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Careers at Public Justice

Careers at Public Justice

Public Justice offers a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We provide excellent benefits, including at least three weeks of paid vacation, four-day work week, two weeks of sick leave, two personal days each year, all federal and some local holidays, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, and a 401(k) plan.

Open Positions

Senior Human Resources Manager

Senior Human Resources Manager

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Public Justice, a national public interest organization, seeks to hire an experienced human resources (HR) professional to manage and support all HR policies and procedures of the organization. Public Justice is a legal advocacy organization that pursues high impact lawsuits to combat social and economic injustice, protect the Earth’s sustainability, and challenge predatory corporate conduct and government abuses.

 

Position Overview

Public Justice employs roughly 47 individuals working within two offices and several remote locations around the country. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in a non-profit organization in ensuring that HR policies, procedures, and programs are consistently administered, aligned with organizations goals, and in compliance with professional standards and state and federal law. The individual must be a self-starter and a team player demonstrating professionalism and the ability to prioritize tasks, analyze data, problem solve, think critically and create, improve, or refine systems within the Operations Department and overall organization as needed. The position is open immediately, is an exempt position, reports to the Vice President of Operations, and is affiliated with the organization’s national headquarters located in Washington, DC.

 

Job Responsibilities 

Under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Operations, the Senior Human Resources Manager will focus on and handle day-to-day management of all matters pertaining to HR policies and procedures including employee relations issues. Responsibilities will include the following:

  1. Manage the hiring process for all departments, including developing streamlined protocols, developing qualified and diverse applicant pools, and generally assisting in the recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of personnel (including interns);
  2. Work with managers to ensure that all job descriptions are consistent across departments and up to date;
  3. Update and maintain employee policies and procedures manual, the organizational chart, and all personnel files;
  4. Manage performance evaluation processes across Public Justice departments;
  5. Develop and maintain training materials and resources to support employee well-being and productivity; to improve job and communication skills; and to incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion & access (DEIA) principles into daily work life;
  6. Support internal and external community-building in a “hybrid” work environment (both in-person and remote) by helping plan and coordinate any staff retreats; planning and executing staff events and other staff recognition activities; and engaging alumni of Public Justice through network communication and activities;
  7. Work with managers and/or consultants to keep the organization’s compensation packages in line with market research and best practices;
  8. Manage all employee inquiries about benefits and enrollment or change requests;
  9. Take the lead in investigating employee issues and conflicts and help bring them to resolution;
  10. Ensure the organization’s compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to matters such as equal employment opportunity laws, unemployment compensation, OSHA, workers compensation, etc.;
  11. Work with managers to coordinate succession planning of staff in the context of promotions, resignations, and/or terminations;
  12. Coordinate and/or conduct exit interviews of separating employees;
  13. Handle external HR inquiries (e.g., employment verification requests, unemployment compensation inquiries); and
  14. Recommend process enhancements and initiatives to support the organization’s DEIA efforts.

 

Minimum Qualifications

  1. At least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in human resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  2. Certification with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) preferred.
  3. Strong knowledge of employment law, and ability to analyze federal and state statutes and regulations.
  4. Ability and interest to remain abreast of current developments in HR practices, trends and legal compliance issues.
  5. At least seven (7) years of exempt-level experience working in a generalist capacity with HR matters while assuming progressively responsible duties, preferably in the non-profit sector.
  6. Strong working knowledge of all HR functional areas such as, but not limited to, employee recruitment, benefits, compensation, records management, training, etc.
  7. Excellent writing, organizational and verbal presentation skills.
  8. Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
  9. Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities in a fast-paced environment and possessing problem solving, critical thinking, and crisis management skills.
  10. Ability to maintain confidentiality, be self-directed, be organized, and work with minimal supervision.

 

Benefits and Salary

Public Justice offers a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We also offer a generous benefits package, including a four-day work week, three weeks of paid vacation, two weeks of sick leave, two personal days each year, all federal holidays and some local, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a 401(k) retirement plan.

The salary range for this position is between $95,000-$115,000 per year, depending upon experience. While this may be a remote position, Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered.

To Apply:  Interested candidates should submit a:

  • cover letter that conveys why you are drawn to Public Justice’s mission and the objectives of this position and how your experience fits with those objectives;
  • resume; and
  • contact information for three (3) references including full name, phone contact information as well as e-mail address.

The application deadline is ­­­April 28, 2023, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit applications by e-mail to LHughes@publicjustice.net.

Public Justice EEO Statement

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ 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 are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email lhughes@publicjustice.net. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

For more information and to learn more about Public Justice, please visit our website at www.publicjustice.net.

External Affairs Administrative Assistant

External Affairs Administrative Assistant

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Position Overview 

Public Justice seeks an experienced administrative professional to join the organization’s External Affairs Division and provide day-to-day administrative support to our communications, development, board relations and events team. Public Justice 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. 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. In particular, we ensure access to the civil justice system, protect the civil rights of students, boldly lead efforts to reform the industrial agriculture system, fight to end qualified immunity and modern-day debtor’s prisons, enforce the nation’s most important environmental laws, and much more.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to put your administrative skills to work on some of the most important issues facing our country today.

The Administrative Assistant’s responsibilities include a wide array of tasks that are critical for the efficient operations of the External Affairs division. This position will provide high-level administrative support to Division leaders, including the Senior Director of Development, Director of Board Development and Strategy and the organization’s Communications Director. The ideal candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills, should be organized and proficient in MS Office, and donor database systems. The ability and willingness to learn new computer systems quickly is important. Some travel may be required. The Administrative Assistant position will be able to work remotely two days a week and will be required to be in either our Washington, DC or Oakland, CA office at least two days a week. This position will report to the Senior Meetings & Events Manager.


Duties and Responsibilities

Board Development and Management

  • Organize and schedule virtual Board Committee meetings.
  • Assist with meeting minutes and attendance record keeping.
  • Maintain Board and Committee contact lists and listservs.
  • Monitor and report on compliance with Board service requirements, including database pulls for information related to giving history, meeting attendance and other necessary metrics.
  • Maintain all Board-related electronic files, including meeting minutes, Board policies and bylaws and other governance documents.

Communications

  • Assist with external communications through coordinating communications schedules for eBlasts, action alerts and other electronic communications.

Development

  • In conjunction with the Senior Major Gifts Officer, book travel arrangements in support of development and executive fundraising and cultivation travel
  • Update the membership database, ensuring timely updates to contact information records.
  • Assist Development Team with mailings, including working with a mailing house.

Meetings & Events

  • Track event sponsorship pledges and payments in Excel and our database
  • Assist with registration lists for Annual Gala & Awards Ceremony
  • Work with designer on Program Book to ensure all pieces of the book are completed and all ads have been submitted.

Requirements and skills

  • Knowledge of office management systems and procedures
  • Working knowledge of office equipment
  • Knowledge of database systems, with strong preference for experience with EveryAction Database System
  • Proficiency in MS Office, Zoom, along with the ability and desire to learn new technologies as needed
  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work from multiple staff
  • Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task

Salary & Benefits

Public Justice offers a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We provide excellent benefits, including at least three weeks of paid vacation, a four-day work week, two weeks of sick leave, two personal days each year, all federal and some local holidays, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, and a 401(k) plan. This is a non-exempt, hourly position with an expected salary range equivalent to $50,000 – $55,000 per year, depending on experience. Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement, including remote work, based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief, will be considered.

Public Justice EEO Statement 

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ 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: Lhughes@publicjustice.net.

How to Apply 

Interested candidates are required to email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and contact information for two (2) references to Susan Gombert, Senior Meetings & Events Manager, with the subject line ‘Administrative Assistant’ to sgombert@publicjustice.net.

Application Deadline

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by April 15, 2023, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Access to Justice Outreach Attorney/Attorney Organizer

Access to Justice Outreach Attorney/Attorney Organizer

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (preferred), OAKLAND, CA, or remote 

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.

The Access to Justice Project at Public Justice seeks to hire an attorney with strong networking, coalition-building, and strategic communication skills to design and execute an outreach and organizing strategy, in conjunction with our existing team of attorneys and communications professionals, that will identify and build relationships with key allies and expand the reach of our educational and advocacy materials.

Access to Justice Project Overview

The Access to Justice Project uses litigation, advocacy, and organizing to help people harmed by corporate or governmental abuses by fighting against procedural and structural barriers that prevent them from seeking systemic change and vindicating their rights in transparent and publicly accountable forums. The Project leads the nation in victories for workers and consumers against efforts to force their claims into arbitration, preserves public access to court records and discovery materials, combats narrow applications of Article III standing that keep individuals and organizations from pursuing justice in federal court, works to preserve the viability of disparate-impact liability as a means of proving and remedying systemic discrimination, identifies and seeks to dismantle barriers to accessing justice in the civil court system  for people who are incarcerated or in immigration detention facilities, and fights to preserve the class-action device as it is often the only route to force structural change.

The Role

The Access to Justice Project works in partnership with a network of litigators, organizations, and other allies who share our goal of a just and equitable civil court system. This network informs and magnifies our work in various ways: as a source of new cases; as a source of client stories for advocacy campaigns; and as a conduit through which to distribute educational materials for the benefit of others litigating in our strategic areas of focus. Most important, this network serves as thought partners and “eyes and ears” on the ground, making us aware of newly emerging barriers to historically disadvantaged communities’ ability to access the civil courts and helping us brainstorm responses to those emerging threats.

We seek to expand our existing networks which are primarily class action and personal injury attorneys to include civil rights, legal aid, and worker center organizations. We are seeking a dynamic self-starter who can take the lead in developing and execute an outreach and coalition-building strategy to address these gaps in our network in collaboration with the attorneys on the Access to Justice Project and Public Justice’s communications team:

  • Identifying key gaps in our existing network (particularly around those litigating civil rights cases) and making connections with lawyers, organizations, and firms that address the areas in which our current network is underinclusive, finding ways that we can both help and learn from those new partners while also connecting them to advocacy efforts on issues of mutual concern like Article III standing and court secrecy;
  • Attending conferences at which Public Justice is not already well-known to share information about what the Access to Justice Project does and learn about the emerging threats and barriers that lawyers in different practice areas are experiencing, with an eye both towards expanding the Access to Justice Project’s partnerships and identifying new strategic areas of focus that may inform our work;
  • Identifying new speaking and publication opportunities, both for the outreach attorney themself and for other subject matter experts on the Access to Justice team, to expand our reach within the legal community;
  • Compiling brief banks and other educational materials in areas where the Access to Justice team has litigated extensively (such as forced arbitration and federal preemption) and identifying new legal audiences who would find these materials useful; and
  • Connecting with civil rights, legal aid, and worker center attorneys to identify doctrinal obstacles to the use of class actions and injunctions to obtain widespread relief, and jointly developing cases to combat those obstacles.
  • Please note that we do not anticipate that the person in this position will be involved in litigating cases, though work on amicus briefs is possible.

 Qualifications

  • J.D. degree and at least three years of post-law school experience, which can include a clerkship or fellowship.
  • Excellent analytical, writing, and speaking skills and the ability to modulate writing and speaking style for different types of audiences.
  • Excellent outreach and networking skills.
  • 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.
  • Ability to develop a long-range plan and to set intermediate goals towards achieving those long-range objectives, including the ability to be flexible and shift goals as necessary.
  • Familiarity with, or interest in and ability to quickly gain familiarity with, the Access to Justice Project’s areas of substantive focus.
  • Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of, and ability to work well with, individuals and groups from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to follow-through.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Healthy sense of outrage and desire to change the world for the better.
  • Community or labor organizing experience a plus.
  • Existing connections to the legal aid or civil rights legal community is preferred.

We offer a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We recognize and support healthy work-life balance policies, including operating on a four-day work week year-round. We also offer a generous benefits package, including three weeks of paid vacation, two weeks of sick leave, and two personal days each year, all federal and some local holidays, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, and a 401(k) plan. Our attorneys are paid on a salary scale based on years out of law school. The starting annual salary for an attorney 3 years out of law school is $79,000.  Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement, including remote work, based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered.

Applications

Your application should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file, comprised of a legal brief or persuasive memo for which you were the primary author (please note the contributions of others). 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 staffattorney@publicjustice.net. Reference “Access to Justice Project Attorney Organizer” in the subject line. The application deadline is March 31, 2023, at which point 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.

Public Justice EEO Statement

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ+ individuals; people of all genders; veterans; incarcerated individuals, 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 lhughes@publicjustice.net.

Background Check Policy

As an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of workers, Public Justice takes our duty to respect and honor the dignity of every employee seriously and balances this commitment with our responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for our team. As part of both these commitments, we will ask potential employees who have received a conditional offer of employment to consent to a narrowly tailored background check process. This process is limited only to specific inquiries regarding convictions related to financial fraud and violent crimes. We do not request, review or consider any information related to other matters, including consumer credit checks, non-violent drug offenses, sex work, or other past convictions with no history of violence, nor do we condone or participate in “dead naming” transgender applicants as part of this process. Public Justice strongly supports equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants regardless of any past history unrelated to job performance or skills.  Questions about our background check process should be addressed to Leroy Hughes by email at lhughes@publicjustice.net.

Food Project Staff Attorney

Food Project Staff Attorney

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Public Justice, a non-profit legal advocacy organization that pursues high impact lawsuits to combat social and economic injustice, protect the Earth’s sustainability, and challenge predatory corporate conduct and government abuses, is seeking to hire a litigator for a Staff Attorney position in our Food Project. The Food Project at Public Justice works to dismantle the current corporate-controlled exploitative food system and support a movement to achieve our vision of a food system that is both regenerative and equitable. The position is based in our Washington D.C. office and is open immediately. Our preference is for this position to be based in our Washington D.C. office, but we will consider applications from especially qualified candidates seeking to work remotely from other parts of the country. Because Public Justice handles litigation, education, and advocacy nationally, the position will entail some travel. The Food Project at Public Justice takes a multifaceted approach to build power and achieve a just, humane, and sustainable animal agriculture system. In our lawsuits, we partner with and represent farmers, rural communities, consumers, and workers who share our vision. In our advocacy, we amplify their voices and spread awareness of the systemic inequities that have allowed this corporate takeover of our food system and show policymakers and the public how they can support a return to farming focused on sustaining communities rather than extracting profit.

The Staff Attorney will report to the Food Project Litigation Director and work closely with Food Project staff and will also work collaboratively with Public Justice’s other attorneys, outside lawyers who support Public Justice’s work, and other public interest groups to further the Project’s goals. The Staff Attorney will also take a leadership role in building out the Food Project Attorney Network, which seeks to grow the number of attorneys fighting for a more just food system.

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with Food Project staff, allies, and clients to build and support the docket, including investigating, developing, and prosecuting cases. In working with the Food Project team on developing and maintaining their dockets the Staff Attorney will participate in the full range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including factual investigation, legal research and analysis, discovery, briefing, and oral advocacy.
  • Develop and engage in legal advocacy outside of court based on the ways in which the litigation intersects with policymaking and base building, including drafting and reviewing legislation; drafting rulemaking petitions, comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets and other materials; and participating in coalition meetings and events.
  • Support the Organizing Director and Litigation Director in the implementation of integrated advocacy initiatives, campaigns, and strategies.
  • Actively engage in outreach and participate in coalitions and collaborative networks to build relationships and support.
  • Help manage our case intake process and provide potential clients with resources.
  • Help build and train attorneys in the Food Project Network, a network of private attorneys who are challenging corporate misconduct in industrial animal agriculture, including developing materials designed to educate members of the public and the bar.
  • Other advocacy work to further the priorities of the Food Project at Public Justice.

Qualifications

  • Law school graduate with at least two to seven years of relevant legal experience preferred.
  • Preference given to applicants with at least two years of litigation experience. For the purposes of determining litigation experience, we will include clerkships and fellowships.
  • Admission to a State Bar.
  • Excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
  • Self-motivation and proven ability to work as part of a team.
  • Strong work ethic, initiative, and sound, yet creative judgment.
  • Willingness to travel extensively, meaning as much as once to twice a month more than half of the year.
  • Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of and the ability to work with individuals and groups from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
  • A strong desire to build a movement to achieve a more just food system.
  • Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that encourages collaboration.

We offer a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We recognize and support healthy work-life balance policies, including operating on a four-day work week all-year round. We also offer a generous benefits package, including three weeks of paid vacation, two weeks of sick leave, and two personal days each year, all federal and some local holidays, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, and a 401(k) plan. Our attorneys are paid on a salary scale based on years out of law school. Our attorneys are paid on a salary scale based on years out of law school. The salary for this position will be between $76,000–$94,500, depending on experience. Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement, including remote work, based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a:

  1. Cover letter that conveys why you are drawn to Public Justice’s mission and what makes you a good fit for the Food Project.
  2. Resume.
  3. Law school transcript (official or unofficial).
  4. Contact information for three references.
  5. Writing sample, preferably a legal brief or memorandum that is either unedited or only lightly edited by someone other than you. Please include a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else.

Your application should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, transcript, and references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by March 1, 2022, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit both files to staffattorney@publicjustice.net.

Public Justice EEO Statement

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ+ 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 lhughes@publicjustice.net.

Background Check Policy

As an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of workers, Public Justice takes our duty to respect and honor the dignity of every employee seriously and balances this commitment with our responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for our team. As part of both these commitments, we will ask potential employees who have received a conditional offer of employment to consent to a narrowly tailored background check process. This process is limited only to specific inquiries regarding convictions related to financial fraud and violent crimes. We do not request, review or consider any information related to other matters, including consumer credit checks, non-violent drug offenses, sex work, or other past convictions with no history of violence, nor do we condone or participate in “dead naming” transgender applicants as part of this process.

Public Justice strongly supports equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants regardless of any past history unrelated to job performance or skills. Questions about our background check process should be addressed to Leroy Hughes, Vice President of Operations, by email at lhughes@publicjustice.net.

Food Project Senior Attorney

Food Project Senior Attorney

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Public Justice is seeking to hire a litigator with at least eight years of relevant experience for a Senior Attorney position in our Food Project. 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.

The Food Project at Public Justice works to dismantle the current corporate-controlled exploitative food system and support a movement to achieve our vision of a food system that is both sustainable and equitable. We take a multifaceted approach to build power and achieve a just, humane, and sustainable animal agriculture system wherein litigation is one tactic in a larger effort for social change. In our lawsuits, we partner with and represent farmers, workers, rural communities, consumers, and advocates who share our vision. In our advocacy, we amplify their voices and spread awareness of the systemic inequities that have allowed this corporate takeover of our food system and show policymakers and the public how they can support a return to farming focused on sustaining communities rather than extracting profit.

The Food Project Senior Attorney will work across legal areas to lead and develop new cutting edge legal theories to hold corporations and the government accountable for their abuse. The attorney should be prepared to develop new legal theories in areas such as worker justice, consumer rights, and/or environmental law and think holistically about how to reform food industries. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, top-notch litigator with experience organizing or working closely with organizers.

The Senior Attorney will report to the Food Project Litigation Director and work closely with the Food Project Organizing Director and other Food Project staff. The attorney will also work collaboratively with Public Justice’s other attorneys, outside lawyers who support Public Justice’s work, and other public interest groups to further the Project’s goals. Our preference is for this position to be based in our Washington D.C. office, but we will consider applications from especially qualified candidates seeking to work remotely from other parts of the country. Because Public Justice handles litigation, education, and advocacy nationally, the position will entail some travel.

Responsibilities

  • Develop new cases aligned with the Food Project’s Strategic Plan; conduct factual investigations; develop legal theories; draft pleadings and briefs; and otherwise manage new and existing cases within state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
  • Litigate cases from beginning to end, performing all aspects of litigation.
  • Support the Organizing Director and Litigation Director by integrating litigation into integrated advocacy initiatives, campaigns, and strategies with our partners.
  • Develop and engage in legal advocacy outside of court based on the ways in which the litigation intersects with policymaking and base building, including drafting and reviewing legislation; drafting rulemaking petitions, comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets and other materials; and participating in coalition meetings and events.
  • Actively engage in outreach and participate in coalitions and collaborative networks to build relationships and support.
  • Supervise the work of Staff Attorneys, Law Fellows, and Law Clerks throughout the organization. Play an integral role in developing less experienced attorneys.
  • Help manage our case intake process and provide potential clients with resources.
  • Help build and train attorneys in the Food Project Network, a network of private attorneys who are challenging corporate misconduct in industrial animal agriculture, including developing materials designed to educate members of the public and the bar.
  • Other advocacy work to further the priorities of the Food Project at Public Justice.

Qualifications

  • Law degree and at least eight years of litigation experience. For the purposes of determining litigation experience, we will include clerkships and fellowships.
  • Admission to a State Bar.
  • Excellent litigation skills, including proven legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills, and ability to manage a litigation docket effectively.
  • Strong skills in communicating litigation and advocacy goals and messages to the media and public.
  • Ability to work independently and in collaboration with client partners and in leading a team.
  • Strong and demonstrated initiative, good judgment, creativity, and work ethic.
  • Ability and willingness to travel as needed for case work, court appearances, and presentations.
  • Commitment to serving the public interest, and a passion for the role of Public Justice and its mission.
  • Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of and the ability to work with individuals and groups from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
  • Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that encourages collaboration.
  • A strong desire to build a movement to achieve a more just food system.

We offer a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented approach, and a competitive compensation package. We recognize and support healthy work-life balance policies, including operating on a four-day work week all-year round. We also offer a generous benefits package, including three weeks of paid vacation, two weeks of sick leave, and two personal days each year, all federal and some local holidays, employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance premiums, and a 401(k) plan. Our attorneys are paid on a salary scale based on years out of law school. The annual salary range for this position is likely $93,500–$103,500. Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement, including remote work, based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a:

  1. Cover letter that conveys why you are drawn to the Food Project’s mission and the objectives of this position and how your experience fits with those objectives.
  2. Resume.
  3. Law school transcript (official or unofficial).
  4. Contact information for three references.
  5. Writing sample, preferably a legal brief unedited or only lightly edited by another, including a cover sheet explaining the extent of editing by someone else.

Your application should consist of two electronic files: (1) your cover letter, resume, transcript, and references in a single .pdf file; and (2) a writing sample in another .pdf file. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by December 1, 2022, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit both files to staffattorney@publicjustice.net with the subject line: “FP Senior Attorney.” To learn more about the Food Project, visit food.publicjustice.net.

Public Justice EEO Statement

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ+ 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 lhughes@publicjustice.net.

Food Project Communications Intern - Summer 2023

Food Project Communications Intern – Summer 2023

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The Public Justice Food Project seeks a Food Project Communications Intern for summer 2023 to join the Food Project team in support of our communications and outreach efforts. The Public Justice Food Project is the only legal project in the country focused solely on dismantling industrial animal agriculture and supporting a vision of animal agriculture that is free of extraction and exploitation. We believe we cannot make change alone, and that we must align ourselves with allies across movement sectors and combine litigation with basebuilding and narrative shift to create meaningful and lasting change.

Position Summary: The Food Project Communications Intern supports the Food Project team by creating written and visual content to engage different audiences, and expand people’s understanding of issues surrounding food, farming, work, climate, racial inequity, and more. The intern will also help with other communications and basebuilding efforts and will report to the Communications and Organizing Coordinator.

We are seeking applicants looking for communications, non-profit, and advocacy experience. Through this internship, you will gain valuable experience in advocacy-oriented writing, graphic design, and digital strategies. The ideal candidate for this position is a self-starter, with strong verbal, written, and visual communications skills, and an interest in the nonprofit sector. While the position may be remote, preference will be given to intern candidates based in/or residing in either the District of Columbia, or, the states of Virginia, Maryland and California. Applicants based in other states may also inquire about eligibility to apply for this internship opportunity.

Responsibilities

  • Create high quality, shareable written and visual content explaining the Food Project’s issue areas and work.
  • Distribute written and visual content across various channels, including social media, mass email communications, and blog posts.
  • Grow social media following and online presence while adhering to organizational guidelines.
  • Track social media and website analytics for the Food Project
  • Stay up to date on relevant news and share daily news clips with the Food Project team.
  • Assist with communications and project-related research.

Qualifications

  • Strong visual design skills and an interest in developing creative content for advocacy.
  • Strong writing skills and an interest in writing for advocacy
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to ask questions and seek out advice, as well as take the initiative to move projects forward when possible.
  • Team-oriented with the ability to work well independently.
  • Passionate about any of the issue areas related to the Food Project’s work: food and agriculture, labor justice, racial justice, environmental justice, or climate change.

We are seeking a candidate who can begin May/June through mid-August 2023. This is a paid position, which pays $17/hour. The intern will work 15-30 hours a week for a minimum of eight weeks. Start and end dates, as well as exact hours during the week, are flexible.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and examples of your visual or written content to Communications and Organizing Coordinator Masha Vernik at FPCommsIntern@publicjustice.net. Please submit your application no later than April 12, and reference “Food Project Communications Intern” in the subject line. Please indicate in your cover letter from what state or jurisdiction you would be working during the internship. For more information about the Public Justice Food Project, please visit our website: food.publicjustice.net.

Public Justice EEO Statement

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities; people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals; LGBTQ 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 are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email Lhughes@publicjustice.net. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. Public Justice requires those working in its offices to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations to this requirement based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief will be considered.

Public Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We value and promote diversity. Applications are invited regardless of race, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Click here to view our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy. 

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance submitting your application for employment online or need any accommodations, please email LHughes@publicjustice.net. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

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