Attorney

The Public Interest Law Center, a nationally renowned 56-year-old nonprofit, uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure access to fundamental resources and services. Our practice areas include employment, environmental justice, healthcare, housing, public education, and voting.

The Law Center is seeking applications for a full-time attorney to work on our major initiatives across multiple project areas, including housing and environmental justice. Reporting to the Legal Director, the attorney will be responsible for all aspects of litigation, including identifying high impact cases, developing legal theories, and conducting factual investigation, research, discovery, trial, appeals, and enforcement. They are expected to stay informed about the challenges facing the diverse communities in which we work and to identify high-impact litigation solutions where appropriate.

The attorney also will be responsible for developing and implementing a wide range of additional strategies to achieve clients’ goals, including advocacy, organizing, community education, and coalition building.

Candidates should have at least at least seven years’ litigation experience. While none of the following qualities is by itself a requirement, the best candidates will demonstrate:

• excellent analytical abilities and well-developed legal research and technical skills;
• demonstrated excellence in written work, including legal briefs and non-legal publications;
• trial or other dispute resolution experience;
• experience in developing complex civil litigation or legal strategies;
• initiative, creativity, and an entrepreneurial approach;
• strong organization skills, sound workload management, persistence, and excellent follow-up skills;
• experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing poverty, with disabilities, with limited English proficiency, and with criminal histories;
• collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues, clients, and co-counsel;
• familiarity with communications and development initiatives, including speaking with press and crafting messages for external partners; and
• enthusiasm for our mission.

The position is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Law Center has a hybrid workweek, which consists of three days in the office – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – for all staff, with an option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For lawyers with at least seven years’ experience, the salary is anticipated to be at least $85,000 per year. The Law Center offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; retirement plan with employer match; ample paid time off and holidays; paid parental leave; and paid family and medical leave.

The Public Interest Law Center is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are eager to receive applications from people of all diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to, people of color, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Law Center invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our organization and legal practice.

The Law Center is committed to protecting the safety of children with whom it comes in contact.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, short legal writing sample of no more than ten pages, and contact information for at least three professional references to hiring@pubintlaw.org.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who apply by February 21, 2025.

The Public Interest Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.