Senior Counsel

SENIOR COUNSEL

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, a non-profit and non-partisan organization working to advance racial equity and economic opportunity, seeks an experienced attorney to serve in a Senior Counsel position to work principally in our Midwest Voting Rights Program. The attorney in this position will utilize policy advocacy, litigation, and other creative strategies through a community-driven advocacy model. The Senior Counsel will report to the Director of Midwest Voting Rights Program, and the Senior Counsel will supervise a post-graduate fellow/Program Counsel as well as potentially a program coordinator. The attorney will join an integrated and collaborative legal team that is focused on core practice areas including Voting Rights, Education Equity, Equitable Community Development and Housing, and Economic Justice. The Senior Counsel will be expected to collaborate as needed with colleagues to advance our work in other core practice areas, including equitable community development and housing, education equity, and economic justice.

The Senior Counsel position is an exciting opportunity for an attorney who can bring vision, talent, and enthusiasm at a time when aggressive civil rights advocacy is needed. Candidates are required to have at least 8 years of combined relevant experience as a policy advocate, litigator, and community advocate in the field of civil rights and racial justice. In addition, impact litigation experience is required.

Founded in 1969, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is Chicago’s preeminent non-profit civil rights legal organization. Our mission explicitly focuses on racial equity and we collaborate with grassroots organizations to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. We provide legal representation through in-house staff and long-standing partnerships with over 30 member law firms. Located in downtown Chicago, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee has a 20+ member staff and a $2.9 million annual budget with a mix of funding sources.

Key Responsibilities of Position

Policy

• Provide policy and advocacy analysis and support to coalitions and community partners seeking to address systemic barriers to voting, including drafting and analyzing legislation. Current legislative initiatives include re-enfranchisement of people in prison and state voting rights protections, as well as advocacy against unfair voter restrictions.
• Produce publications, know-your-rights materials, fact sheets, and blog posts.
• Conduct presentations to a variety of stakeholders, including engaging with media.

Litigation

• Provide representation to community organizations working to address disenfranchisement, applying an explicit racial justice lens.
• Research potential legal challenges to laws, policies, and procedures which disproportionately harm voters in disenfranchised communities.
• Engage in litigation challenging systemic barriers to voting and representation.
• Recruit, retain, and manage pro bono relationships with law firms.
• Collaborate with colleagues on litigation and advocacy to advance goals in our core practice areas.

Community advocacy & outreach

• Conduct community outreach, training, and education events.
• Develop relationships with coalitions and community partners, advise and support ongoing advocacy efforts, and collaborate with community partners on campaigns and initiatives for structural change.
• Represent clients and community organizations in legal matters involving civil rights and racial justice.
• Provide brief advice and legal opinions to community partners in Illinois and Indiana.

Election Protection

• Recruit, train, and deploy pro bono attorneys to assist voters in person and over the phone in federal, state, and local elections, including project management tasks associated with this pro bono program.
• Collaborate with election officials to resolve problems, escalating advocacy when needed.
• Conduct jail voter protection initiatives and other partnerships with incarcerated and returning community members.

Qualifications:

• Law degree and admission to the Illinois Bar or, alternatively, admission to the bar of another state with requirement to be licensed in Illinois within one year of hire date;
• At least 8 years of combined experience as a policy advocate, litigator, and community advocate in the field of civil rights and racial justice;
• Familiarity with voting rights issues, including an understanding of how civil rights laws can be used to address systemic barriers;
• Impact litigation experience;
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and community-driven advocacy;
• Experience working with community organizations and coalitions;
• Experience supervising attorneys, legal interns, and/or program personnel;
• Cross-cultural competencies and self-awareness around issues of power, privilege, and difference;
• Excellent writing and communications skills;
• Strong analytical skills, with attention to details and accuracy;
• Excellent people skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and individuals;
• High degree of flexibility and willingness to work on a broad range of legal issues, ability to multi-task, and significant initiative as a self-starter;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively in a fast-paced environment;
• Skills in a language other than English are valued.

Salary and Benefits: Salary range is $87,500 -$100,000 per year depending on experience. Generous benefits include PTO and paid leave; health, dental, and vision plans; employer-provided life and disability insurance; and a retirement savings plan. Please note that we offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, with a requirement of one day per week in the office on a designated anchor day along with the option to work up to 4 days remotely.

To Apply: Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and 3 references to: Elesha Jackson, Director of Administration, ejackson@clccrul.org. No telephone inquiries please. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by November 18, 2024, to receive full and timely consideration.

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prioritize equity and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring, and we value candidates with lived experience in the communities we serve. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, service in the military, or other identity factor.