Senior Counsel - Educational Opportunities Project

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

The Lawyers’ Committee has litigation, public policy, and advocacy programs in the substantive areas of Voting Rights, Election Protection, Digital Justice, Economic Justice, Criminal Justice, Economic Opportunities, and Fair Housing. The organization advances its mission as the premier organization marshaling the resources of the private bar alongside our own talented staff, with over 1 million pro bono hours billed to our cases and matters over the past decade. 

Job Title : Senior Counsel 
Location : Washington, DC
Job Type : Full-Time
Union Affiliation : Union
Accountable to : Director, Educational Opportunities Project

About the Role :
The Educational Opportunities Project (EOP) Counsel/Senior Counsel supports the organization’s racial justice mission by ensuring equal and equitable educational opportunities in PK-12 and higher education for an in partnership with Black communities and other historically marginalized communities of color. The position requires a demonstrated commitment to achieving this overarching goal by engaging partners through a three-pronged approach involving cutting-edge impact litigation, policy, and advocacy.

What You’ll be Doing:
Responsibilities of the Counsel/Senior Counsel include but are not limited to:

• Litigate in federal and state courts, including appellate courts, throughout the country. Conduct outreach and perform client intakes, investigate and evaluate new cases, conduct legal research and write legal memoranda, and collaborate with regional partners, government agencies, and pro bono or non-profit co-counsel.
• Draft pleadings and briefs, engage in discovery and motion practice, present and cross-examine lay and expert witnesses, and conduct evidentiary hearings and oral arguments.
• Draft amicus briefs in support of issues central to the EOP’s mission in collaboration with pro bono or non-profit co-counsel.
  
  
  
   
• Engage in public education and public policy efforts supporting the EOP’s work; research and compile data, and commission research as necessary, to support advocacy efforts; draft written materials including, policy reports, testimony, briefing papers, toolkits, and educational resources.
  
  
  
   
• Collaborate with the Policy Project and, when necessary, assume leadership on the EOP’s federal and state policy work, including presenting testimony before local, state, and congressional bodies and drafting comments.
  
  
  
   
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key partners and grassroot community organizations and ensure their involvement in identifying emerging issues, developing responses to problems, and advancing common priorities and strategies.
  
  
  
   
• Engage in public speaking and articulate Lawyers’ Committee positions on various educational civil rights matters.
  
  
  
   
• Represent the Lawyers’ Committee in coalition work, with the media, and at meetings with members of Congress and high-level staff at relevant federal agencies.
  
  
  
   
• Depending on experience level, provide guidance to less experienced attorneys and interns.
  
  
  
   
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within and outside the office and implement a community-driven approach to the work.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:

• Strong belief in the Lawyers’ Committee’s work and mission.
  
  
  
   
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on racial, social, and economic justice, preferably in the area of education.
  
  
  
   
• Experience litigating complex civil matters, especially in the area of civil rights, is preferred.
  
  
  
   
• Exceptional oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse audiences, including the general public, media, clients, and policymakers.
  
  
  
   
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent advocacy that centers on communities harmed by discriminatory practices.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and enhance relationships with diverse groups and coalitions.
  
  
  
   
• A high degree of professional ethics, integrity, and sound judgment.
  
  
  
   
• Demonstrated ability to take the initiative, think creatively, and work independently and also collaboratively in a team-based decision-making environment.
  
  
  
   
• Detail-oriented, strong organizational skills, ability to problem solve and multi-task.
  
  
  
   
• Ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment.
  
  
  
   
• Admission to the bar of at least one state and either admission to the DC Bar or eligibility to waive into the DC Bar.
  
  
  
   
• Ability to travel for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law takes a holistic approach to civil rights litigation, and our attorneys often work across practice areas to advance our mission. This role is anchored in our Educational Opportunities Project, but candidates should expect and welcome the possibility of contributing to matters in other program areas as organizational priorities evolve.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:  The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

Reasonable Accommodation: The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at View email address on us.fitly.work.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union. Employment terms, including wages and benefits, are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

The Lawyers’ Committee offers competitive compensation for our exempt attorney positions, with salaries ranging from $76,000 to $165,000. The specific salary within this range is generally determined based on the candidate’s experience, including the timing of their law degree attainment. Generally, candidates who obtained their law degree more recently will start at the lower end of the scale. Candidates with more extensive experience or those who obtained their law degree earlier may be eligible for salaries towards the higher end of the scale. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent compensation structure that reflects the value and experience of our attorneys.