Counsel
Justice Action Center (JAC) is a start-up social justice organization that combines the power of storytelling with impact litigation to bring justice to immigrant communities. JAC’s work includes Supreme Court campaigns, including the successful campaign to defend the Biden administration’s decision to end the cruel Remain in Mexico policy; authorship of a Litigation Tracker website and newsletter to keep abreast of anti-immigrant lawsuits filed by states; and active impact litigation throughout the country on behalf of immigrant communities. Our impact cases include a lawsuit challenging the human rights abuses perpetrated against thousands of Haitian migrants seeking asylum in Del Rio, Texas in September 2021; litigation efforts to ensure fair treatment for children seeking safety in the United States; and intervening in a state suit to defend the rights of individuals to seek parole and apply for asylum. JAC currently consists of nine staff, based in remote locations throughout the United States, and will be filling 4 positions in 2024. JAC is looking for a Counsel who is comfortable working remotely in a start-up environment and who can expand JAC’s capacity to file innovative lawsuits to defend the rights of vulnerable immigrant populations.
The Counsel will report to the Legal Director and will contribute to JAC’s impact litigation goals. JAC is particularly interested in candidates who are committed to JAC’s efforts to fill gaps in impact litigation for immigrant communities, work nimbly in the face of new challenges affecting immigrant communities, and take creative approaches to combining storytelling and litigation. We welcome applicants with a range and diversity of experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Manage an active case load of complex litigation in federal court, including taking a leadership role in formulating legal strategy, refining legal claims and issues, and developing facts.
Draft and edit legal filings, communicate effectively with clients and co-counsel to develop facts, engage in legal research for cases in federal court, and represent JAC and JAC’s clients in conferences with opposing counsel and in oral argument.
Interact and develop rapport with clients and potential plaintiffs to build relationships that will enable our legal work product to reflect and amplify their stories.
Ability to manage, supervise, and mentor additional staff as JAC grows, in furtherance of JAC’s mission and goals.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with pro bono counsel, other co-counsel, plaintiff organizations, movement actors, and consultants.
Represent JAC in local, national, and international coalitions and working groups as needed.
Serve as a JAC spokesperson in a variety of contexts, including media interviews and appearances.
Review draft press releases and social media materials to identify and correct any legal errors or ambiguities and to strengthen the intended messaging.
Draft content to “decode” important legal decisions or events for a lay audience by unpacking and translating legal terms, identifying key takeaways, and bringing into focus the practical impact on affected communities.
Present on a range of topics—including but not limited to case updates, important legal decisions or events, or internal project findings—for an array of different audiences.
Contribute to JAC’s vision and strategy for combining litigation and storytelling and for filling unmet legal needs through impact litigation.
Commit to working collaboratively and respectfully, both with JAC colleagues in the legal and communications departments, and with co-counsel.
Engage with movement partners to develop and support directly impacted leaders in efforts to build a more inclusive society.
Qualifications
A J.D. from an accredited law school, active membership in at least one state bar, and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. federal jurisdiction.
At least 4 years of progressively responsible legal experience including in complex federal litigation and impact litigation.
Skills Needed
Excellent legal strategy, analytical, drafting, and editing skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including in both legal advocacy, client communications, and broader public communications.
Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and social justice through previous work experience.
Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trusting, productive relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including movement actors.
A highly collaborative style and good listening skills.
Ability to think creatively, take initiative, work within a team in a start-up environment, and be flexible in the face of challenges.
Commitment to helping cultivate a high-performing organization that utilizes litigation and communications strategies creatively in the fight for systemic change.
Commitment to best practices for organizations on equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Commitment to best practices for valuing work-life balance for oneself and one’s colleagues.
Prior experience working on behalf of immigrants and/or prior movement work experience in any social justice sector is a plus.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
100% remote position
Must reside and work in the United States
Occasional out-of-state travel required
What We Offer
100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance
100% employer paid life and AD&D insurance
100% employer paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Sick time and vacation time
Summer Fridays (Every other Friday off between Memorial Day & Labor Day)
Monthly wellness stipend
Home office stipend
401K employer contribution of 3%
Ready to Apply? Great! We can’t wait to learn more about you. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include your pronouns, your expected work city and state, and any languages you speak, including level of proficiency. Also, we welcome you to share in your cover letter how your professional experiences and qualifications will advance JAC’s mission. If you don’t meet all the required qualifications but still have interest in working for JAC in the Counsel position, please explain in the cover letter why we should consider you.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled. Please note that this posting provides a general but not comprehensive list of the responsibilities of the position. The duties, responsibilities, and activities of the position may change at any time without advance notice. This posting does not represent a contract of employment.
JAC is an equal opportunity employer. JAC recognizes the unique and valuable skills that immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, and all marginalized individuals can bring to this work and strongly encourages such individuals to apply.
JAC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please e-mail careers@justiceactioncenter.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation for the interview process.
This is a remote position.