Attorney

About Us

Civil Rights Corps (CRC) is a non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2016, CRC challenges wealth-based and race-based systems of oppression. We work to shift power to community-led movements, particularly those led by Black and Brown people who are most affected by this legal system, so they can build sufficient power to create structural change. We work with individuals accused and convicted of crimes, their families and communities, people currently or formerly incarcerated, activists, organizers, judges, and government officials to challenge mass human caging, to create a legal system that promotes equality and human freedom, and to dismantle white supremacy. Civil Rights Corps engages in advocacy and public education and specializes in innovative, systemic civil rights litigation with the goal of re-sensitizing the legal system and our culture to the injustice and brutality that characterize the contemporary U.S. legal system.

CRC has won groundbreaking litigation challenging the rise of debtors’ prisons, abusive private probation schemes, and wealth-based pre-trial detention. CRC works closely with community partners and is committed to fundamentally transforming the criminal system. CRC’s staff is comprised of passionate and dedicated advocates with a profound commitment to social justice and fighting inequality in all its forms.   Learn more about our work at civilrightscorps.org.

 

Job Description

CRC seeks attorneys to join our team.  All attorneys at CRC work on impact litigation and advocacy challenging mass human caging, with a goal of creating a legal system that promotes equality and freedom.

 

Job duties include:

  • Litigating complex civil rights cases in federal and state court to challenge a range of injustices within the criminal legal system.  More experienced attorneys are expected to help manage litigation teams that include attorneys and investigators from CRC as well as outside organizations and and/or law firms.
  • Investigating and developing factual and legal claims; preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling trials and appeals.
  • Working with other CRC departments in the creation of advocacy campaigns integrating litigation, organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with community partners, organizers, coalition members and legal allies.
  • Representing CRC in the media, at conferences, and at other venues.
  • Assisting with CRC’s organizational development and planning.
  • Depending on experience, mentor less experienced attorneys and legal fellows.

 

Qualifications 

Ideal applicants are passionate about racial and social justice, humble, hardworking, fast learners, proactive, able to juggle multiple tasks, interpersonally and culturally competent, and able to work well in a collaborative environment.  Innovative thinking, an unwillingness to accept things as they are, and a strong work ethic are essential.

We are seeking attorneys with a range of experience. More experienced applicants must have significant legal writing and courtroom litigation experience.

 

All applicants must have:

  • JD degree and admission to practice law in a U.S. state.
  • Experience in litigating in either civil rights or criminal (or both) cases.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission, purpose, and values of CRC.
  • Excellent writing and research skills and the ability to engage in complex legal analysis.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
  • Experience working with diverse populations, with those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, and on behalf of low-income clients.
  • Race and identity competency, ability to understand, appreciate and navigate issues of identity power and privilege with clients, partners and colleagues.
  • Demonstrated commitment to an integrated strategy for challenging the criminal legal system, including litigation, policy and community engagement.  This commitment includes an understanding of the need to build power in those communities affected by this strategy.
  • Innovative thinking, an unwillingness to accept things as they are, and a strong work ethic are essential.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, establish priorities, work independently, self-motivate, and,  proceed with objectives with minimal supervision.

 

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position; preference will be given to candidates based in or willing to relocate to Washington, D.C., but remote candidates will be considered.  Salary is determined based on years of legal experience and will be in the range of $85,000 – 154,000.

Civil Rights Corps offers an outstanding and generous benefits package, including employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits; transit benefits; an annual wellness benefit; retirement matching; and paid sick, family, and unlimited vacation leave. .  This position is included within United Civil Rights Workers, the CRC workers’ union.

 

Application Requirements 

To apply, please submit  a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and three professional references. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will give priority to those submitted by August 15, 2021.  The cover letter should discuss the applicant’s experience working within an integrated strategy devoted to building power in communities, and also discuss which part of the job as described will pose the greatest challenge.  Materials should be addressed to jobs@civilrightscorps.org. Please include your name and “Attorney” in the subject line.

Civil Rights Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We greatly value a diverse workforce and management team and an inclusive culture. Civil Rights Corps is committed to promoting an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its clients and staff.