Senior Staff Attorney (Criminal Litigation)

About PJI

The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.

PJI moves life-changing work:

Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.

We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse.

The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Summary of Position

PJI’s legal department has a track record of securing landmark wins in state and federal court, including the recent Ramos v. Louisiana U.S. Supreme Court decision. This opening is for a Senior Staff Attorney in our Strategic Criminal Litigation department, which aims to use direct criminal representation and related advocacy to make broad, systemic change in the criminal justice system. The SCL team focuses on excessive sentencing, prosecutorial accountability, and racism and inequity, with the ultimate goal of bringing as many people home to their families and communities as possible. Senior criminal defense attorneys represent clients in all procedural aspects of criminal cases and will serve as co- and lead- counsel in a robust docket.

Who We Are Looking For

This work is hard on every level. PJI optimistically and strategically fights for a better future and requires staff who are committed to one another and to people who are incarcerated or otherwise harmed by the criminal legal system.

PJI is committed to hiring smart, talented, skilled people who have directly experienced the issues that we fight against. People who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, working class, LGBTQ+, and people of color, particularly Black, are all strongly encouraged to apply.

You will be a great fit if you are eager to build a social movement lawyering practice, assist with case and campaign development, and individual case and long-term strategy. Staff attorneys at PJI are committed to an ethos that our clients and their families are valuable, have answers, and should be consulted and heard, both because recognizing and respecting our clients’ humanity is central to this work, and because what we learn from our clients impacts the strength of evidence and influences litigation strategy.

Responsibilities of the Position

The Senior Staff Attorney will:

• Serve as lead counsel on active post-conviction cases, and co-counsel on others
• Contribute to post-conviction litigation, from investigation through resolution
• Draft legal pleadings, including motions, memorandums, post-conviction petitions, writs and other documents needed
• Represent clients in court
• Maintain high standard for a client-centered practice, including frequent visits to prisons
• Contribute to designing and implementing investigation plans
• Work in a team environment with shared goals and values
• Other duties and responsibilities as required to meet PJI’s needs.

Supervision Responsibilities

This position can supervise interns, investigators, legal fellows, and other attorneys.

Key Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to the Louisiana Bar preferred, or eligibility and willingness to sit for the next Louisiana Bar
• Has served as either:
  • lead counsel on at least five felony trials or one full post-conviction evidentiary hearings;
  • or
  • second chair or co-counsel on at least ten felony trials or two full post-conviction evidentiary hearings
• At least a year of experience supervising other attorneys.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to think creatively and find the possibility in what has not been tried yet, which often requires extensive research and organization of a vast amount of information
• Humility, with a willingness to research and grow in response to changes or challenges

Exceptional candidates will have:

• Track record of strong client advocacy
• Experience working on state or federal post-conviction cases
• Experience with direct criminal appeals
• Confidence in creative litigation and advocacy

Union representation: The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) represents eligible employees at PJI. This role is a bargaining unit position.

Deadline: Application deadline is EOD January 17, 2025.