Attorney - National Parole Transformation Project

Summary:

The attorney in this role will work to support the National Parole Transformation Project (NPTP), a grant-funded project that builds upon MJC’s past parole-related work to create lasting social and legal change in post-conviction supervision. The Attorney will assist the Senior Counsel and other project staff to challenge parole systems feeding mass incarceration, working with MJC’s in-house parole experts, local counsel, and coalitions to launch and litigate class action litigation in several different jurisdictions across the country.

The Attorney carries out responsibilities related to all aspects of case development and management, including effective client communication, case investigation, legal research and writing, motion practice, pretrial discovery, and depositions. The Attorney also prepares for evidentiary hearings and trials and engages in settlement and post-trial work, as needed, and supports community-based advocacy and education efforts related to parole.

This is a two-year grant-funded position expected to conclude on or around January 1, 2027.

Who We Are:

MJC is a national nonprofit civil rights law firm. We represent people who have been harmed by America’s criminal legal system, seeking to vindicate their rights, elevate their story, and hold people with power accountable. We do this primarily through cutting-edge litigation and advocacy across the country, on end-to-end issues in the criminal legal system, from policing, to prosecutorial discretion, to rights of indigent defendants, to mass incarceration, to prison conditions, to wrongful convictions and the death penalty. For more information on our work, visit www.macarthurjustice.org.

The criminal legal system disproportionately harms people of color, people from low-income communities, people who were formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We strongly encourage people who identify within these and other communities underrepresented in the legal profession to apply. All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients, co-workers, and community partners who come from different backgrounds and experiences.

Essential Job Functions:

Litigation

• Identify systemic problems in the criminal legal system, evaluate the propriety of using litigation and legal claims to address the problem, and identify potential plaintiffs and witnesses;
• Apply a client-centered approach to litigation, including through effective client outreach and communication to ensure clients are informed about the status of their case;
• Conduct efficient and accurate legal research and writing, and draft persuasive and well-written pleadings and legal documents;
• Conduct discovery, including document review, written discovery, and depositions;
• Engage in hearing and trial preparation and presentation;
• Support settlement efforts and mediation, where appropriate;
• Provide case-related direction and oversight for more junior team members, such as legal fellows, interns, and/or clinical students.

Communications & External Collaboration

• Work in collaboration with the Communications Team to share project and case-related work and support the organization’s communications priorities;
• Engage with coalitions and other stakeholders;
• Collaborate with other project staff to plan and implement a national NPTP convening;
• Support Know Your Rights trainings and other educational programming;
• Build and sustain relationships with partners in organizations that are connected to the organization’s work.

Internal Strategic Engagement and Support

• Attend and participate in internal strategic discussions, either at the organizational or office level;
• Support internal initiatives and needs, including organizational or office functions related to development, technology, and the administration of intern or clinical programs.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s Degree and J.D. required

Skills and Experience

• Five (5) years of trial-level litigation experience preferred;
• Federal civil rights litigation experience, including identifying systemic problems and developing novel legal claims strongly preferred;
• Energetic self-starter with a passion for the MacArthur Justice Center mission and a desire to effectuate change in the criminal legal system;
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to follow through on assignments independently, manage several projects and deadlines at once, and be flexible in the event of changing priorities and deadlines;
• Excellent legal research, writing, and editing skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills, including with clients, supervising attorney and/or office director, collaborating team members, external co-counsel, opposing counsel, and community members;
• Very close attention to detail and a commitment to completing tasks quickly and thoroughly;
• Ability to work creatively and effectively as part of a cohesive team to develop new legal initiatives;
• Dedication to zealous advocacy and building client-centered relationships;
• Experience using computer systems and databases and willingness to learn internal programs;
• Meticulous record and time-keeping skills;
• Ability to create a working environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming, and a willingness to honor the diverse experiences and perspectives of MJC staff and clients;
• Prior experience working on social justice campaigns and/or with justice system involved people a plus;
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

License and Certifications:

Admission to the Illinois state bar, or eligibility for admission upon hiring.

Technology:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Products, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and Outlook required
• Proficiency with Adobe Pro and case management and trial presentation software, such as Relativity, CaseMap, and Clio preferred

Travel: Regular travel 1-3 times per month, for court appearances, depositions, and client meetings including visits to jail/prison/detention facilities. Additional occasional travel for organizational Staff Retreats and Board Presentations.

Location

MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and currently requires two days in the office each week. The Attorney must reside within commuting distance to MJC’s Chicago, Illinois office.