Staff Attorney (NY)

The Job

The Staff Attorney reports to a Senior Attorney on the Litigation team and participates in impact litigation on reproductive rights in federal and state courts to improve access to non-discriminatory, high-quality reproductive health care – including abortion care, maternal health care, and assisted reproduction. They will contribute to our work to build a comprehensive and enduring right of reproductive autonomy grounded in principles of equality; racial, gender, and economic justice; and human rights.

The position will be based in the Center’s New York City office in a hybrid model of 3 days in-office, 2 days working from home.

Primary Responsibilities

• Participating in all aspects of litigation, including:
• Conducting legal research and analysis
• Drafting pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda
• Engaging in discovery and motion practice
• Participating in trials, evidentiary hearings, and oral arguments
• Conducting appeals
• Analyzing legislation for potential litigation opportunities and assisting in the development of new cases and legal theories to advance the Center’s strategic priorities.
• Working closely with plaintiffs, fact witnesses, and expert witnesses.
• Nurturing and maintaining client relationships, including providing compliance advice.
• Maintaining other important institutional relationships, including relationships with pro bono counsel, local counsel, and other external partners.
• Representing the Center at public events, conferences, coalition meetings, and meetings with donors and foundations.
• Working closely with the Center’s Communications and Development teams to provide support and information as needed, including messaging guidance and handling press calls.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position starts at $119,480, commensurate with years of experience. This salary reflects a position based in New York City or Washington, D.C. This salary will be subject to a downward locality adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

Union Status

This position is anticipated to be within the bargaining unit represented by UAW Local 2325 (ALAA).

FLSA Exempt Status

The Staff Attorney is an exempt position.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York Bar or D.C. Bar required, based on the office where the attorney is based. If not currently admitted to the New York Bar or D.C. Bar, candidate must be admitted to the bar of another state and become admitted to the New York Bar or D.C. bar within 18 months of hire.
• Minimum of three years in legal practice, including judicial clerkship, litigation, law and policy advocacy, legal research or academia, or comparable legal work.
• Excellent legal advocacy skills, including strong research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy abilities for court, legal, and lay audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop complex legal arguments and strategies.
• Maintains a high level of expertise in relevant substantive law.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including ability to self-motivate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, and provide quick turnaround of assignments while collaborating in a team.
• Displays a problem-solving and supportive attitude with colleagues and demonstrates sound judgment to support team and organizational goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, including the ability to delegate and supervise junior attorneys and paralegals on a project basis.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Center’s mission and values, including experience or familiarity with reproductive rights legal issues, reproductive justice, racial justice, or other human rights, civil rights, criminal law, or social justice issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive equity work and incorporating inclusive equitable principles into legal, programmatic, and partnership work.
• Ability to travel as needed for court appearances and other work, including to locations outside the New York and DC areas.
• English language fluency required, Spanish a plus.

Benefits

• Health: The Center provides a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage.
• Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being. The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.
• Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (*applicable only in US and Kenya).

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.

Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.