Senior Staff Attorney

About For The People

For The People (FTP) works with prosecutors, system leaders, and community members to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences. We lead the implementation of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing, a law that allows prosecuting agencies to reevaluate past sentences and facilitate prison release where further confinement is not in the interest of justice. We work with elected prosecutors to reevaluate past sentences, and where it can be shown that a current sentence is no longer in the interest of justice, we support the prosecuting agencies through the resentencing and prison release process.

We support prosecution offices in advancing PIR legislative efforts; launching Resentencing Units; providing training and technical assistance during onboarding and implementation; and forging partnerships with community leaders and reentry providers. We also support incarcerated people, their loved ones, and community-based organizations in preparing requests for resentencing and guidance on best practices on how to humanize stories for law enforcement audiences. We are working to support prosecuting agencies in jurisdictions across the country to enact and implement resentencing policies and forging community partnerships to strengthen community trust. For more information, please visit www.fortheppl.org.

About the Position

For The People is looking for a full-time Senior Staff Attorney to support the needs of our growing California and national legal operation. Reporting to the Managing Attorney, the Senior Staff Attorney will partner closely with members of the Legal Team to execute the core work of our organization - safely releasing people from prison, reuniting families, and serving as a trusted ally with prosecutors across the country seeking to reevaluate past sentences.

The ideal candidate will have prosecutorial experience at either the state or federal level. Also critical is the ability to: manage internal and external matters in a fast-paced environment; effectively collaborate with a growing legal team that partners with pro-bono attorneys, law students, and legal clinics; and work with incarcerated people, and their loved ones to prepare cases for review by the DA. This position requires strong critical thinking, project management skills, and attention to detail. This position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a collaborative team that is pioneering a new pathway to freedom for people serving excessive prison sentences and making fundamental and lasting cultural changes within prosecutor offices.

Candidates who have prosecutorial trial experience within the criminal justice system or have been directly system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works as a County Lead responsible for supporting the assessment and intake of potential cases, overseeing the efficient processing of cases from initiation to completion, and providing timely, comprehensive responses to DAO inquiries. This role also involves collaborating with the Managing Attorney to ensure cases are progressing smoothly and deadlines are met by both FTP and DAO partners, troubleshooting and offering additional support to DAOs as needed, and ensuring the full implementation of Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing, including policy development, training, resource allocation, and fostering autonomous operations.
• Analyze and synthesize case files, department of corrections records, and supporting documents needed for case presentations
• Collaborate with incarcerated persons and their loved ones and support networks to prepare cases for presentation to DAs.
• Prepare cases for presentation to DAs in California and nationally, and effectively present those cases.
• Coordinate meetings and respond to inquiries regarding cases and resources received from stakeholders, including community partners, government agencies, and incarcerated persons.
• Lead and manage projects and special initiatives by coordinating with teams across the organization (e.g., Legal, Reentry, Communications) to ensure effective collaboration and support. Facilitate the development of external partnerships and play an active role in their cultivation. Create and develop assets, such as toolkits, and design and deliver both internal and external training programs.
• Gather data and metrics on caseworks and initiatives for analysis and reporting to Leadership, Board of Directors, funders, and other key stakeholders.
• Conduct research related to these initiatives and produce publications pertaining to them, such as articles or white papers.
• Regularly report progress on goals, tactics, follow-through, roadblocks, and strategy to the Managing Attorney and Executive Leadership.
• Coordinate with the Reentry & Reunification Team to develop reentry plans, prepare for case presentations to DAs, and develop strategies for post-release success.
• Support the organization’s various efforts with legal research and writing, including motions for resentencing, amicus briefs, research memos, and legislative analysis.
• Support pro-bono, law school, and volunteer programs as required.
• Supervise the work of legal interns, fellows, and legal support staff as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A driving passion for FTP’s mission to reduce the number of people serving excessive sentences across the nation, end institutional racism, and restore human dignity to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and all who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
• A JD from an accredited law school.
• Current membership in good standing in at least one State Bar. CA, MN, or IL preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years in a prosecutorial role at either the state or federal level, is preferred.
• Experience working in a team environment, with a diverse group of organizations, in a culturally competent manner, across a wide range of sectors.
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of our growing organization.
• Ability to effectively manage time and multiple and competing deadlines and ensure the completion of projects on schedule.
• Effectiveness as a motivated self-starter with the ability to support others in their effort to prioritize, plan, and manage projects, and ultimately achieve overall deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to inspire confidence and trust, as well as convey diplomacy, objectivity, and good judgment when engaging with a broad array of stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle multiple projects at once.
• A strong working proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Salesforce, Asana, Box, Zoom, or equivalents.
• Fluency in information management and case management software programs preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide group of stakeholders including incarcerated people and their support networks, prosecutors, community leaders and advocates, government officials, defense attorneys, law students, and prison officials.
• Fluency in a language in addition to English, particularly Spanish, is considered a plus.

Location

We believe there is great value in working and collaborating face-to-face; therefore, our preference is to have the Senior Staff Attorney located in California (Bay Area). We are open to considering flexible arrangements for the right candidate, with a preference for applicants located in Minnesota or Illinois.

Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity Statement

FTP works every day to serve justice, and that begins with our team. We are inclusive. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives creativity, understanding, and effectiveness, so we are continuing to build a culture where difference is not only valued but sought after. We strive to create a team that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Request for Accommodations

If you require accommodations to review and/or apply for this position, please contact For The People at info@fortheppl.org and appropriate accommodations will be provided.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States to be considered for this role.

For The People is an Equal Opportunity Employer and wants our staff to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals. We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply.