Director of Litigation

Our Mission

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, we seek to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. We believe that in order to create meaningful political participation and leadership, we must have access to basic means of survival and safety from violence.

Director of Litigation

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is hiring a Director of Litigation to support our Direct Services Team (DST) in providing zealous advocacy for our clients and communities, which include low-income TGNCI people of color, including immigrants and those who are or have been incarcerated. The Director of Litigation will be one of two attorney positions in the collective. The Director of Litigation will, along with the Director of Legal Services, practice movement lawyering as they ensure members’ survival needs are met through connection to direct services representation, while also using impact litigation to remove barriers and change policy and institutions. The position is full-time offering some remote work along with COVID safety-informed practices.

The Director of Litigation, along with the Directors of Legal Services and Client Services, will be responsible for the administration and oversight of SRLP’s legal program. The Director of Litigation at SRLP will lead the organization’s litigation strategy with a focus on civil defense, civil rights violations, and class action lawsuits impacting TGNCI communities. The role includes advocating for TGNCI individuals in custody, addressing conditions of confinement such as healthcare access, housing transfers, and safety, while ensuring compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The Director of Litigation will also support movement lawyering efforts, collaborating with grassroots organizations and communities to advance systemic change. In addition, the position involves spearheading public education, Know Your Rights trainings, and policy implementation to safeguard the rights of TGNCI people. The Director of Litigation will report to all members of DST, Staff, and Collective. The Director of Litigation will be expected to maintain a small caseload.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Litigation & Legal Advocacy

• Lead and manage litigation focused on civil defense, civil rights violations, and class action lawsuits impacting incarcerated TGNCI individuals.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies to address systemic injustices faced by TGNCI people, with a focus on conditions of confinement including denial of gender-affirming healthcare, housing safety, and protection from violence.
• Pursue class action lawsuits to address widespread violations of civil rights, particularly those impacting TGNCI individuals in institutional settings.
• Ensure the enforcement of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and other directives that protect transgender people in custody from harassment, assault, and discrimination.
• Collaborate with external legal teams, law firms, and community-based organizations on high-impact litigation aimed at advancing the rights of incarcerated TGNCI people.

Movement Lawyering & Policy Advocacy

• Engage in movement lawyering, working with SRLP membership and impacted communities to develop legal strategies that align with broader movements for justice.
• Support advocacy for the development and implementation of policies that improve conditions for TGNCI individuals, particularly those in custody, focusing on healthcare access, safety, and housing rights.
• Collaborate with advocacy groups, policymakers, and government agencies to influence policy reform and ensure the protection of TGNCI individuals’ rights in prisons and other detention facilities.
• Provide legal guidance and contribute to legislative efforts aimed at systemic reform, particularly in areas related to criminal justice and civil rights.

Public Education & Know Your Rights Training

• Lead Know Your Rights workshops and public education initiatives designed to inform TGNCI individuals, particularly those in custody, about their legal rights and protections.
• Develop educational materials and legal resources tailored to TGNCI communities, with a focus on healthcare, safety, and housing rights in confinement.
• Train service providers, advocates, and legal professionals on best practices for supporting TGNCI people in custody, particularly around issues of safety, dignity, and healthcare access.

Supervision and Leadership

• Supervise law student interns, fellows, volunteers and consultants on DST, ensuring high-quality case management and strategic advocacy.
• Collaborate with SRLP’s Movement Building Team to align litigation with the organization’s broader mission and goals to remove barriers to TGNCI liberation.
• Provide mentorship and training to other staff involved in SRLP’s litigation efforts.
• Manage relationships with legal organizations, law firms, and external partners to maximize impact and resources for litigation and advocacy efforts

Areas of Shared Responsibility and Staff Coordination

• Participate in the Collective Development Team’s work, including:
  • Organizing board meetings and annual collective retreats.
  • Improving and maintaining our infrastructure and capacity for work to continue in a sustainable and non-hierarchical way.
  • Increase the participation, decision-making, and leadership of low-income trans people and trans people of color in organizational governance.
• Contribute to short- and long-term organizational planning and strategy.
• Participate in Collective-wide responsibilities including attending monthly meetings, annual retreats, co-supervision, and team meetings.
• Coordinate staff and collective training to increase skills and address growth areas.
• Coordinate development and communication of emergency and safety planning protocols.
• Coordinate office cleaning (shared responsibility among all staff).

Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of litigation experience, with a focus on criminal defense, civil rights, or class action lawsuits.
• Demonstrated experience advocating for TGNCI individuals, particularly those in custody or facing institutional violence and discrimination.
• Strong background in movement lawyering and working alongside grassroots organizations and social justice movements.
• Deep knowledge of issues affecting incarcerated TGNCI people, including healthcare access, housing safety, and PREA protections.
• Proven experience leading class action lawsuits and high-impact litigation efforts aimed at systemic reform.
• Commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice, with a deep understanding of the intersections between criminal justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in public speaking, community education, and policy advocacy.
• Experience working on policy reform and advocacy in the context of criminal justice, civil rights law, or prisoner’s rights.
• Familiarity with the legal challenges and rights of LGBTQ+ people in detention facilities and institutional settings.
• Prior experience in a nonprofit or grassroots legal organization, with a focus on community-driven legal strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish or another language;
• Bar admission in the Southern and/or Eastern District of New York;
• Experience litigating in federal court;
• Experience in criminal defense;
• Experience with legal strategic planning;
• Experience working in non-hierarchical settings;
• Knowledge and practice in collective decision-making processes.

Hours and Compensation:

This position is a full-time, salaried position with medical, dental and optical benefits as well as three weeks paid vacation and professional development opportunities. SRLP works in a hybrid working environment. 40 hours/week, some evenings and weekends as necessary. $125,000/year. Consistent with our values as a collective, all staff receive salaries based on the same hourly rate.

How to Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and three references. Applications should be sent to the Hiring Committee at hiring@srlp.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls please. We will only contact applicants we intend to interview. SRLP is an equal opportunity employer. Transgender folks and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.