Senior Supervising Attorney, Inclusion and Anti-Extremism

Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking a Senior Supervising Attorney committed to dismantling white supremacy. The role develops, litigates, and supervises cases against hate groups and other actors perpetrating hateful and extremist activity, advancing the rights of individuals and communities targeted by extremists and hate groups.

Who You Are

• Experienced. Demonstrated experience leading and litigating complex and/or class action cases and campaigns involving constitutional and civil rights, including First Amendment, due process, equal protection rights, the Ku Klux Klan Act and other anti-discrimination statutes, public and private torts, and/or digital and cyber law.
• People Manager. Experienced manager with proven success in supervising and developing legal teams. Clear communicator of goals, priorities, organizational policies, and processes.
• Effective leader. Established leadership in creating work plans, project management, setting annual goals, and supporting and tracking staff performance.
• Advocate. Experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, to dismantle white supremacy.
• Creative. Ability to create vision, think innovatively, and account for capacity and risks in investigating matters, developing cases, and executing strategies.
• Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work with other teams, external organizations, co-counsel, and stakeholders to advance SPLC’s mission.
• Communicative. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences through writing and speaking.
• Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to SPLC’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of SPLC’s inclusion and anti-extremism legal advocacy strategies, especially in the Deep South.
• Develop, lead, supervise, consult, and advise on complex civil rights impact cases in federal and state courts and administrative entities.
• Supervise and manage litigation teams within the ALIT and the Legal Department, including SPLC attorneys, paralegals, analysts, investigators, fellows, legal interns, and others, providing mentoring and coaching.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Legal Director and the Policy Department to identify and support the advancement of SPLC’s state, local, and federal policy priorities.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department to develop communication strategies around cases and campaigns.
• Work with team members of other ALITs and SPLC Departments to advance impact goals and campaigns.
• Serve as a public thought leader on issues confronting the communities SPLC serves, representing SPLC in the media, at conferences, and in other public venues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, coalition members, and legal allies to foster open communication and collaboration with directly impacted people and communities.
• Hire, mentor, train, and monitor staff performance and development, and conduct performance reviews.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the role.
• Uphold SPLC’s JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners to deliver impactful work aligned with the Center’s mission and values.

Requirements

• At least eight (8) years of federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience.
• At least two (2) years of supervisor experience managing legal professionals.
• Membership in good standing of at least one state bar in the United States, preferably Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, or Washington, D.C.
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Pay

The minimum starting salary for this exempt role is $164,300.00 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

• Local Remote: Employees are expected to attend work-related activities at SPLC offices and in states where SPLC operates, including trainings, meetings, events, hearings, and court appearances.
• Telework: Eligible to work two days (16 hours) a week from an alternative work location.

This position reports to the Deputy Legal Director, Inclusion & Anti-Extremism ALIT.