For Immediate Release: August 9, 2021

 

Employment Opportunity: Senior Staff Attorney

The Rutherford Institute is seeking an attorney experienced in civil rights and constitutional law to act as its Senior Staff Attorney.  The attorney will telecommute / work remotely as part of TRI’s national office on a variety of civil liberties issues.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Senior Staff Attorney is responsible for coordinating the legal aspects of both the pro bono litigation and public education aspects of the Institute’s mission.  Responsibilities include tracking and reporting on the law related to emerging civil liberties and human rights issues and assisting in the development of legal positions regarding these issues. 
 
The Senior Staff Attorney also is responsible for managing and coordinating the litigation activities of the Institute, including the following: communications with prospective clients and conducting due diligence review of possible civil rights claims presented by members of the public; communicating with Institute affiliate attorneys from around the country about representing clients on a pro bono basis and advising affiliates on the substantive and procedural law related to civil rights claims; and drafting pleadings, memoranda, and briefs for filing at the trial and appellate levels.  The attorney also is responsible for overseeing the Institute’s robust amicus curiae program, which involves the filing of amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal circuit and district courts, and state appellate courts in cases involving significant civil rights and constitutional law issues.  The Senior Staff Attorney will monitor cases before these courts, determine those of interest to the Institute, and communicate with affiliate attorneys about assistance with the drafting and filing of amicus briefs in selected cases. 
 
With respect to both litigation and amicus activities of the Institute, the Senior Staff Attorney will be involved in drafting press releases about significant developments in those cases.  The attorney also is responsible for communications with members of the public seeking legal information and assistance, and managing the selection and work of law interns throughout the year.
 
Candidates should be able to start working immediately.
 
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have excellent research and analytical skills, an ability to write clearly and communicate effectively, and a commitment to civil liberties and public interest law. Litigation experience, preferably in federal courts, is a plus. Candidate must have positive attitude, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and a willingness to deal with a broad range of routine and spontaneous deadlines. Applications should consist of a current resume, the names and phone numbers of three references, and at least one legal writing sample.
 
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience, with an excellent benefits package provided.
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applications should include a cover letter, a resume, two letters of recommendation and two writing samples, at least one of which should be a legal research memo, brief or article. Applicants who have graduated from law school within the last five years should include a law school transcript. Applications should be emailed to: [email protected].
 
ABOUT THE RUTHERFORD INSTITUTE: The Rutherford Institute is a legal and educational organization dedicated to defending civil liberties. The Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose national headquarters is located in Charlottesville, Va., is comprised of a full-time staff and a network of volunteer affiliate attorneys across the United States.  Institute attorneys handle a full range of cases in the realm of civil liberties and human rights.  The Institute’s multi-faceted approach of integrating litigation and educational opportunities has made it a formidable leader in defending and teaching the Constitution. The defense of civil liberties and human rights through litigation and education are at the heart of the Institute’s mission. The work of TRI’s National Legal Dept. involves challenges to our constitutional freedoms.

Information on the Institute’s activities within these areas is available online at www.rutherford.org.