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 Counsel/Senior Counsel(2 positions) 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: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law