Empire Justice Center’s Civil Rights, Education and Employment (CREE) Practice Group is seeking an experienced attorney to join our team.
Empire Justice Center, a statewide not for profit law firm focused on systems change advocacy is looking for a dynamic civil rights litigator ideally with civil rights, special education and employment experience to grow our civil rights practice in Rochester, NY. Empire Justice Center’s systems change approach focuses on achieving high impact, lasting improvements by examining client and community experience with the law to identify systemic barriers and then pursuing solutions through training and technical assistance, impact litigation and policy change. This is an opportunity to join a highly respected organization that is focused on getting to the root causes of racial and economic justice.
Empire Justice Center hires dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates to make a significant impact on the lives of New Yorkers. We achieve our successes through a combination of direct legal representation and high-impact litigation and policy work. We also provide training and technical assistance to other advocates working towards the same goals.
With offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island, our organization offers staff an exciting and dynamic working environment and a strong commitment to teamwork, diversity, and personal/professional development.
Primary Responsibilities for the Civil Rights/Special Education Attorney:
We are seeking an experienced attorney who will be responsible for an independent caseload comprised of litigating individual employment, education, and civil rights cases and who will be part of a team that works on systemic change litigation (e.g. N.N. vs. RCSD). Duties include: providing advice and counsel to individual clients, evaluating new cases for acceptance and representation, developing an impartial hearing practice, litigating cases, conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, drafting pleadings, briefs and discovery, document review, case management, motion practice, practice group supervision, and supervision of staff attorneys, paralegals, and intake procedures. A part of the attorney’s work also includes advocacy through local and state level policy initiatives, and collaboration with community organizations supporting the low-income and marginalized communities we serve
Qualifications
Required
- A J.D. and at least five years and up to 12 years relevant legal experience, including litigation experience.
- Admission to the New York State Bar or passed the NY bar and awaiting admission.; or out of state admission with eligibility for pro hac vice status.
- Experience and a fearless desire to work on challenging civil rights, employment, and education matters in representing low -income families and individuals.
- Unafraid to learn and practice new and changing areas of law.
- Experience representing clients in state or federal court and administrative agency proceedings.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, legal research and analytical skills, and excellent organizational abilities. a.
- Ability to work successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and treat clients with consideration and respect.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated leadership.
- Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and/or other vulnerable populations.
Preferred
- Experience in Section 1983 litigation, federal employment law, and/or Special Education law.
- Experience working with low-income families and communities.
- Experience in outreach, community education, organizing, or coalition-building.
- Supervisory experience and/or strong interest in developing.
- Bilingual (English & Spanish or English & ASL).
Salary and Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience and based on our salary scale. Empire Justice Center offers a generous benefit package, including health insurance, life insurance, vacation, holiday and sick time. We are an organization that supports and encourages a work/life balance.
Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer and desires a diverse and inclusive work force. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
This position is available immediately. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: (no phone calls or hard copy mail please)
employment@empirejustice.org
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