Senior Counsel for Voting Rights

LatinoJustice PRLDEF (LJP) seeks a dynamic, creative, experienced attorney to initiate and lead litigation and policy advocacy in the areas of voting rights and redistricting. Protecting voting rights is one of LJP’s core areas (pillars) of work, along with economic justice, immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and policing, racial justice, and issues specific to Puerto Rico. LJP uses multiple strategies, including litigation, advocacy, and community education and engagement, to protect and advance the voting rights of the Latinx and other communities of color in multiple states throughout the U.S. LJP’s work includes challenging vote denial practices such as failure to provide bilingual assistance at polling places, discriminatory voter roll purges, and unnecessary voter challenge practices. LJP also targets at-large election structures and unfair redistricting plans that attempt to dilute the power of the Latinx vote. Our Rights Restoration Project provides advocacy and legal assistance to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated Latinxs throughout the country. LJP also runs Cada Voto Cuenta, a bilingual election protection program, and recruits and trains bilingual volunteers to monitor polling places in several states.

This position requires an experienced voting rights and redistricting litigator, who is a strategic thinker with demonstrated proficiency in the intersectionality of voting rights with other core areas (pillars) of LJP’s work. This full-time position is based in LJP’s New York City office and reports to the Director of Litigation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary job responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Litigate cases targeted at protecting voting rights and stemming the dilution of Latinx voting strength. This includes researching and drafting complaints, pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda, engaging in discovery and motion practice, and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments in the trial and appellate courts
• Identify issues and develop new cases and advocacy projects
• Undertake legislative and policy advocacy, including analyzing legislation/policy for potential litigation
• Engage in public speaking at conferences and other forums
• Draft and edit public education and advocacy materials, in collaboration with LJP’s advocacy and communications teams
• Build and maintain relationships with voting rights experts, organizations, community stakeholders, academics, and thought leaders to engage them in LJP’s work and implement collaborative projects
• Guide and participate in LJP’s Cada Voto Cuenta bilingual election protection program, in collaboration with LJP’s advocacy and communications teams
• Work on special projects and other duties as assigned
• Mentor interns assigned to voting rights cases and projects

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree and at least seven (7) years of legal experience, including researching and drafting complaints, pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda, engaging in discovery and notion practice, and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments in the trial and appellate courts. Candidates with less than 7 years of experience with significant credentials in the areas of responsibility are welcome to apply. 
• Admission to New York Bar, or commitment to become admitted (at applicant’s costs) within one year of hire.
• Demonstrated commitment to voting rights and LJP’s other core issue areas (pillars).
• Commitment to the mission of the LJP.
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and litigating civil rights and anti-discrimination claims, particularly in the areas of voting rights and redistricting
• Excellent legal analytical and research skills
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
• Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively
• Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure
• Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment, working collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues
• Creativity, determination, and deep passion for LJP’s work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a Union position and salary is determined by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Salary is dependent on the number of years since law school graduation, starting at $92,525 for an attorney with 7 years out of law school up to $139,038 for an attorney with 34 years out of law school. 

LJP offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan, as well as generous paid time off benefits.

PLEASE NOTE: LJP staff is currently working in hybrid mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of this posting, this job is designed as hybrid. Workplace attendance criteria is still being determined as conditions continue to evolve. This is not a permanently remote position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply right away.