Counsel/Senior Counsel

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

Job Title: Counsel/Senior Counsel

Location: Washington, DC

Job Type: Full-Time

Union Affiliation: Union

Accountable to: Acting Co-Chief Counsel

About the Role:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

Responsible for providing legal support throughout the organization, including in litigation and internal legal counsel, the Senior Counsel will have ability to address complex civil rights challenges that define the current era, to lead and assist with litigation, and to provide legal advice to Lawyers’ Committee leadership and staff.

The Counsel’s primary supervisor will be the Acting Co-Chief Counsel. Litigation and other legal matters within the purview of a Project Director may be supervised by the Project Director, at the direction of the Acting Co-Chief Counsel. Much of the Counsel’s work will be on investigations and litigation but the Counsel also may work on public education or public policy matters, and on matters requiring internal legal advice.

What You’ll be Doing:Responsibilities of the Senior Counsel include but are not limited to:

• Participate in investigations, litigation and other matters in ways that expand the organization’s current capacity by providing support, where needed, to the Lawyers’ Committee’s various Projects.
• Develop investigations into potential legal violations on behalf of the Lawyers’ Committee’s clients.
• Litigate all aspects of matters from inception through conclusion along with Lawyers’ Committee staff, firm co-counsel and nonprofit partner co-counsel.
• Engage in public education and public policy efforts supporting the Lawyers’ Committee work, including making presentations and attending meetings with various stakeholders and drafting written material, such as reports.
• Provide legal analysis and advice as requested concerning the Lawyers’ Committee’s operations, including questions related to compliance with governing laws, such as lobbying requirements and limitations on the activities of 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Provide guidance as requested on legal issues applicable to the organization’s practice, such as the application of certain legal privileges and rules of confidentiality.
• Assist with the development of training and professional development opportunities on legal topics for Lawyers’ Committee staff.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:

• At least 4 years of legal experience, including litigation experience, for Counsel position and 9 years of such experience for Senior Counsel position.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice and experience working on civil rights issues.
• Experience litigating complex civil cases, including writing legal memoranda and briefs; engaging in written discovery; and taking and defending depositions.
• Experience litigating complex civil cases, including writing legal memoranda and briefs. engaging in written discovery; and taking and defending depositions.
• Active DC Bar Membership or ability to waive into the DC Bar.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Organized and adept at time management.
• Ability to manage a varied docket of legal work.
• Ability to work constructively with multiple sets of partners and collaborators, including Lawyers’ Committee co-counsel and staff, law firm co-counsel, and other civil society organizations.
• Ability to develop, maintain and enhance relationships with diverse groups and coalitions.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Comfort working in a diverse environment.
• Ability to travel for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other status protected under law.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

The Lawyers’ Committee offers competitive compensation for our exempt attorney positions, with salaries ranging from $76,000 to $165,000. The specific salary within this range is determined based on the candidate’s experience, including the timing of their law degree attainment. Generally, candidates who obtained their law degree more recently will start at the lower end of the scale. Candidates with more extensive experience or those who obtained their law degree earlier may be eligible for salaries towards the higher end of the scale. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent compensation structure that reflects the value and experience of our attorneys.

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