Senior Staff Attorney

Job Title: Senior Staff Attorney

Areas of Practice: Policing, FBI/CBP, Prisoners?/Incarceree Rights, Employment Discrimination & Accommodation, Land use, School Bullying, University Campus issues, Denial of service, Harassment/Intimidation, Other Civil Rights abuses

Reports to: Executive Director or Operations Director

Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt) At-Will

Hybrid: 3 days remote, 2 days at the office per week

Location: 570 Broad St. Suite 703 Newark, New Jersey

About the Organization:

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America?s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group, has about 35 offices and chapters nationwide. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. The demand for our services has grown tremendously. CAIR New Jersey strives to ensure that Muslims in New Jersey enjoy the same protections that all Americans have. The CAIR-NJ staff has quadrupled in the last four years and CAIR-NJ is committed to investing in the legal department. The legal work is the service-oriented ?bread and butter? of CAIR, and CAIR-NJ desires a robust legal department.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, New Jersey office (CAIR-NJ) is looking for a qualified, passionate, and talented individual to lead the Legal Department and represent CAIR-NJ clients. This individual would lead a team of attorneys, a paralegal, and an intern, and CAIR-NJ would seek to hire an additional paralegal and employ legal fellows. We are seeking an individual capable of managing the organization?s civil rights work and growing its impact. Join a quickly growing and influential team that defends civil rights on behalf of American Muslims fulfilling a private-sector vacuum. CAIR-NJ aligns with Islamic values and beliefs.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manage caseload and supervise related casework
• Coordinate legal intake process with other staff, case selection, and case referral.
• Participate in all aspects of CAIR-NJ litigation
• Participate in alternative dispute resolution
• Work strategically and collaborate with CAIR-NJ staff including the advocacy and media departments
• Participate in community education (such as Know Your Rights workshops)
• Assist in the production of reports and written documents
• Build or maintain relationships with clients, affected communities, law firms, law schools, legal clinics, and allied legal groups, to advance the organization?s legal and policy work.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree (American Bar Association accredited school) with admission in good standing with the NJ Bar.
• At least 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income and under-served communities
• Knowledge of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (especially Title VII) and First Amendment. Knowledge of EEOC and other administrative procedures

Bonus, non-Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the American Muslim community
• Experience drafting claim letters
• Experience in organizing and/or working in coalition spaces to advance the rights of low-income and under-served communities.
• Proficiency with legal research and proficiency with legal search engines
• Bilingual skills in a relevant language

Commitment to the mission:

• Passion for the mission of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, including a strong commitment to securing the civil rights and justice for Muslim-Americans and their families.

Interpersonal skills:

• Be independent and self-motivated, require minimal supervision
• Ability to work fluidly with staff, who may also be Muslim-American.
• Must be able to work flexibly to deal with different cultural norms, educational backgrounds, and professional skills.

Compensation:

• Annual Salary of $95,000 ? $110,000, commensurate with experience
• Fully paid health insurance for employee
• Up to 3% retirement matching contribution
• 12 paid holidays, 12 days paid vacation, 5 sick days, and 7 personal days per year

Other Benefits:

• CAIR-NJ is invested in the professional development of its staff. The hire will have access to mentors through the CAIR National & Chapter Legal Network and can attend periodic legal training held by CAIR National. CAIR-NJ will also seek other means of mentorship.
• CAIR-NJ provides unlimited access to a Practicing Law Institute membership for online, virtual and in person Legal CLEs, business cards, and malpractice insurance
• CAIR-NJ provides an inclusive and supportive work environment for professional growth and advancement
• CAIR-NJ provides a hybrid remote/in-person work schedule (3 days remote, 2 days at the office per week)
• Mileage/travel reimbursement for business travel (going to court, meetings, workshops etc.)
• Annual NJ attorney registration reimbursement.
• Offers flexible ad-hoc remote working options to ensure a balanced approach to productivity.
• Offers comprehensive health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, after health.

How to Apply:

All those interested and eligible to work in the U.S. (citizens or proper work visa holders) are encouraged to apply. Please submit:

(1) Cover letter

(2) Resume

(3) Three references

(4) Legal writing sample

Application Deadline: Interviews conducted on a rolling basis.

CAIR-NJ is an equal opportunity employer.