to SPLC’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

• 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 and other SPLC departments to advance impact goals and campaigns.
• Research and write legal memos and briefs on complex legal and factual questions.
• Represent SPLC in various forums, including courts, community groups, legislators, and state agencies.
• Respond to requests for legal assistance.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the role.
• Uphold JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners.

Requirements

• Membership in good standing of at least one state bar in the United States, preferably Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Florida.
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Qualifications

• Staff Attorney I-II: At least one (1) year of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post law school.
• Senior Staff I-IV: At least six (6) years of federal court civil litigation or comparable experience post law school.

Pay

This is an exempt role with a minimum starting salary of $78,832.00 annually, based on legal experience post law school:

• Staff Attorney I (1-3 years out of law school): $78,832.00
• Staff Attorney II (4-5 years out of law school): $89,905.00
• Senior Staff Attorney I (6 & 7 years out of law school): $102,637.00
• Senior Staff Attorney II (8 & 9 years out of law school): $117,286.00
• Senior Staff Attorney III (10 & 11 years out of law school): $134,129.00
• Senior Staff IV (12+ years out of law school): $153,500.00

Benefits

View the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Schedule

This role offers the following work designations:

• Local Remote: Work remotely but attend work-related activities at SPLC offices or in states where SPLC operates.
• Telework: Work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative location.

This position reports to the Senior Supervising Attorney, Democracy: Education & Youth ALIT.