Hrdc Staff Attorney Job Opening 5.9.13
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Human Rights Defense Center: Staff Attorney Job Opening Job Description The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) is seeking a full-time staff attorney in its Lake Worth, FL office. HRDC is a nonprofit organization that advocates in furtherance of the human rights of people held in U.S. detention facilities. This includes people in state and federal prisons, local jails, immigration detention centers, civil commitment facilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs jails, juvenile facilities and military prisons. HRDC is one of the few national opponents to the private prison industry and is the foremost advocate on behalf of the free speech rights of publishers to communicate with prisoners and the right of prisoners to receive publications and communications from outside sources. HRDC also does significant work around government transparency and accountability issues by filing and litigating public records and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases at the state and federal levels. HRDC also provides representation in cases involving catastrophic injuries to or the deaths of prisoners. Responsibilities: The attorney will primarily litigate Section 1983 and FOIA cases in Federal Court, and will also litigate cases under state public records laws. The attorney will be expected to handle all phases of complex civil litigation and maintain an active case load, although all cases at HRDC are handled cooperatively among all in-house attorneys. The attorney will be directly supervised by the Litigation Director and will work with in-house legal support staff. In most cases, the attorney will coordinate and work with co-counsel from various jurisdictions across the country. The attorney will occasionally be expected to travel to various jurisdictions around the country. Qualifications: A minimum of five years post-graduate experience is preferred but exceptions will be made for exceptional candidates with less experience. The successful candidate will have excellent writing and analytical skills, experience litigating ยง 1983 cases, a demonstrated commitment to improving the criminal justice system, and a personal interest in the preservation and advancement of civil liberties and individual rights. Judicial clerkships are acceptable as experience. The attorney must be admitted to the Florida Bar, must be self-motivated, energetic, capable of working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, and able to adjust to shifting priorities. Salary/Benefits: Salary is competitive with other public interest law firms in the area and will be set depending on experience. HRDC offers a benefits package including health and dental insurance. Application: Send resume and cover letter to Lance Weber, Esq., Litigation Director at lweber@humanrightsdefensecenter.org. No phone calls please. The position will remain open until filled. HRDC is an equal opportunity employer. Formerly incarcerated persons are strongly encouraged to apply.