Attorney (lived experience)

Description

If you need reasonable accommodation to complete the application, interview, or some other portion of the selection process for a job at Civil Rights Corps, please contact us at jobs@civilrightscorps.org.

About Us

Civil Rights Corps (CRC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 that challenges systemic injustice in the U.S. legal system. We have pioneered landmark civil rights litigation that has liberated hundreds of thousands of people from illegal jailing, won tens of millions of dollars for the most vulnerable people in our society, pioneered political education and narrative strategies to change the way our society thinks about mass incarceration and family separation, and set the agenda for innovative solutions to make our communities safer. Our work is guided by a commitment to the people and communities harmed by policing, surveillance, incarceration, discrimination, and the criminalization of poverty. We work with individuals accused of crimes, people currently and formerly incarcerated, their families and communities as well as organizers, policy organizations, and government officials to shift power to social movements fighting for greater equality, freedom, and human flourishing. Learn more at civilrightscorps.org.

Job Description

CRC seeks an attorney to join our legal team. This attorney will have litigation experience and demonstrate a deep commitment to CRC's mission and values. They will work collaboratively with other attorneys and legal staff to support and lead significant portions of our litigation and advocacy efforts.

 Job duties include:

• Leading complex civil rights cases in federal and state court to challenge a range of injustices within the legal system.
• Supporting litigation teams that include attorneys and investigators from CRC as well as outside organizations and/or law firms.
• Investigating and developing factual and legal claims; preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling trials and appeals.
• Supporting integrated advocacy campaigns that include litigation, organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.
• Representing CRC  in coalitions, at conferences, in the media, and elsewhere.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with community partners, organizers, coalition members, journalists, and legal allies.
• Mentoring and supporting junior attorneys and legal staff.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Ideal applicants are passionate about fighting repression, innovative, humble, hardworking, proactive, able to work independently and juggle multiple tasks, interpersonally and culturally competent, and unwilling to accept things as they are. All applicants must have:

• JD degree and admission to practice law in a U.S. state.
• Experience litigating cases, preferably including civil litigation experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead complex civil litigation.
• Demonstrated commitment to CRC’s mission, purpose, and values, with cultural competency.
• Lived experience with systems of oppression and/or demonstrated experience working with people directly impacted by them (e.g., criminal legal, policing, child welfare, or immigration systems).
• Ability to lead case teams and collaborate with teammates, clients, and community partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage workload effectively, and balance competing deadlines.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior attorneys or legal fellows.
• Willingness to identify gaps in knowledge and take initiative to grow and support team learning.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position. Salary is determined by CRC’s salary scale based on years of legal experience and will be in the range of $82,000 to $155,000. Civil Rights Corps offers an outstanding benefits package, including employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits; transit benefits; an annual wellness benefit; retirement matching; and paid sick, family, and unlimited vacation leave with approval.  This position is included within United Civil Rights Workers, the CRC workers’ union. Preference will be given to candidates in Washington, D.C. or willing to relocate, although remote candidates will be considered.

Application Requirements

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and three professional references. Applicants who graduated law school within the last two years should submit an unofficial transcript. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.