Economic Justice Staff Attorney
The National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) seeks to hire an attorney with a strong commitment to racial and social justice and 3-6 years’ experience to engage in impact litigation and advocacy on an expanding range of civil rights and economic justice issues. Candidates with workers’ rights experience and proficiency in Spanish or other non-English languages are especially encouraged to apply.
NCLEJ advances the cause of economic justice for low-income families, individuals, and communities across the country, using ground-breaking impact litigation, policy advocacy, and support for grassroots organizing. We fight discrimination against women, people of color, immigrants and people with disabilities and work to build systems that provide economic security and full participation in society to all.
Our current practice areas include: (1) improving and protecting access to critical safety net programs; (2) protecting and expanding the rights of lower wage workers to decent wages and a safe and fair workplace; (3) enforcing the civil rights of low-income people with disabilities; and (4) challenging abusive debt collection and wealth extraction practices that undermine economic security. We litigate extensively in federal and state courts across the country, typically as lead counsel in class actions, and we partner with grassroots and community-based organizations, other legal organizations, and the private bar.
Qualifications for the Position
- 3-6 years’ hands-on experience handling major impact litigation, including drafting complaints and briefs, all phases of the discovery process, settlement negotiations, evidentiary hearings, trials and appeals.
- Significant experience with non-litigation advocacy such as policy advocacy, communications, support of grassroots organizing and/or coalition work.
- Demonstrated ability to develop new cases and areas of advocacy.
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues and clients from a great diversity of backgrounds.
- Commitment to racial and social justice and NCLEJ’s mission.
- Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
- JD Degree and admission to the Bar of at least one state
Vaccination Requirement: To help ensure that NCLEJ continues to operate in the safest manner possible, NCLEJ requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Salary and Fringe Benefits
Salary is comparable to that of similar organizations in New York City. Under NCLEJ’s formal salary scale, the salary range for an attorney with 3-6 years’ experience is $69,600-$79,700. Fringe benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and long-term and short-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, family and medical leave; employer contributions to a 403(b) plan; flexible spending plans; an employee assistance plan; and generous holiday schedules.
Applying for the Position
Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three employment references to attorney@nclej.org. Please include your first and last name in the subject line. In your cover letter, please describe one or more projects, such as impact litigation or major policy advocacy, where you took a leadership role in launching the project. The position will remain open until filled.
NCLEJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and people from other historically disenfranchised communities to apply. NCLEJ does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital or parental status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
NCLEJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying, please contact Leah Lotto at 212-633-6967 or lotto@nclej.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
