Civil Rights Litigation Staff Attorney (Two-Year Fellowship)

***COVID vaccination required. Exemption requests considered on a case-by-case basis. ***

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (“AAJC”) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.  For 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nation’s capital – fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, DC, Advancing Justice | AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation. With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.   

Title:              Civil Rights Litigation Staff Attorney

Reports to:     Director and Assistant Director of Litigation

Status:            Full-time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week

Salary:           $75,000-$90,000

Term:             Two years

This is a unionized organization, and this position is in the collective bargaining unit.

Position Summary: The Civil Rights Litigation Staff Attorney (“Staff Attorney”) will be responsible for furthering Advancing Justice-AAJC’s impact litigation and amicus practice. Key areas of recent activity have included immigration, voting rights, census, language access, education, and technology/telecommunications. The Staff Attorney will report to the Director and the Assistant Director of Litigation and will also work with senior staff and the executive team to strategically implement and execute AAJC’s litigation program. The Staff Attorney will also work with counterparts at Advancing Justice affiliations to implement our legal advocacy strategies.

The ideal Staff Attorney will be a quick learner, creative thinker, and have a demonstrated interest in civil and human rights at the national, state, and/or local level(s). An interest in litigation is required. The Staff Attorney must be able to analyze and make recommendations on legal issues affecting Asian American communities, such as immigration, voting rights, census, and education. Experience working with diverse coalitions is a plus. The Staff Attorney will work closely with a diverse range of constituents, including legal and policy staff at the Advancing Justice affiliates, pro bono counsel, and other local and national groups. The Staff Attorney must have excellent writing and other communication skills to bring diverse coalitions together and to ensure alignment with litigation and policy strategies across many interested parties.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan and Strategize Activities Related to Litigation

• Assist the Litigation Team with the implementation of a proactive litigation strategy for AAJC, including engaging in amicus and impact litigation opportunities that support its programmatic work and mission.
• Be willing and interested in litigating the full range of AAJC’s impact litigation portfolio.
• Assist in developing new impact litigation cases, including legal and non-legal research and investigating potential claims.
• Draft full range of litigation-related materials, including but not limited to preparing complaints, internal case memos, merits briefs, amicus briefs, and discovery requests.
• Participate in discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Support AAJC’s policy leads in developing and implementing strategies to advance the organization’s policy agenda on issues including but not limited to voting, census, education equity (higher education and K-12), immigration and naturalization, national security, anti-racial profiling, and incidents of hate.
• Assist in creating and implementing multi-disciplinary strategies, using litigation, organizing, community education, and policy advocacy.
• Monitor and track the dockets of the Supreme Court and other federal and state courts on emerging cases that concern the Asian American community.
• Facilitate coordination with pro bono counsel, coalition partners, and affiliate partners.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Team to develop and implement strategic communications plans related to litigation issues.
• Work collaboratively with the Community Engagement Team to develop and implement Community Partners’ Network strategies, tactics, and activities on litigation issues as appropriate. 
• Travel as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Develop, Implement and Maintain External Relationships and Partnerships 

• Build and maintain relationships with legal and advocacy groups within the civil rights and Asian American communities.
• Develop outreach and educational materials to promote AAJC’s litigation and policy work.
• Make public speaking appearances as required or requested.

Fundraising

• Assist with fundraising, grants, and relationships with funders and supporters as requested.

General AAJC Roles

• Live and exhibit the Values of AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and community partners.
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of AAJC are implemented.
• Participate in and lead decision-making processes, understand outcomes, and be accountable for decisions made in or affecting their area.
• Understand the values and principles of AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities.
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad hoc committees as requested.
• Attend and contribute to AAJC and Board of Directors’ meetings as requested.
• Be available to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

• J.D. degree from accredited law school and member in good standing with a state bar association.
• At least one year of legal experience.
• Clerkship experience a plus.
• Demonstrated interest in civil rights, including voting, immigration, and/or education equity preferred.
• Fluency in a foreign language desired.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities 

• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills; the ability to investigate and analyze complex legal and factual issues; and familiarity with policy-based legal arguments.
• Knowledge of civil rights statutes and case law, particularly as they pertain to Asian Americans.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and balance competing assignments is required.
• Must be able to work independently and successfully complete multiple overlapping projects without day-to-day supervision.
• Familiarity with litigation in both federal and state court.

Application Process

Send resume with references, short writing sample (not more than ten pages) and a cover letter to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Applications with all four items will be considered.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.