Spring 2024 Externs

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Who We Are

Public Justice is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that takes on the biggest systemic threats to justice of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. It connects high impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to fight these abusive and discriminatory systems and win social and economic justice.

What We Are Looking For

Public Justice seeks to hire four legal externs for the Spring 2024 semester. Two externs will work in all Public Justice practice areas (general litigation), one will focus on our Environmental Enforcement Project, and one will focus on our Students’ Civil Rights Project.

• Two general litigation externs will have the opportunity to work on variety of substantive areas encompassed by our projects, including the Access to Justice Project, which works to dismantle the procedural and structural barriers that corporations try to place between ordinary people and the civil justice system; the Debtors’ Prison Project, which combats the criminalization of poverty in cases where indigent defendants are jailed or face other harsh consequences simply because they cannot afford to pay fines, fees, bail, or other court debt; the Students’ Civil Rights Project, described below; and the Environmental Enforcement Project, described below.
• Our Students’ Civil Rights Project, which seeks to hire one extern, combines high-impact litigation with other advocacy tools to combat harassment and other forms of discrimination in schools. We strive to create systemic change so all students can learn and thrive, and to secure justice for students who are denied educational opportunities based on their race, national origin, ethnicity, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
• Our Environmental Enforcement Project, which seeks to hire one extern, combats climate change and pollution by bringing lawsuits to enforce our environmental laws. Our litigation holds polluters accountable by forcing them to pay for the damage caused by their pollution and to clean up their practices and the environment, and our lawsuits seek transformative change.

The externs are welcome to work in-person in either Public Justice’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., or its Oakland, California, office, subject to pandemic conditions and vaccination status. The externs may also work remotely. All externs may assist attorneys in both of Public Justice’s offices, as well as remote attorneys throughout the country.

Public Justice’s law externs research and develop new cases in conjunction with our attorneys, law fellows, and cooperating counsel. They also assist attorneys in ongoing litigation. Our law externs are involved in legal research and writing, case review, and brainstorming on theories and approaches designed to ensure that justice is achieved.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access

Public Justice is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that reflects the communities we serve and work in. Our legal and programmatic advocacy work impacts, builds bridges to, and operates within a diverse array of coalitions, including the Black, Latiné, LGBTQIA2S+, Asian, and immigrant communities. We want to recruit, support, and retain talented team members from within these and other communities as we expand our own work on behalf of racial justice, LGBTQIA2S+ equality, and access to opportunity for all. We encourage applications from people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities; LGBTQIA2S+ individuals; people of all genders; veterans; and people of all ages. Please visit this link to read our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access policy statement: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access.

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the recruitment process, please email LNicholls@publicjustice.net.

How to Apply

These positions are open to those who can secure academic credit for their work with Public Justice. We will help students secure academic credit from their schools. Applicants must be second- or third-year law students, and 3Ls are preferred. We do not accept applications from first-year or undergraduate students. 

Please submit your application to lawfellow@publicjustice.net no later than October 15, 2024. Reference “General Litigation,” “Environmental Enforcement Project,” or “Students’ Civil Rights Project” in your subject line to indicate the extern position for which you are applying, and specify in your cover letter whether you are applying to work in the Washington, D.C., office, the Oakland office, or remotely. You must submit multiple applications in order to apply for more than one position. Applications should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, transcript, and contact information for two references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file.

For more information on Public Justice, please visit our website at www.publicjustice.net.

Vice President of Finance

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Who We Are

Public Justice, a public interest legal advocacy organization that takes on the biggest systemic threats to justice; of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability, is seeking to hire a Vice President of Finance (VP) who will report to the Executive Director (ED), and serve as an integral member of the senior management team while partnering closely with all levels of the leadership team to support the people, processes, and systems that allow the organization to thrive.

What We Are Looking For 

As the VP of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in the development of Public Justice’s financial management strategy, leading our financial operations, providing strategic guidance, and driving our financial sustainability. We are looking for a strategic thought partner and visionary; responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing policies and procedures that ensure the overall financial health of the organization and accountability to our donors. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join a high-growth, mission-driven organization.

You will oversee the related areas of AR/AP, billing, payroll, cash flow, and banking and investment portfolios, as well as financial planning, management of private foundation grants, budgeting, forecasting, audits, and reporting to the ED, management team and Board. Your role will focus on the roadmap ahead, advisedly, and steadily providing realism about the current state while carefully setting up resources and strategy to support what’s ahead. You will collaborate with a team that will bring astute recommendations and opinions to your purview, and you will consider or support their contributions.

This position is a full-time, exempt, and possibly remote position. For team members who seek to work in-office, we can provide an experience that supports in-person social interaction and collaboration in our hub cities of Washington D.C. and Oakland, C.A. Our strong preference is for this position to be based in our Washington, D.C. office, and we will consider applicants located near our West Coast Office (Oakland, CA). If you are not located in Washington D.C. or Oakland, C.A., we encourage you to apply, as we are seeking the most qualified candidate that will be an added value to our dynamic organization.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Organizational Strategy 

• Advise the ED and other members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and policy matters with an impact on organizational finances.
• Serve as the staff point person on financial matters to the Board and Executive Committee of the Board, serve as the staff liaison for select Board committees regarding finance matters; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at Board and committee meetings.
• Contribute to the development of Public Justice’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Alert the management team and Board of any concerns that may impact the organization and forecast scenarios to help determine a plan of action.
• Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in banking and lease negotiations.
• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance team, including outside consultants, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Provide overall financial oversight, management, and monitoring, including cost control, cash management and projection, and asset and investment management.

Financial Management 

• Create clear accountability lines and deliverables with outsourced vendors in legal, tax, compliance, accounting, and finance.
• Develop and implement long-term financial plans and appropriate financial systems and controls.
• In collaboration with the outsourced accounting firm, ensure that financial procedures, practices, and records are in full compliance with applicable laws and standard accounting practices.
• Ensure accurate reporting, interpretation, and analysis of financial results in conjunction with budgets, forecasts, and long-range plans.
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the organization’s mission, goals, and long-term vision.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and make informed recommendations to optimize resource allocation.

Operations

• Upgrade, implement and enforce an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures. Develop annual and multi-year budgets that reflect organizational values and incorporate strategic priorities.
• Manage the annual audit process.
• Provide analytical support to the management team and program directors, including delivery of financial reports or budgets for foundation grants and development of additional internal financial reporting capabilities.
• Provide guidance and training on financial concepts, policies, and procedures to enhance the financial acumen of staff members.
• Act as a teacher and coach, sharing best practices, industry trends, and innovative approaches to accounting practices (GAAP) and financial grants management.

Experience/Qualifications

• A degree in business or accounting, or equivalent experience
• Minimum five years of professional accounting experience or working closely with accountants, with both external audit and in-house financial management experience
• Minimum five years of experience with nonprofit finance, accounting, and financial grants management.
• Proven track record of success in facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization.
• Adept judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, the Board, and staff.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks at a time and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivation and proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Sensitive to the needs and concerns of, and ability to work well with, individuals and groups from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Flexible, collaborative, and proactive; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports as well as peers and colleagues.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to follow-through; results oriented.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Openness to learning and willingness to give and receive feedback.
• Healthy sense of outrage and desire to change the world for the better.
• Willingness to travel, on occasion, to Board meetings.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications

• MBA
• Licensed CPA
• Experience in senior management of a nonprofit or working with the board of a nonprofit.

Salary

We offer a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork approach, and a competitive compensation package. The base salary for this position $176,000/annually.

Benefits

• Four-day workweek
• Flexible schedule
• Three weeks of paid vacation
• Two weeks of sick leave
• Two personal days each year
• All federal holidays and some local holidays off (Public Justice acknowledges there are various religious and cultural holidays that are important to our team. We encourage team members to take any days necessary for observing holidays and celebrations that are central to their faith tradition or communities.)
• Employer-sponsored health plan
• 401(k) plan

How to apply

Your application should consist of a cover letter, resume, and references in a single .pdf file.  In your cover letter, please specify whether you are applying to work in the Washington, D.C. office, the Oakland, CA office, or remotely. Candidates applying to work in D.C. are preferred. Please send your application to PJHR@publicjustice.net, Reference “Vice President of Finance” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For more information on Public Justice, please visit our website at www.publicjustice.net.

Interview process 

Public Justice is dedicated to equitable, inclusive, and accessible hiring practices. Below you will find details on what to expect during your interview journey with Public Justice:

• First Round – The first interview will consist of an interview panel. We use a structured interview process that includes standardized interview questions that will be asked of all candidates. The questions focus on assessing your qualifications, skills, experience, and additional attributes that will add value to our organization. Utilizing a scoring rubric, we objectively evaluate all responses independently, based on clearly defined criteria for each competency and skill being assessed. After the first-round interviews and scoring rubrics are completed, a discussion among panel members will occur and we will identify the top three candidates based on the scoring rubrics utilized.

• Second Round – The top three candidates will be notified via phone and e-mail. The candidates selected will be provided a skills-based assessment (SBA) based on the competencies required for the role. Once all SBA’s have been completed a submitted, they will be evaluated for accuracy and the top two finalists will be determined.

• Third Round – Finalists will be invited to meet with our Executive Director to learn more about Public Justice and offers an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the organization. After meeting with the Executive Director, one finalist will be selected to fill the position.

* Once the offer is made, the finalist selected will be asked to go through a credit and background check due to the key role you will play in managing the organization’s finances.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

We recognize that creating a truly equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization is an ongoing journey, and we’re proud and excited to share our journey with you. Please visit the link below to read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equitable employment opportunities are available to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQIA2S+ individuals; people of all genders; veterans; and people of all ages. Public Justice is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email mmediavilla@publicjustice.net. 

 A note to women and BIPOC Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, nonbinary people, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description; despite the reality that applicants rarely ever meet 100% of the qualifications. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the role. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay!  We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Summer 2024 Summer Law Clerks

with focus on General Litigation, Environmental Enforcement Project, or Students’ Civil Rights Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. or OAKLAND, CA or REMOTE

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Who We Are

Public Justice is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that takes on the biggest systemic threats to justice of our time – abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. It connects high impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to fight these abusive and discriminatory systems and win social and economic justice.

What We Are Looking For

Public Justice seeks to hire four law clerks for Summer 2024. Two law clerks will work in all Public Justice practice areas (general litigation), one will focus on our Environmental Enforcement Project, and one will focus on our Students’ Civil Rights Project.

• Two general litigation law clerks will have the opportunity to work on variety of substantive areas encompassed by our projects, including the Access to Justice Project, which works to dismantle the procedural and structural barriers that corporations try to place between ordinary people and the civil justice system; the Debtors’ Prison Project, which combats the criminalization of poverty where indigent defendants are jailed and penalized for inability to pay fines and fees; the Students’ Civil Rights Project, described below; and the Environmental Enforcement Project, described below.
• Our Students’ Civil Rights Project, which seeks to hire one law clerk, uses litigation and advocacy to combat harassment and other forms of discrimination so that all students can learn and thrive in school. We bring high-stakes lawsuits and appeals on behalf of students who are denied educational opportunities based on their sex, sexuality, race, or other protected characteristics, and we collaborate with student-led movements.
• Our Environmental Enforcement Project, which seeks to hire one law clerk, combats climate change and pollution by bringing lawsuits to enforce our environmental laws. Our litigation holds polluters accountable by forcing them to pay for the damage caused by their pollution and to clean up their practices and the environment, and our lawsuits seek transformative change.

The law clerks are welcome to work in-person in either Public Justice’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., or its Oakland, California, office, subject to pandemic conditions and vaccination status. The law clerks may also work remotely, subject to some limitations. All law clerks may assist attorneys in both of Public Justice’s offices, as well as remote attorneys throughout the country.

Key Responsibilities

Public Justice’s law clerks research and develop new cases in conjunction with our attorneys, law fellows, and cooperating counsel. They also provide assistance to attorneys in ongoing litigation. Our law clerks are involved in legal research and writing, case review, and brainstorming on theories and approaches designed to ensure that justice is achieved.

We encourage students to seek and use outside sources funding or stipends, and we will help students secure that funding. Where necessary, Public Justice will provide supplemental funding equivalent to the minimum wage.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access

Public Justice is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that reflects the communities we serve and work in. Our legal and programmatic advocacy work impacts, builds bridges to, and operates within a diverse array of coalitions, including the Black, Latiné, LGBTQIA2S+, Asian, and immigrant communities. We want to recruit, support, and retain talented team members from within these and other communities as we expand our own work on behalf of racial justice, LGBTQIA2S+ equality, and access to opportunity for all. We encourage applications from people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities; LGBTQIA2S+ individuals; people of all genders; veterans; and people of all ages. Please visit the link below to read our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access policy statement. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access 

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the recruitment process, please email LNicholls@publicjustice.net.

How to Apply

Applicants must have completed their second year of law school by Summer 2024. We do not accept applications from first-year students. 

Please submit your application to lawfellow@publicjustice.net no later than September 12, 2023. Reference “General Litigation,” “Environmental Enforcement Project,” or “Students’ Civil Rights Project” in your subject line to indicate the law clerk position for which you are applying and specify in your cover letter whether you are applying to work in the Washington, D.C., office, the Oakland office, or remotely. If you seek to work remotely, please state whether you anticipate being able to secure funding and from what state you anticipate working. You must submit multiple applications in order to apply for more than one position. Applications should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, transcript, and contact information for two references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file. In addition, Public Justice considers applications via the Equal Justice Works Career Fair and certain law schools’ OCI programs; applicants participating in those programs should follow those applicable deadlines and submission procedures and need not also submit an application to the “lawfellow” email address.

For more information on Public Justice, please visit our website at www.publicjustice.net.

Debtors’ Prison Project Investigator

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Who We Are

Public Justice is a public interest legal advocacy organization that takes on the biggest systemic threats to justice of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. We connect high impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to fight these abusive and discriminatory systems and win social and economic justice.

Founded in 2018, Public Justice’s Debtors’ Prison Project (DPP) is a strategic litigation and advocacy project that combats the criminalization of poverty. Our work aims to counter the incentives for governments and private companies to shift the costs of the criminal legal system onto those least able to pay: indigent criminal defendants, their families, and their communities. We fight for the rights of individuals facing jail solely because of their inability to pay fines and fees and we also fight against the abusive imposition, enforcement, and collection of fines and fees.

What We Are Looking For

We seek to hire a full-time Investigator who will work collaboratively with attorneys in support of complex civil rights litigation in federal and state courts.

The Investigator will report to DPP Director Leslie Bailey and be supervised by DPP attorneys. The Investigator may be based in our West Coast Office (Oakland, CA), our national headquarters in Washington, D.C., or may work remotely from another part of the country. Because Public Justice investigates and litigates cases nationally, some travel will be required, consistent with case needs.

Job Responsibilities

Fact Development:

• Collaborate closely with attorneys to conduct comprehensive factual research using both online resources and in-person investigations.
• Conduct court watching.
• Interview witnesses, clients (including in jails and/or prisons), and other individuals.

Analytical work:

• Analyze facts, records, and data to identify key facts, insights and trends.
• Create summaries, charts, and conduct data analysis to effectively organize and present large quantities of documents.
• Collaborate with attorneys to integrate gathered information into case strategy and preparation.

Stakeholder relationship building:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, witnesses, community partners, organizers, coalition members, and allies.
• Foster open communication channels to ensure efficient exchange of information and cooperation.

Public awareness and communication:

• Collaborate with the communications team and partner organizations to raise public awareness about clients and their cases.
• Assist in crafting compelling narratives and messages that highlight our clients’ stories and the impact of our work.

Strategic planning:

• Participate in strategic planning initiatives for the Debtor’s Prison Project (DPP).
• Contribute insights and recommendations based on investigative findings to inform strategic decisions.

Case management and litigation support:

• Assist in proofreading and cite-checking legal briefs to ensure accuracy and quality.
• File legal pleadings with courts and manage litigation calendars to ensure deadlines are met.
• Organize and maintain case files, ensuring all relevant documents are readily accessible.
• Submit records requests and review subsequent responses to collect necessary information.
• Support attorneys in the review and production of discovery materials.
• Perform various case support tasks as needed.

Qualifications

The ideal Investigator is passionate about social justice, hard-working, a fast learner, proactive, able to juggle multiple tasks, and able to work well in a collaborative environment. This is an entry-level position. Specific qualifications we are looking for include:

• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice, decarceration, and ending wealth-based detention;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in teams;
• Highly organized and diligent work ethic;
• Intense level of curiosity and willingness to go above and beyond to find answers;
• Healthy distrust of authority (government, police, etc.);
• Care and respect for people who are system-involved;
• Ability to understand and navigate issues of identity, power and privilege with clients, partners, and colleagues;
• Experience working with disenfranchised communities and/or those directly impacted by the criminal legal system;
• Proven ability to take initiative, establish priorities, work independently, self-motivate, and achieve objectives with minimal supervision;
• Strong analytical, writing, and research skills;
• Comfort with data management systems, particularly Everlaw and Relativity, is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work with data sets in Excel and R, Python, Stata, or similar coding language is a plus, but not a requirement;
• Ability and willingness to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that encourages collaboration.

Salary, Benefits, and Logistics

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a starting salary of $55,000/year. We offer a mission-focused work environment and a teamwork and community-oriented approach. Our benefits include:

• A four-day work week all-year round
• Flexible schedule opportunities
• Three weeks paid vacation
• Two weeks of paid sick leave
• Two annual personal days
• Employer-sponsored health plan
• All federal holidays and some local holidays off (Public Justice acknowledges there are various religious and cultural holidays that are important to our team. We encourage team members to take any days necessary for observing holidays and celebrations that are central to their faith tradition or communities.)
• 401K plan

How to apply

Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and contact information for two references to DPPinvestigator@publicjustice.net.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

We recognize that creating a truly equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization is an ongoing journey, and we’re proud and excited to share our journey with you. Click here to read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy.

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equitable employment opportunities are available to all applicants. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQIA2S+ individuals; previously incarcerated individuals; people of all genders; veterans; and people of all ages. Public Justice is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. 

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email mmediavilla@publicjustice.net.

A note to women and BIPOC Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, nonbinary people, and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description; despite the reality that applicants rarely ever meet 100% of the qualifications. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the role. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay!

We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.