POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position:Staff Attorney Litigation, Immigrant Justice Project

Location:Atlanta, GA

Overview:

The Immigrant Justice Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center works to protect the rights of immigrants and their children to ensure they are treated with fairness and respect for their dignity. Our work is focused in two main areas: (1) protecting migrant workers from exploitation and

(2) defending immigrants against unlawful government action, including challenging harsh anti-immigrant laws and practices; protecting the due process rights of detained immigrants facing immigration enforcement; and accessing education for immigrant children. In recent years, we have ended discriminatory practices that reduced immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses in Georgia and to voter registration in Louisiana. We have won millions of dollars in stolen wages and other compensation to migrant workers in states such as South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. We have recently launched a removal defense project to provide free legal representation to immigrants detained in southeastern detention centers, the Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (“SIFI”), to protect the due process rights of detained immigrants, win every meritorious deportation defense case arising out of immigration enforcement actions, and shutting down detention centers that cannot meet the basic constitutional requirements appropriate for civil adjudications.

Responsibilities:

  • Identify, coordinate, and lead advocacy and litigation opportunities under supervision of the Deputy Legal Director or Senior Attorney;
  • Analyze legal developments and provide technical assistance to allies, immigrant communities, and partner organizations;
  • Foster relationships with local NGOs and immigrant communities;
  • Collaborate with the Deputy Legal Director and Policy Counsel and to identify and support the advancement of state and local policy priorities and testify to legislative bodies upon request;
  • Collaborate with the Deputy Legal Director and the Communications Department to develop communication strategies around cases and campaigns; serve as spokesperson upon request;
  • Communicate regularly with SPLC staff across the southern region about cases, campaigns, and strategies;
  • Represent SPLC in various fora, including before community groups, legislatures, and state agencies, and the press; and
  • Other duties as may be assigned to meet SPLC needs.

Qualifications (Education and Related Work Experience):

  • JD from accredited university;
  • Excellent research and writing skills;
  • Membership in good standing the Georgia bar or willingness to sit for the next Bar Exam

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

  • Ability to prioritize responsibilities and have fun in a high-energy, fast-paced work environment;
  • Excellent and consistent attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;
  • Aptitude for and willingness to be a team player;
  • Bilingual in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the Southeastern United States (e.g., Vietnamese or Arabic).

Other Special Considerations:

  • This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Disclaimer:

  • The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation and national origin. We reasonably accommodate staff members and/or applicants with disabilities, provided they are otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at:

  • and
  • Along with a resume, please submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages, a cover letter, three references, and unofficial transcript

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