Staff Attorney, Litigation

*** COVID vaccination required.  Exemptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon request ***

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 and located in Washington, D.C.  Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.  For 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nation’s capital – fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, D.C., Advancing Justice | AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation.  With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.

Title:              Staff Attorney, Litigation

Reports to:     Director of Litigation

Term:             Immediately

Status:            Full time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week

Salary:           $75,000-$90,000

Position Summary:  The Staff Attorney, Litigation will be responsible for developing and implementing Advancing Justice | AAJC’s impact litigation practice, including legal research, case development, and drafting/filing briefs. Advancing Justice | AAJC’s litigation practice focuses on advancing the organization’s policy and advocacy goals before the courts. Core policy and advocacy issues include, but are not limited to, voting, immigration, and education equity.

The Staff Attorney, Litigation will also work with their counterparts at the other Advancing Justice affiliates to ensure alignment with our litigation strategies and to maximize the effectiveness of our collective endeavors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan and Strategize Activities Related to Litigation:

• Assist the Director of Litigation with the implementation of a proactive litigation strategy for Advancing Justice | AAJC, including engaging Advancing Justice | AAJC in amicus and impact litigation opportunities that support Advancing Justice | AAJC’s programmatic work and mission;
• Willingness and interest in litigating the full range of Advancing Justice | AAJC’s impact litigation portfolio, including: voting, immigration, and educational opportunity;
• Assist in developing new impact litigation cases, including legal and non-legal research and investigating potential claims;
• Draft full range of litigation related materials, including but not limited to preparing complaints, internal case memos, merits briefs, amicus briefs, and discovery requests;
• Participate in discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals;
• Support Advancing Justice | AAJC’s policy leads in developing and implementing strategies to advance the organization’s policy agenda on issues including but not limited to voting, census, education equity (higher education and K-12), immigration and naturalization, national security, anti-racial profiling, and incidents of hate;
• Assist in creating and implementing multi-disciplinary strategies, using litigation, organizing, community education, and policy advocacy;
• Monitor and track the dockets of the Supreme Court and other federal and state courts on emerging cases that concern the Asian American community;
• Facilitate coordination with pro bono counsel, coalitional partners, and Advancing Justice | AAJC’s affiliate partners;
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Team in the development and implementation of strategic communications plans related to litigation issues; including providing content support, responding to press inquiries and making public speaking appearances as necessary and appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the Community Engagement Team in the development and implementation of Community Partners’ Network strategies, tactics and activities on litigation issues as necessary and appropriate;
• Travel as necessary, when conditions permit; and
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Develop, Implement and Maintain External Relationships and Partnerships:

• Support the development and implementation of Advancing Justice | AAJC’s pro bono network to create strong partnerships with private practice attorneys who can support Advancing Justice | AAJC projects;
• Build and maintain relationships with legal and advocacy groups within the civil rights and Asian American communities;
• Develop outreach and educational materials to promote Advancing Justice | AAJC’s litigation and policy work; and
• Respond to press inquiries and make public speaking appearances.

Fundraising:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a development supported growth strategy for litigation, including the identification of donor prospects through work with peer organizations and other professional contacts and the development of potential programmatic elements that may be of particular interest to donors/prospects;
• Work with the finance and development teams to craft project budgets and contribute to the development of grant proposals relating to litigation;
• Provide content/information for donor communications and materials (donor newsletters, action alerts, special reports from the executive director, social media postings, etc.); and
• Attend meetings with prospects/donors as necessary and appropriate. 

General AAJC Roles:

• Live and exhibit the Core Values of Advancing Justice | AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and Community Partners;
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of Advancing Justice | AAJC are implemented;
• Participate fully in, and lead decision-making processes; understand outcomes and be accountable for decisions made in, or affecting their area;
• Understand the values and principles of Advancing Justice | AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities;
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad hoc committees as requested;
• Attend and contribute to Advancing Justice | AAJC and board of directors meetings; and
• Willing to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Education:

• J.D. degree from accredited law school and member in good standing with a state bar association;
• Four to five years of experience in federal litigation practice with a focus in civil rights issues including voting, immigration, and/or education equity preferred.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently;

• Ability to operationalize vision, think strategically, creatively problem solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change;
• Outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
• Broad, relevant, litigation experience at the trial and/or appellate level;
• Capacity to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences.

• Successful track record of forging alliances, working in coalitions, and moving people to take collective action;
• Ability to work effectively in case teams, including co-counsel from other civil rights organizations and pro bono counsel, demonstrating both Advancing Justice | AAJC’s expertise while being a team player.
• Facilitative and collaborative leadership style with strong people skills;
• Experience working with diverse groups from various sectors ranging from LEP individuals, grassroots to policy institutions;
• Excellent communicator and writer with experience as a spokesperson who can articulate messages to different audiences, including the media;
• Demonstrated ability to manage, coach and mentor interns and work collegially with team members;
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and balance competing assignments is necessary;
• Knowledge of civil rights statutes and case law, particularly as they pertain to Asian Americans; and 
• Experience navigating the litigation processes.

Desired Qualification:

• Experience and knowledge in Asian American and/or civil and human rights issues.

Application Process: 

Send resume with references, short writing sample and a cover letter to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or by mail.

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.