Job Title: Senior Staff Attorney
Areas of Practice: FBI/CBP
Reports to: Executive Director or Operations Director
Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt) At-Will
Hybrid: 3 days remote, 2 days at the office per week
About the Organization:
The organization is America's largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group, with approximately 35 offices and chapters across the nation. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. The demand for services has grown significantly, and the New Jersey office strives to ensure that Muslims in New Jersey enjoy the same protections that all Americans have. The staff at the New Jersey office has quadrupled in the last four years, reflecting the organization's commitment to investing in the legal department. The legal work is seen as the service-oriented core of the organization, with a desire to maintain a robust legal department.
The New Jersey office is seeking a qualified, passionate, and talented individual to lead the Legal Department and represent its clients. This individual will lead a team of attorneys, a paralegal, and an intern, with plans to hire an additional paralegal and employ legal fellows. The ideal candidate will be capable of managing the organization’s civil rights work and expanding its impact, joining a rapidly growing and influential team that defends civil rights on behalf of American Muslims, in alignment with Islamic values and beliefs.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Manage caseload and supervise related casework
- Coordinate legal intake process with other staff, case selection, and case referral
- Participate in all aspects of litigation
- Engage in alternative dispute resolution
- Collaborate strategically with staff, including the advocacy and media departments
- Participate in community education initiatives, such as Know Your Rights workshops
- Assist in the production of reports and written documents
- Build or maintain relationships with clients, affected communities, law firms, law schools, legal clinics, and allied legal groups to advance the organization’s legal and policy work
Required Qualifications:
- . degree from an American Bar Association accredited school with admission in good standing with the NJ Bar
- Minimum of 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income and under-served communities
- Knowledge of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, especially Title VII, and the First Amendment, as well as knowledge of EEOC and other administrative procedures
Bonus, non-Required Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of the American Muslim community
- Experience drafting claim letters
- Experience in organizing and/or working in coalition spaces to advance the rights of low-income and under-served communities
- Proficiency with legal research and legal search engines
- Bilingual skills in a relevant language
Commitment to the mission:
- Passion for the mission of the organization, including a strong commitment to securing civil rights and justice for Muslim-Americans and their families
Interpersonal skills:
- Independent and self-motivated with minimal supervision required
- Ability to work fluidly with staff, who may also be Muslim-American
- Flexibility to deal with different cultural norms, educational backgrounds, and professional skills
Compensation:
- Annual Salary of $95,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience
- Fully paid health insurance for employee
- Up to 3% retirement matching contribution
- 12 paid holidays, 12 days paid vacation, 5 sick days, and 7 personal days per year
Other Benefits:
- Investment in professional development with access to mentors through the National & Chapter Legal Network and periodic legal training
- Unlimited access to a Practicing Law Institute membership for online, virtual, and in-person Legal CLEs, business cards, and malpractice insurance
- Inclusive and supportive work environment for professional growth and advancement
- Hybrid remote/in-person work schedule (3 days remote, 2 days at the office per week)
- Mileage/travel reimbursement for business travel (court, meetings, workshops, etc.)
- Annual NJ attorney registration reimbursement
- Flexible ad-hoc remote working options for a balanced approach to productivity
- Comprehensive health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, after health
How to Apply:
All interested and eligible individuals with the right to work in the . (citizens or proper work visa holders) are encouraged to apply. Submit the following:
(1) Cover letter
(2) Resume
(3) Three references
(4) Legal writing sample
Application Deadline: Interviews conducted on a rolling basis.
Start Date: ASAP
The organization is an equal opportunity employer.
