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 § 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.