Staff Attorney

Corporate Accountability Staff Attorney

DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

LOCATION: Chicago, IL (non-negotiable), 3 days in office, 2 days virtual

Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) is a legal non-profit organization that unleashes the creative potential of the law to protect people and the planet from corporate abuse. We develop new and under-utilized strategies to hold companies accountable for harming workers and communities across international supply chains. We work with impacted communities and use creative processes and mindsets, including design thinking, to build a more just and equitable world.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CAL is seeking an early-career (1-3 years post-JD experience) attorney who is comfortable with a diversity of tasks, and enjoys working in a collaborative and creative environment. The Staff Attorney will be an active member of our dynamic team, reporting to the Senior Staff Attorney and Executive Director. CAL attorneys develop and oversee a portfolio of corporate accountability projects related to human rights, labor, environment and climate across international supply chains. We are a consensus-based organization, where every staff member has a say in major organizational decisions. Attorneys work closely with the Program Officer, Staff Attorneys, and Executive Director on a range of substantive projects, participate in legal design processes, and are involved in all facets of the organization. CAL is a “stick not carrot” organization: we fight for binding outcomes through regulation and litigation, not corporate engagement or voluntary corporate social responsibility. The ideal candidate is highly organized, self-motivated, and passionate about human rights and corporate accountability. This position is based at CAL’s office in Chicago.

Corporate Accountability Lab is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices. We actively encourage BIPOC, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people to apply for all positions. We also encourage individuals with personal connections and/or cultural knowledge of the geographies where CAL works – including West Africa, South America, the Caribbean, or South Asia – to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Staff Attorney will develop and oversee a portfolio of corporate accountability projects related to human rights and labor abuses across international supply chains, and will assist the organization in exploring innovative civil litigation ideas and developing new strategies for human rights and environmental accountability.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with a broad range of tasks, from conducting comparative legal research and collaborating with litigators and advocates, to visiting remote communities and navigating challenges to strategy implementation as they arise. Specific projects will be based on experience, cultural connection, and language skills. For more information about CAL’s projects, read about our work here.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. or equivalent degree, ideally from a US law school;
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and corporate accountability work;
• At least 1 year legal experience in public interest work, ideally human rights, environmental, labor, or a related field;
• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Legal authorization to work in the United States;
• Ability to work from Chicago (in-person Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; virtual Mondays and Fridays);
• Strong legal research and writing skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to human rights and corporate accountability;
• A demonstrated ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including impacted communities from a trauma-informed perspective, partners, and advocates from diverse backgrounds;
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills;
• Willingness to help, follow through, and attention to detail;
• Ability to be flexible and take initiative;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment; willingness to work both individually and as a member of a team; analytical and creative problem-solving skills;
• A sense of humor and willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in a US state;
• Experience with worker-driven or community-driven models;
• Familiarity with movement lawyering or social movement work more broadly;
• Familiarity with design thinking concepts;
• Familiarity with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, human rights due diligence legislation, and developments in corporate accountability civil litigation globally;
• Knowledge of climate change litigation or climate change movement work;
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, French or Haitian Creole (Spanish language skills highly preferred);
• Familiarity or experience with consensus decision-making processes.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The Staff Attorney’s salary is $60,000- $65,000/year, commensurate with experience. CAL covers 80% of the cost of health, dental, and vision insurance for staff and dependents, as well as the full cost of a life insurance policy, plus a 3% non-elective annual IRA contribution. CAL actively encourages work-life balance through flexible working hours, unlimited paid time off (a minimum fourteen days vacation is required annually), and a child and pet-friendly office. We offer 3 months of paid family leave, and a 3 month paid sabbatical after 5 years. The office is closed for thirteen holidays, as well as the last week of the year. Additionally, staff are encouraged to take off for observed religious holidays.

PREFERRED START DATE: January 15, 2025

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit your cover letter, resume, list of three references with contact information, and a short writing sample in one PDF document. Email the application to info@corpaccountabilitylab.org with the subject line “Staff Attorney Application.” Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

English - native speaker or fluent in reading, writing, and speaking

Spanish - preferred not required, fluent in reading, writing and speaking

Haitian Creole - preferred not required, fluent in speaking

Portuguese - preferred not required, fluent in reading, writing and speaking