The Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking a Senior Staff or Staff Attorney who has a passion for and commitment to protecting and vindicating the rights of immigrants and migrants. The Senior Staff or Staff Attorney will join the Immigrant Justice Advocacy and Litigation Impact Team (IJ ALIT) and litigate cases raising constitutional and statutory claims in federal, state, and administrative courts. The Senior Staff or Staff Attorney will work closely with immigrant justice community partners and organizations and use community-lawyering principles to develop, litigate, and lead multi-strategy advocacy campaigns advancing immigrants’ and migrants’ rights.
The Immigrant Justice ALIT pursues impact litigation and systemic reform related to immigration and immigrant rights by (1) fighting against state practices that funnel people into the deportation machine; (2) freeing immigrants from detention through impactful individual representation and systemic reform; (3) changing immigration and enforcement systems so they operate fairly and sensibly; (4) enforcing laws protecting migrants from mistreatment by governments or employers; (5) supporting immigrant communities as they demand respect for their dignity and humanity; and (6) ending all forms of discrimination against immigrants, including discrimination based on immigration status or national origin.
Experienced. Demonstrated experience litigating complex individual, multi-plaintiff, and/or class action cases in federal, state, and administrative courts. Demonstrated experience in litigation based on the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, including the Immigration and Nationality Act and related immigration laws.
Advocate. Experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, aimed at protecting the rights of immigrants and migrants. Experience conducting outreach activities related to litigation and campaigns.
Bilingual. Ability to speak and write in a language commonly spoken in the Southeastern United States (e.g., Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Vietnamese, or Mandarin).
Committed. Demonstrated interest and commitment to community-oriented and movement-supportive lawyering. Dedicated to a non-hierarchical, client-centered approach to advocacy and ability to work on sensitive issues in a compassionate and empathetic manner. Proven commitment to immigrant justice.
Analytical. Ability to synthesize complex legal and policy developments, analyze requests for legal assistance relating to immigration law, and provide technical assistance to immigrant communities and partner organizations.
Researcher. Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research and factual investigations.
Writer. Ability to draft briefs, memos, and other documents in support of litigation, advocacy, and public education with a team and independently.
Creative. Ability to think creatively, be flexible, and take calculated risks around changing priorities and in crafting and executing strategies to move litigation and campaigns forward.
Collaborative. Aptitude for and willingness to be a team player, including with diverse partners and team members. Ability to work with other Advocacy Litigation & Impact Teams (ALITs), external organizations, and stakeholders on multiple cases and campaigns at once.
Communicative. Exceptional communication skills and ability to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences through writing and speaking. Ability to communicate legal concepts effectively to diverse and multi-lingual audiences, including community groups, coalitions, and individuals. Able and willing to communicate regularly with clients, co-counsel, and partner organizations.
Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC's mission, vision and values.
Lead the implementation of SPLC’s immigrant justice legal advocacy strategies, especially in the Deep South.
Develop new cases in consultation with SPLC staff and community partners.
Senior Staff Attorneys will train, and mentor legal staff as needed.
Develop and maintain collaborations and partnerships with community organizations.
Investigate, gather information, and interview clients and witnesses.
Collaborate with team members of other ALITs in the Legal Department as well as all other members of other SPLC Departments to advance the impact goals and campaigns of SPLC.
Research and Write legal memos and briefs on complex legal and factual questions.
Represent SPLC in various forums, including before community groups, legislators, and state agencies.
Respond to requests for legal assistance.
Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision and values of the Center and Legal Department’s goals.
We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.
This is an exempt role , and the minimum starting salary is $78,832.00 annually. Salary is based on legal experience post law school.
Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.
This role the following work designations options:
This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.
This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.
The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.
We focus our legal, advocacy, and public education efforts on four major areas representing some of the most significant challenges facing the South and beyond: protecting voting rights and civic engagement; eradicating poverty in our Southern communities; dismantling white nationalism and protecting democracy; and decriminalizing and decarcerating Black and Brown people.
