Staff Attorney

Full-time

No

Human Rights Defense Center: Staff Attorney
Job Description
The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) is seeking a full-time staff attorney in its Lake Worth, FL office.

HRDC is a nonprofit organization that advocates in furtherance of the human rights of people held in . prisons, jails, and detention facilities. HRDC is one of the few national opponents to the private prison industry and is the foremost advocate on behalf of the free speech rights of publishers to communicate with prisoners and the right of prisoners to receive publications and communications from outside sources. HRDC also does significant work around government transparency and accountability issues by filing and litigating public records and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases at the state and federal levels. In addition, HRDC provides representation in cases involving catastrophic injuries to or the deaths of prisoners, and consumer class actions related to the financial exploitation of prisoners and their families.

HRDC has a national docket and works with the most skilled civil rights lawyers and firms around the country. Our opponents include state, local and federal agencies, as well as private prison companies and companies that profit from mass incarceration. All HRDC cases have a media component and often involve working with the affected communities.

Responsibilities: The attorney will primarily litigate Section 1983 and FOIA cases in Federal Court, and will also litigate cases under state public records laws. The attorney will be expected to handle all phases of complex civil litigation and maintain an active case load, although cases at HRDC are handled cooperatively among all in-house attorneys. The attorney will be directly supervised by the Litigation Director and will work with in-house legal support staff. In most cases, the attorney will coordinate and work with co-counsel from various jurisdictions across the country. The attorney will occasionally be expected to travel to various jurisdictions around the country. This is a full time, 40 hour per week job in our Lake Worth office; however, remote work is an option for an ideal candidate.

Qualifications: A minimum of five years post-graduate experience as a full-time lawyer or judicial clerkship is preferred, but exceptions will be made for exceptional candidates with less experience. The successful candidate will have excellent writing and analytical skills, experience litigating § 1983 cases, a demonstrated commitment to improving the criminal justice system, and a personal interest in the preservation and advancement of civil liberties and individual rights. The attorney must be admitted in good standing to the Florida Bar (or to the bar of any state or the District of Columbia if working remotely,) must be self-motivated, energetic, capable of working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, and able to adjust to shifting priorities. Experience with First Amendment, class action or consumer related litigation is a plus.

Salary/Benefits: Salary is $65-80,000 per year and will be set depending on experience. HRDC offers a benefits package including 100% employer paid group health and dental insurance, as well as a retirement plan with employer contribution. Generous vacation, including all federal holidays.

Application: Send resume, cover letter, and three references to litigation director Dan Marshall at . No phone calls please. The position will remain open until filled.

HRDC is an equal opportunity employer. Formerly incarcerated persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

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