NCYL seeks an Attorney to work on JET impact litigation and policy initiatives across our work areas, which include school to prison pipeline, abolition of fines and fees, and others. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in litigation and policy advocacy in multiple jurisdictions.
National Center for Youth Law
The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.
The Justice and Equity Team (JET)
The JET uses a variety of strategies to accomplish the goals of our clients, including litigation, policy advocacy, coalition building and grassroots organizing. We work in numerous states and local jurisdictions on a range of issues, including ending the assessment and collection of court fees and fines and ending the criminalization of students. Much of our work is done in partnership with national, state and local advocates who are part of the Debt Free Justice Campaign.
Position
NCYL seeks an Attorney to work on JET impact litigation and policy initiatives across our work areas, which include school to prison pipeline, abolition of fines and fees, and others. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in litigation and policy advocacy in multiple jurisdictions.
Essential Functions
- Litigation development, including fact development and research and analysis of potential legal claims.
- Draft public records requests, complaints, motions, memoranda, and briefs.
- Engage in discovery and post-litigation implementation of settlements.
- Research and interpret laws, regulations, and policies to identify opportunities for reform.
- Outreach to and build relationships with grassroots organizations, youth and families impacted by fees and fines, other community groups and external partners.
- Work with stakeholder groups to advance policy initiatives.
- Collaborating with other NCYL staff and external partners to integrate policy and litigation advocacy.
- Represent NCYL on external committees related to advocacy.
- Assist with the ongoing development of internal JET processes and policies.
Required Qualifications
- J.D. degree.
- Admitted to practice law, or eligible to be admitted to practice law, in the United States.
Other Qualifications
- Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant experience at a public interest law firm, private firm, government agency, or doing similar work.
- Experience working with Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color, and their families.
- Demonstrated commitment to advocating for children and youth and to NCYL’s overarching goals and objectives.
- Understanding of the role of structural racism in public systems.
- Familiarity with the education system, court fees and fines, the juvenile justice system, and/or other public systems impacting young people and their families.
- Familiarity and understanding of working with coalitions in developing multi-faceted advocacy.
- Ability to meet deadlines and produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated creative problem solving and ability to stay focused on the big picture.
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites.
- Conversational Spanish preferred.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Some travel is expected.
Salary, Benefits and Location
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is competitive at $76,313.00 or $92,310.00 annually, based on the candidate's knowledge, skills and abilities. A geographic salary differential may be applied if the candidate resides somewhere other than the Oakland, CA, Los Angeles, CA, or Washington, DC metro areas.
NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurances, generous vacation and sick benefits, paid family leave, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, employer contribution to a retirement plan, paid sabbatical, and short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Candidates must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, or Wisconsin.
This position is eligible for 100% remote work through December 31, 2023. It is possible that starting in January of 2024, NCYL will require people to work in an office, in which case they will need to be in a location where they can commute to a NCYL office regularly (DC, Los Angeles, Oakland, or Sacramento).
Submit a cover letter and resume to apply. Application deadline is June 2, 2023.
No phone calls or emails, please.
Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1705638
Applicants with lived experience within any of our practice areas, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.
It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.