Students’ Civil Rights Project Staff Attorney

January 2025

Job Announcement PDF 

Public Justice, 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 liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability—seeks to hire a staff attorney with civil rights litigation and advocacy experience for its Students’ Civil Rights Project.

Who We Are

Public Justice 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. In particular, we ensure access to the civil justice system, protect students’ civil rights, fight to end modern-day debtors’ prisons, enforce the nation’s most important environmental laws, and much more.

Public Justice’s Students’ Civil Rights Project (SCRP) 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. We represent students at all stages of litigation, including pre‐suit negotiations, litigation in trial courts, appeals, and oppositions to cert petitions. Some of our ongoing and recent matters include:

• Doe v. South Carolina, a class action lawsuit on behalf of a trans student in South Carolina, and other trans students like him, who are prohibited by state law from using restrooms consistent with their gender identities

• Shelby v. Huntsville City Board of Education, a case on behalf of the parents of a student who died by suicide after experiencing anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and race discrimination at an Alabama school

• Williamson v. Heritage Preschools LLC, a suit on behalf of the family of a Black toddler who was singled out for excessive discipline at a private pre-school in Alabama and eventually expelled because of his race

• Brown v. State of Arizona, a successful appeal before the en banc Ninth Circuit, which we subsequently defended from a cert petition, concerning whether a school can be liable under Title IX for causing a student to be abused by a classmate in an off-campus residence

• Snyder-Hill v. The Ohio State University, a Title IX lawsuit seeking to hold a university accountable for enabling one of its physicians to sexually abuse hundreds of male students, student-athletes, and others during the physician’s two decades of employment

We also engage in policy and media advocacy on issues that affect our clients, create educational materials for students, families, and lawyers, and collaborate with other advocates, including student organizers. For more information about the SCRP’s work, visit our website here.

What We Are Looking For

The person selected for the SCRP Staff Attorney role will have at least four years of relevant experience, though attorneys with more experience are encouraged to apply. The attorney’s key responsibilities are listed below. The SCRP Staff Attorney will report to SCRP Director Adele Kimmel and may be based in Washington, DC or work remotely. Because Public Justice handles litigation and advocacy nationally, the position will require travel. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in the investigation and development of impact litigation, amicus briefs, and special legal projects that further the strategic goals of the SCRP and the mission of Public Justice.

• Participate in the full range of the SCRP’s litigation responsibilities, which primarily include legal research and analysis, briefing, oral arguments, client communications, and settlement negotiations, as well as occasional factual investigation and discovery.

• Develop and engage in a broad range of legal advocacy through and outside the courts (including reviewing legislation; drafting comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets and other materials; participating in meetings and events; and coordinating with student organizers) regarding the SCRP’s advocacy priorities.

• Work in partnership with the SCRP’s Senior Communications Strategist and other members of the Communications Department to develop and implement storytelling campaigns to educate the public, policymakers, lawyers, community organizers, grassroots supporters, reporters, and others about the racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic barriers to equal access to education.

• Build networks and collaborate with allies, including Public Justice’s Board of Directors and members, to fight the racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia that shape educational institutions’ policies, procedures, practices, and training, as well as how our civil rights laws and regulations are interpreted and enforced in the education arena.

• Speak at conferences, webinars, and other events about issues relevant to the SCRP’s work.

• Participate in strategic planning and other planning initiatives for the SCRP.

• Assist with promoting and reporting on the SCRP’s work to prospective funders.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Law school graduate with at least four years of relevant litigation and advocacy experience. (For the purposes of determining litigation experience, we will include clerkships and fellowships.)

• Admission to a state bar and willingness to gain admission to the DC bar if not based in CA or DC.

• A passion for making our education system more equitable by eliminating race- and gender-based discrimination in schools and holding schools accountable when they allow such discrimination to impede students’ access to education.

• 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.

• Creativity, initiative, strong work ethic, and sound judgment.

• Ability to juggle multiple tasks at a time.

• Willingness to travel.

• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

• Ability and willingness to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work community that thrives on collaboration.

Preference will be given to applicants with civil rights litigation experience in the education arena. Litigation and advocacy experience on racial and gender justice issues is a plus.

Salary and benefits

We offer a mission-focused work environment, a teamwork and community-oriented work culture, and a competitive compensation package. We implement healthy work-life balance policies, including operating on a four-day work week all year round. We also offer a generous benefits package, including at least 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 current annual salary for an attorney who graduated law school in 2020 is $109,350.

How to Apply

Please email the following materials to staffattorney@publicjustice.net using the subject line “SCRP Staff Attorney”:

• Cover letter that conveys why you are drawn to the SCRP and how your experience makes you a strong candidate for this position.

• Your resume.

• Your law school transcript (official or unofficial).

• Contact information for three references.

• Two writing samples, including at least one legal brief. Writing samples should be unedited or only lightly edited by someone other than you; if you submit an edited sample, please include an explanation of the extent of editing by someone else.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by February 14, 2025, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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 encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. People of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Please visit this link to read our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access policy statement: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access.

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.

Campaign Strategist

January 2025

Job Announcement PDF 

Public Justice seeks an experienced and creative campaign strategist to develop and execute outreach, education and visibility campaigns across the organization’s program areas. 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 creative and strategic communications skills to work on some of the most important issues facing our country today.

The Campaign Strategist will work with Public Justice staff to develop and execute a strategy for stakeholder engagement in advocacy and communications efforts that expand the community of advocates engaged in the organization’s work, change and shape the national conversation on issues at the heart of Public Justice’s mission and deepen our collaboration and partnership with diverse communities. This position will provide high-level, strategic communications support to Public Justice communications and program staff. The ideal candidate should have a strong track record of designing and implementing successful public education and advocacy campaigns. This is a remote position and is open to candidates from anywhere in the country and reports to Public Justice’s Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Branding.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic vision from start to finish for campaigns of all sizes, including execution and performance evaluation
• Create comprehensive campaign strategies incorporating tactics for social media, digital video and communications, community partnerships and engagement and other outreach efforts

• Coordinate rapid response communications strategies that ensure Public Justice’s voice is effectively heard and is contributing to national debates and conversations around key issues
• Work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders representing many diverse issues and communities
• Partner with Public Justice communications strategists in key program areas to identify campaign issues, media and other visibility opportunities to elevate Public Justice’s voice and work
• Coordinate and execute events related to issue-area campaigns to educate the public and decision-makers about Public Justice’s work, recruit new advocates and stakeholders interested in the organization’s mission and develop partnerships to support Public Justice campaigns and the organization.
• Assist with the development of an organization-wide communications and engagement plan
• Attending coalition meetings, speak to allied communities and groups and increase grassroots activism on Public Justice issues.
• Build support for reforms by mobilizing Public Justice members and the public through direct outreach

Requirements and skills

• • Ability to frame a problem, analyze options, and explain how to find an effective response to fast-breaking political and advocacy issues
• • Understanding of modern campaign techniques, media platforms and technology
• • Proven ability to coordinate rapid response campaigns related to breaking news or policy issues
• • Ability to identify and strategically target key audiences and communities
• • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• • Strong organizational, time management and project management skills
• • Ability to work in and adapt to a fast-moving, team-oriented virtual environment
• • 5-7 years’ experience in campaign management or campaign consulting

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 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 an exempt position with an expected salary range of $80,000 – $85,000 per year, depending upon experience.

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, a sample work product relevant to the Campaign Strategist position, and contact information for two (2) references to Steve Ralls, VP, Communications, Marketing & Branding, with the subject line ‘Campaign Strategist’ to sralls@publicjustice.net.

Application Deadline

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by February 14, 2025, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Digital Media Associate

Remote

January 2025

Job Announcement PDF 

Public Justice is seeking a full-time entry- to mid-level Digital Media Associate to join our growing communications 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 an exciting opportunity to play a key role in expanding our organization’s digital presence and advancing our advocacy efforts across all digital channels.

The Digital Media Associate will assist with content creation, digital communications, and grassroots outreach. Working within a small but dynamic communications team, this role will offer hands-on experience across various media platforms while developing skills in strategic digital communications. We are seeking a candidate with tangible experience growing social media engagement, who can bring creative ideas and a results-driven approach to advancing Public Justice’s mission online.

This is a remote position and is open to candidates from anywhere in the country and reports to Public Justice’s Director of Digital Communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Content Creation & Strategy: Develop, create, and manage compelling content across all digital channels, including social media, website, and email campaigns. Work with Communications and Development team to develop content for attorney and non-attorney audiences and key stakeholders, including members, donors, partners, and organizational allies. This includes using tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bonterra/EveryAction to create and manage high-quality, impactful content.

• Social Media Management: Manage the organization’s social media calendars, ensuring consistent posting across platforms. Use scheduling tools like Buffer and Meta Business Suite to plan, organize, and monitor content distribution.
• Audience Growth: Grow social media following and online presence while maintaining our design and adhering to organizational guidelines
• Website Management: Update and maintain website content using WordPress and Elementor to reflect current campaigns and organizational priorities.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work with departments to amplify initiatives and ensure cohesive messaging.
• Community Engagement: Respond to followers, foster dialogue, and build relationships online.
• Analytics: Track and analyze key metrics to inform strategies.

Qualifications

• Creative thinking and the ability to adapt to new trends and platforms.
• Experience working with progressive advocacy organizations, campaigns, or legal advocacy groups.
• Proven experience in social media management, including demonstrated success in creating consistent, impactful content as part of a brand or campaign. Skilled at driving measurable growth in social media engagement through strategic audience interaction and effective calendar management.
• Experience with graphic design & videography.
• Experience with web content management systems (WordPress), mass email programs (Bonterra/EveryAction), and social media management systems (Buffer).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

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 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 position with an expected salary range of $58,500 – $65,000 per year, depending upon experience.

To Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, three references and a short writing sample to Toyo Ubaldo at tubaldo@publicjustice.net with the subject line ‘Digital Media Associate’. Please provide links to social media accounts which you have created or managed content. The application deadline is February 27, 2025, at which point applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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.

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