STAFF ATTORNEY
Advancement Project seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its DC office on voter protection issues in our Power and Democracy Program.
Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color. Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program focuses on community based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers. In the 2006 election cycle, we worked primarily in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We employed our legal and communications expertise in the voter protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection in the years to come; and (3) put program teams—well seasoned by years of fighting for fair elections—at the disposal of voter registration projects and local community coalitions.
During 2008, we will continue to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement. In particular, we will continue to gather information about the 2006 elections in our priority states and counties; work with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles that arose; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 primary and general elections in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting rights cases.
Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change. Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, CA. The Washington, D.C. staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney).
The Staff Attorney will be expected to use law, community problem-solving and strategic communications to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the Staff Attorney will:
- Design and conduct investigations of various voter protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling place staffing and preparation;
- Litigate, with pro-bono counsel, voting rights lawsuits on behalf of voters and voter registration groups to challenge state laws, practices, or procedures that disenfranchise voters of color;
- Conduct legal and policy research;
- Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers;
- Assist with voter registration verification efforts;
- Attend coalition meetings with election officials;
- Train lawyers, voter registration campaigns and advocates on voter protection requirements;
- Perform Election Day monitoring;
- Draft voter protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website;
- Draft opinion editorials or letters to the editor
Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice. Litigation experience is preferred. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Extensive travel is required. Must be admitted to a bar. Salary based on experience; benefits included. Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson (gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax 202/728-9558), Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036
Application deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.
STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION: FOCUS ON WESTERN STATE
Advancement Project seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its Washington, DC office on voter protection issues. The successful candidate will focus on a western state, as part of our Power and Democracy Initiative.
Recent elections have exposed persistent structural barriers to full enfranchisement, especially in communities of color. Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program focuses on community based pre-election activities and solutions to remove these barriers. In the 2006 election cycle, we worked primarily in nine states and approximately 40 counties within those states. We employed our legal and communications expertise in the voter protection arena to: (1) identify and correct problems well before Election Day; (2) build and refine the infrastructure needed for effective voter protection in the years to come; and (3) put program teams—well seasoned by years of fighting for fair elections—at the disposal of voter registration projects and local community coalitions.
During 2008, we will continue to identify, investigate, and remove structural barriers to full enfranchisement. In particular, we will continue to gather information about the 2006 elections in our priority states and counties; work with community groups and election officials to dismantle obstacles that arose; identify and solve problems that may arise in the 2008 primary and general elections in our priority states and counties; and continue our litigation of existing and new voting rights cases.
Advancement Project develops, encourages, pioneers, and widely disseminates ideas and models that support and mobilize a broad national racial justice movement so that universal opportunity and a just democracy are achieved. Primarily through use of legal and communications strategies, Advancement Project partners with organized communities of color to accomplish structural change. Advancement Project was formed in 1998 by nationally known civil rights attorneys and has offices in Washington and Los Angeles. The Washington staff includes veteran civil rights attorneys Penda D. Hair (Co-Director), Judith A. Browne (Co-Director) and Edward A. Hailes (Senior Attorney).
The Staff Attorney will be expected to use law, community problem-solving, and strategic communications to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the Staff Attorney will:
- Design and conduct investigations of various voter protection issues, including those related to voter registration; the use of provisional ballots; ID requirements; and polling place staffing and preparation.
- Litigate, with pro-bono counsel, voting rights lawsuits on behalf of voters and voter registration groups to challenge state laws, practices, or procedures that disenfranchise voters of color.
- Conduct legal and policy research.
- Troubleshoot and provide advice on voter registration and participation barriers.
- Assist with voter registration verification efforts.
- Attend coalition meetings with election officials.
- Train lawyers, voter registration campaigns, and advocates on voter protection requirements.
- Perform Election Day monitoring.
- Draft voter protection publications, toolkits, and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website.
- Draft opinion editorials or letters to the editor.
Qualifications
Candidate must have strong research, writing, and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to racial justice. Litigation experience is preferred. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience, and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Must be admitted to a bar in a Western state, preferably Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, or New Mexico. Extensive travel is required.
Salary based on experience; benefits included. To Apply: Applicants should submit their resume, a writing sample, and a list of three references to Glendale Clarkson, Operations Manager, Advancement Project, 1730 M Street NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20036. Application can be submitted by email to gclarkson@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until filled. Position need to be filled as soon as possible.
LOCAL VOTER PROTECTION ADVOCATE: FLORIDA
Advancement Project (DC) seeks a temporary, part- or full-time, Local Voter Protection Advocate for Florida. The Local Voter Protection Advocate (“LVPA”) will join our 2008 Voter Protection Program, which is part of our Power and Democracy initiative. Through our non-partisan voter protection work we will focus on sustained pre-election activities and solutions in order to permanently break down barriers to voting in advance of the 2008 election cycle and beyond. The Florida LVPA will be Advancement Project’s on-the-ground eyes and ears in key counties, including Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach.
The duties of the LVPA include: (1) identifying and organizing community groups and stakeholders into a “Local Voter Protection Coalition;” (2) helping the coalition build relationships with local election officials in order to identify and prevent problems with voter registration and election administration; (3) anticipate barriers to voter registration and voter participation by reviewing the registration process of 2006 and 2007; (4) working with local groups to encourage adoption of Advancement Project’s voter protection model into their voter registration and community voter education activities, including providing technical support to local allies, as needed; and (5) working closely with Advancement Project’s legal staff to address and remedy barriers to voter participation.
The LVPA will be expected to use organizing, coalition building, and community problem-solving skills to remove barriers to voter participation and foster structural change toward a racially just democracy. More specifically, the LVPA will:
- Identify community partners and build a working voter protection coalition.
- Trouble shoots and provides advice on voter registration and participation barriers.
- Assist with voter registration verification efforts.
- Monitor/challenge purging practices.
- Monitor/challenge plans for Election Day practices (in advance), e.g., provisional ballots, ID requirements, polling place staffing and preparation.
- Attend coalition meetings with election officials.
- Perform Election Day monitoring.
- Work with Communications Department to maximize public impact of voter protection activities.
- Assist in drafting voter protection publications, toolkits and other materials for public dissemination to racial justice advocates and for Advancement Project’s website.
Qualifications
Candidate must have strong writing and interpersonal skills and some knowledge of legal issues, as well as a proven commitment to racial justice. A college degree is required; a law degree is helpful but not necessary. Fluency in Spanish, coalition experience, and voting rights knowledge are pluses. Extensive travel within Florida is required. Salary based on experience. To Apply: Applicants should send their resume with a list of three references and the phrase “FL Local Voter Protection Advocate” in the subject line, to Jennifer Maranzano at: jmaranzano@advancementproject.org or fax to: (202) 728-9558. Deadline: Applications accepted until position filled. Position needs to be filled as soon as possible.
Associate Director
Center for Democracy and Election Management, American University
American University is seeking an Associate Director of its Center for Democracy and Election Management (CDEM). The Center educates students and professionals on democratization with an emphasis on the best international practices in conducting elections. It also undertakes research and provides a forum for discussion of election reform in the United States and other countries. CDEM organized the Jimmy Carter-James A. Baker, III Commission on Federal Election Reform, whose report in September 2005 continues to define the contours of election reform in the U.S, and it organizes a highly successful Summer Institute for professional election administrators from around the world. International scholars are invited each year to study and teach on democratic processes. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee and manage existing international and national programs and activities of the Center.
- Develop new business in election management by soliciting new sources of external funding and preparing proposals in response to new program opportunities.
- Design and deliver training courses in election management.
- Assist in organizing and delivering workshops, conferences, and other events.
- Assist the co-Director in managing the budget and accounts and to report regularly to the School of Public Affairs and other AU finance and contracting officials on the Center's operations.
- Assist in development of a new academic certificate program within SPA on comparative election management.
- Design and direct projects to foster debate and research on a wide agenda.
- Work with staff, students, and an inter-disciplinary Faculty Advisory Committee and coordinate with other AU centers that are involved in similar work.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in political science, international affairs, or a related discipline
- Management experience with democracy and elections programs internationally and/or in the United States
- Field experience with an international donor, foundation, consulting firm or NGO a plus
- Excellent communication, initiative, and organizational skills required
Salary is commensurate with experience. Candidates should view the university's benefits package at: www.hr.american.edu. To Apply: Send resume, writing samples, list of references, and salary expectations to careers@american.edu, via fax to: 202-885-1737 or via mail to American University, Office of Human Resources, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016-8054. Candidates must include the position number (4299) or position title (Associate Director Center for Democracy and Election Management) to be considered. Please include an application form with your submission. Application forms may be found at http://www.american.edu/hr/app.html or by calling. An EEO/AA university.
Attorney – Home Defense Program
Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc., Decatur GA
Atlanta Legal Aid Society seeks an attorney to work in its Home Defense Program, a specialty unit within Atlanta Legal Aid Society which focuses primarily on predatory mortgage lending cases and foreclosure defense. Other cases include foreclosure assistance fraud, title conversion, and other home equity scams. The Home Defense Program is housed in Legal Aid's Decatur office, and is at present comprised of two full time attorneys, a full time Skadden Arps Fellow, a part-time attorney, a housing counselor/paralegal, and paralegal. Attorneys in this project screen, investigate, evaluate, refer to private attorneys, and directly represent low income persons in danger of losing their homes using a variety of advocacy methods, including work with the media, community education, brief service, advice and referral, transactional work, negotiation,
mediation, and litigation. Attorneys are encouraged to participate in local bar and social service associations involved in home protection. Qualifications:
- Excellent writing, analysis, advocacy, and interpersonal skills required.
- Georgia bar licence (or next exam) is also required.
- Appreciation of diverse staff and clientele is expected, as is adaptability to changing work pressures.
- Legal experience after law school graduation is preferred but not necessary.
- Demonstrated commitment to public service, clinical experience, familiarity with consumer protection statutes, and previous work with low income persons are strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of Spanish or an Asian language is also valued.
The position is a one-year employment arrangement, with the opportunity for renewal depending upon funding and performance. Salary $40,000 plus $2,500 upon passage of some state bar exam, and further credit depending upon legal experience after graduation from law school; excellent fringe benefits, including educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month.
To Apply: Send a letter of application, resume, a legal writing sample demonstrating your ability to research and analyze a legal issue, the names and phone numbers of three legal references, and a school certified copy of your final law school transcript to: Marian Burge at: mburge@atlantalegalaid.org, FAX (404) 525-5710 or to: Marian Burge, Deputy Director, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, 151 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2097. Initial application will be acknowledged. Please mark all correspondence about this position with the
words "HDP Attorney." EOE: ALAS considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Civic Engagement and Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, Philadelphia PA
Building on existing members and relationships, the Coordinator will develop and implement a non-partisan civic engagement campaign to engage individual members and membership based organizations in the struggle for immigrant rights. During 2008 this work will center around non-partisan voter registration of new citizens and civic engagement of registered voters as part of a long term strategy to increase power in immigrant communities. The coordinator will also be responsible for membership engagement (of existing members and allies), leadership development, as well as some administrative duties. While this position is based in Philadelphia, it requires extensive travel to other regions in the Eastern part of Pennsylvania. A minimum one year commitment to the position is required. This is a full-time position requiring visual and auditory acuity and the physical ability to climb stairs, stand for long periods of time, walk distances, and lift or carry up to 15 pounds. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions such as heat, cold, dust, fumes, noise, and wetness. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Coordinate voter registration at naturalization ceremonies (4-6 per week) and community events. (10 – 15 hours per week).
- Identify, recruit, and supervise volunteers and interns for voter registration.
- Verify that voter registration forms have been accepted by county offices.
- Outreach and engagement with registered voters.
- Keep complete and accurate records.
- Work with member organizations and community members to identify and organize outreach and education events in targeted areas of Pennsylvania. (5 – 10 hours per week).
- Develop outreach materials and oversee translation as needed.
- Work with the Training Coordinator to create a leadership training program, and recruit participants.
- Some general administrative duties for the organization (5 hours per week).
- Other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent of five years of experience as a civic engagement coordinator or community organizer
- Effective communication skills in English and Spanish
- Civic Engagement and voter education or mobilization experience required
- Community organizing experience strongly preferred
- Ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience working with immigrant communities
- Willingness to accept supervision and work as part of a team.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
- Experience using Microsoft Office, Excel and Power Point
- Valid driver’s license, a reliable car, and proof of car insurance
- Willingness to work at other locations, as needed.
- Ability to work flexible hours (some evenings and weekends) and occasional overnight travel for trainings
Salary: $32,000 per year. Health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave in accordance with personnel policy provided. To Apply: Please submit resume, two references, and a relevant writing sample via email to piccadmin@gmail.com. Deadline:
Interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible. The position is open until filled.
Managing Attorney – Immigrant Advocacy Program
Legal Aid Justice Center, Falls Church VA
The Legal Aid Justice Center invites applications for a Managing Attorney of its Immigrant Advocacy Program in Falls Church, VA. To meet the clients’ goals, the Center employs a multi-pronged strategy that includes litigation, community education and outreach, organizing, and advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Supervise an office of two attorneys, two community organizers, and a legal assistant.
- Litigate cases defending the rights of low-wage immigrant workers.
- Advance policies supportive of Virginia’s low-wage immigrant workers.
- Work in coalition with community members and organizations to improve the quality of life for the area’s immigrant communities.
- Assist the development team to raise funds.
Qualifications:
- Membership in the Virginia bar or eligibility to waive in immediately
- 3+ years’ experience working with low-wage immigrant workers
- Commitment to social justice
- Outstanding communications skills
- Ability to balance a variety of responsibilities
- Spanish proficiency, at a minimum
Competitive and newly revised public interest salary depends on experience. Exceptional fringe benefits include generous leave, fully paid health insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, law school loan repayment assistance, dedicated co-workers, and a truly great work environment. To Apply: Send resume and cover letter by e-mail to Alex Gulotta (alex@justice4all.org) and Tim Freilich (tim@justice4all.org), followed by one hard copy to: Alex R. Gulotta, Executive Director, Legal Aid Justice Center, 1000 Preston Avenue, Suite A Charlottesville, VA 22903. Deadline: The starting date is negotiable, but preference will be given to applicants available by July 2008. This position will be open until filled. The Legal Aid Justice Center is a 501(c)3 and does not receive funding from the Legal Services Corporation. The Legal Aid Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Migrant Farmworker Attorney
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Dayton OH
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit law firm providing free legal assistance to low-income migrant farmworkers throughout Ohio. ABLE seeks an energetic, bright, and hard working attorney to work with its Migrant Farmworker Program based in Dayton. Case areas will include immigration, housing, employment, government benefits and civil rights. Qualifications:
- Excellent legal and communication skills
- Ability to relate well with low-income clients
- Computer proficient
- Demonstrated a strong commitment to legal services to the poor.
- Ability to communicate in Spanish orally and in writing is highly preferred
- Membership in Ohio Bar or ability to be admitted by motion or examination required
- Previous experience in poverty law, provision of legal services to migrant farmworkers, and work with community groups is preferred.
Salary is based on relevant legal experience. Excellent benefits including loan repayment assistance and language compensation provided. To Apply: Send resume electronically as soon as possible, in Microsoft Word format only, to: jobs@ablelaw.org, Subj: Dayton Migrant Farmworker Attorney. Applications will only be accepted by e-mail. Deadline: None given. Apply as soon as possible. Equal access to ABLE’s office is available. Applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact the Recruitment Coordinator at the address listed above. EEO
Project Director – Fair Housing Litigation Project
Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs is a nonprofit civil rights organization established in 1968 to address issues of discrimination and poverty in the Washington DC area. The Committee practices in six areas: housing, equal employment and accommodations, disability rights, immigrant rights, public education, and prisoners’ rights. The Fair Housing Litigation Project is one of the Committee’s busiest practice areas and is involved in a spectrum of issues, including federal and state litigation impacting fair housing rights. In conjunction with co-counsel from Washington’s private bar, both individuals and classes receive representation, often in matters involving broad and systemic relief. Currently, the Fair Housing Litigation Project represents a group of homeowners whose homes were destroyed or damaged by racially motivated violence, a group of Latino residents suing a local municipality for harassment and discrimination, individuals and organizations alleging that developers have failed to include legally mandated accessibility features for person with disabilities in multi-family housing, and individuals who have filed claims alleging predatory lending. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Manage extensive fair housing litigation docket and other civil rights cases.
- Supervise a staff attorney and paralegal.
- Coordinate work with other Committee Project Directors, senior counsel, and pro bono counsel from a large number of cooperating law firms.
Qualifications:
- J.D. and excellent academic credentials
- Minimum of five years litigation experience
- Civil rights background generally and fair housing experience specifically, highly desirable
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated management skills
- Ability to work effectively as a team member with volunteer co-counsel and client organizations
Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits. To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume to Susan D. Gilbert, Director of Administration, The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, 11 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20036 or email: susan_gilbert@washlaw.org. The Washington Lawyers’ Committee is an equal opportunity employer.
Racial Justice/Immigrants Rights Director
American Civil Liberties Union of VA
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia seeks a highly motivated individual committed to civil liberties and racial and ethnic equality to direct the organization’s Racial Justice and Immigrants Rights Project (RJIRP). The RJIRP director will employ strategies involving community outreach, grassroots organizing, public education, and legislative advocacy to promote racial justice and immigrants' rights in Virginia at the local and state level. The RJIP Director may work from the ACLU office in Richmond or from Northern Virginia, and should be able to communicate effectively in Spanish as well as English. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Networking with allies and building coalitions.
- Monitoring state and local governing bodies, and responding in writing and orally to proposed laws and policies that affect immigrants and racial minorities.
- Researching and writing reports to advance the RJIRP's public education mission.
- Researching and writing materials on racial justice and immigrants rights for distribution to affected population.
- Organizing events to promote racial justice and immigrants rights.
- Coordinating the RJIRP's educational and outreach efforts.
- Speaking at public meetings and granting interviews to the media.
- Working under the direction of the ACLU of Virginia Legal Director to develop lawsuits challenging discriminatory policies and practices.
- Performing other related duties as assigned by Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and English
- Passion for civil liberties and a commitment to organizing
- Demonstrated experience in coalition building and community organizing
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate volunteers
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
- Strong self-motivation and ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Experience working with diverse communities, clients and coalition partners
- Willingness to work beyond the 9 to 5 hours of the normal workday, including evenings and weekends
- Although not required, a J.D. would be beneficial and depending on experience, would likely cause the job description to change to include responsibilities related to litigation
Excellent benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, life and disability coverage, pension plan, and parking (if needed). To Apply: Applications should include a cover letter, resume, writing sample (no more than 10 pages), and list of at least three references, including contact information for each. Submit applications by post, fax, or email to: Kent Willis, Executive Director Email: kwillis@acluva.org, Fax: 804-649-2733 or to ACLU of Virginia, 530 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Applications from all interested persons, including women, people of color, persons with disabilities and GLBTQ persons are encouraged.
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