NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW is hiring a Staff Attorney for its Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Civil Rights & Restorative Justice Project, housed at the Northeastern University School of Law (CRRJ) is the pioneer academic program in the country examining current racial inequities through the lens of history and seeking creative reparative justice. CRRJ investigates, publicizes, and remediates cases of racial homicide. It has built the most comprehensive archive on racial violence events between 1930 and 1955 in the country. Founded in 2007, CRRJ’s project is unique in its combination of rigorous research and community engagement. CRRJ identifies the underlying hidden narratives from the time period and seeks to bring justice to families and communities.

The Civil Rights & Restorative Justice Project is now a program of the law school’s Center on Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR). CRRJ’s Racial Redress and Reparations lab (“Lab”) advances its work with communities and policy makers seeking to engage effectively and responsibly with the heightened call for racial redress in the US. The Lab offers expertise in designing reparative processes, historical and legal research, convening assistance, and policy development. The approach of the lab is to bring all stakeholders on board in the development and design of these processes, for we believe that participation, consultation, and dialogue is essential to the project of reparation. The Lab’s mission is to provide community education and engagement that paves the way for a successful project of repair and recognition.

CRRJ is currently seeking a staff attorney to direct the legal programs of its Racial Redress and Reparations Lab (“Lab”) and teach in its clinical program. Reporting to Professor Margaret Burnham, the successful candidate will have subject matter experience in civil rights law; human rights law criminal justice or a related field; and broad knowledge of US civil rights history. The successful candidate will have experience working as an attorney in the litigation or policy arena, or in legal education.

The Staff Attorney serves as the lead on the Lab team, directing law students, legal fellows (lawyers), and other staff in the design and execution of projects of racial redress for legal wrongs in the US. The Staff Attorney may teach clinical law courses; lead legal research projects; engage in litigation and policy advocacy; develop programs and projects for the law school community in CRRJ’s areas of expertise; manage CRRJ’s relationships in the academic and legal community including litigation partners in national law firms; create training material and policy guidelines; and collaborate closely with affected communities, public officials, and social justice organizations. The Staff Attorney will play a critical role in enhancing CRRJ’s visibility, representing CRRJ at meetings and conferences, participating in development activities, and fostering strong staff relationships.

The responsibilities of the Staff Attorney will include:

• Develop, administer, and expand CRRJ’s legal advocacy, including individual community-based restorative justice projects; advocacy in legal and policy forums, teaching and research on historical injustice; supervise relationships with external partners; manage programmatic intake and vetting policies; work closely with legal fellows and other staff on CRRJ projects; build and maintain relationships with academic and nonprofit programs aligned with CRRJ.
• Supervise CRRJ students; design and teach CRRJ clinical courses; design and deliver programming for the law school and University on civil rights/reparative justice.
• Ensure visibility for CRRJ in diverse academic and social justice nonprofit groups and the policy arena. Represent CRRJ at meetings and conferences. Participate in media events and assist with fundraising. Build and maintain relationships with communities and social justice movements aligned with CRRJ.

This is a full-time benefits-eligible position based at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. This is a two- year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and at the discretion of the employer. Northeastern is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Final candidates may be required to participate in a presentation exercise.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Juris doctor from an ABA-accredited or a state-accredited law school and a member in good standing of a bar in the United States
• A minimum of three years of recent legal experience in civil rights, criminal justice, human rights or a related field
• Knowledge of state and federal laws regarding civil rights, reparative justice, human rights or criminal justice
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and a proven ability to work with a diverse group of students, staff and faculty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advocacy in litigation or policy arena preferred.
• Experience in legal education preferred.

APPLICATION

• Please submit your cover letter, fellowship statement, resume, and list of references in one PDF submission. More information below.
• Cover Letter: Describe your background and organizational work within the anti-racist and social justice space.
• Project Statement: Provide a statement for a project idea for the fellowship.
• List references: Include at least three references.

INFORMATION

• Boston, MA (Main Campus)
• Full Time
• Posted 8 Days Ago
• R117228

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