Department: Law Legal Clinic
Salary/Grade: EXS/10
Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,900 - $115,000per per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Job Summary: Position Overview The Project seeks an experienced, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven Staff Attorney to help build and expand its legal, policy, educational, and community-based work. The Staff Attorney will manage legal matters and advocacy initiatives; identify and develop strategic litigation and policy opportunities; oversee intake, case assessment, and referral systems; cultivate partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, legal advocates, and other stakeholders; and contribute to the Project's long-term strategic growth and visibility.
Role and Responsibilities The Staff Attorney provides strategic legal leadership and exercises substantial independent professional judgment in developing and managing litigation, policy advocacy, client matters, and other strategic initiatives. The Staff Attorney may serve as lead or co-lead counsel on appropriate matters; directs legal research, factual investigation, case strategy, client communication, and matter management; serves as a primary representative of the Project to courts, agencies, community organizations, advocacy partners, schools, universities, faith-based organizations, and other external stakeholders; and works closely with Project leadership to identify emerging issues and advance the Project's legal and advocacy priorities.
Position Details The position has year-round legal, advocacy, and project-development responsibilities and is based at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in downtown Chicago, with flexible working arrangements consistent with University and Law School policies.
Specific Responsibilities: Legal Advocacy, Litigation, Intake & Case Management - Provide strategic legal leadership through direct representation, litigation, case assessment, and legal advocacy that advance the Project's mission.
- Serve as lead or co-lead counsel, as appropriate, on litigation and legal advocacy matters addressing antisemitism, discrimination, and related civil rights concerns.
- Exercise substantial independent professional judgment in developing legal theories, litigation strategy, case planning, and advocacy approaches.
- Manage legal matters from intake and preliminary case evaluation through representation, referral, or resolution.
- Conduct client interviews, factual investigations, witness preparation, and sophisticated legal research.
- Handle all phases of litigation, as appropriate, including discovery, depositions, motion practice, oral argument, hearings, and trials.
- Draft and review memoranda, complaints, pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery, and other legal documents.
- Maintain primary responsibility for client communications, deadlines, case tracking, outcomes, and file management.
- Develop and manage referral systems and identify matters appropriate for representation, strategic advocacy, or referral.
- Coordinate with pro bono counsel, legal service providers, and partner organizations involved in litigation or advocacy efforts.
Community Engagement, Coalition Building & External Partnerships - Build and sustain relationships that expand the Project's reach, deepen community trust, and strengthen coordinated responses to antisemitism.
- Serve as a primary external representative of the Project to community organizations, synagogues, student groups, schools, universities, faith-based organizations, legal advocates, and other stakeholders.
- Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships that advance the Project's legal, policy, educational, and community-engagement priorities.
- Convene and participate in coalition meetings, roundtables, working groups, and other collaborative forums focused on antisemitism, hate incidents, discrimination, and civil rights.
- Develop referral networks and community partnerships that help identify cases, emerging legal issues, and opportunities for strategic intervention.
- Create opportunities for collaboration among community organizations, legal advocates, academics, educators, and policymakers.
Policy Advocacy & Public Affairs - Advance policy solutions and public-facing advocacy that address antisemitism and strengthen civil rights protections.
- Monitor legal, legislative, regulatory, and policy developments related to antisemitism, discrimination, and civil rights, including developments under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Develop policy strategies and draft recommendations, reports, comments, testimony, advocacy materials, and other written work addressing emerging issues affecting Jewish communities.
- Coordinate policy and advocacy efforts with coalition partners, community organizations, legal advocates, and other stakeholders.
- Engage policymakers, public agencies, educational institutions, and other decision-makers on issues within the Project's mission.
- Represent the Project in public discussions, conferences, forums, and other appropriate venues addressing antisemitism and related civil rights issues.
Public Education, Programming & Community Resources - Develop educational initiatives and resources that increase legal awareness, strengthen community response, and promote informed public dialogue.
- Develop and deliver trainings, workshops, community forums, speaker programs, and other educational initiatives on antisemitism, civil rights, and related legal issues.
- Develop educational materials, legal resources, and practical guidance for community members, educators, institutions, attorneys, and other audiences.
- Organize and deliver Know Your Rights and Speaking Up Against Hate presentations for K-12 schools and other community audiences throughout the Chicagoland area.
- Contribute substantive expertise to conferences, public programs, and other Project initiatives.
Strategic Leadership, Project Development & Organizational Effectiveness - Advance the Project's long-term strategic priorities, infrastructure, visibility, and organizational effectiveness.
- Partner with Project leadership to identify strategic opportunities for litigation, policy advocacy, community engagement, education, and program growth.
- Develop and improve systems and processes for intake, referrals, case tracking, matter management, and evaluation of Project activity.
- Contribute substantive content and strategic direction to communications, digital resources, website materials, reports, and public-awareness efforts.
- Support special initiatives, partnership development, and other projects designed to expand the Project's reach and impact.
- Represent the Project in institutional initiatives and collaborative projects across the Bluhm Legal Clinic and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances) - J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active membership in good standing in the Illinois bar, or active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and the ability to obtain Illinois bar admission within six months of hire.
- Three to five years of relevant legal experience in litigation, civil rights, public-interest advocacy, policy work, or a closely related field.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.) - Excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues clearly and persuasively to varied audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage legal matters and strategic advocacy initiatives while exercising sound professional judgment.
- Demonstrated litigation and core lawyering skills, including factual investigation, legal drafting, client communication, case management, and advocacy.
- Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to build respectful, productive relationships with clients, community organizations, educational institutions, legal advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
- Creativity, initiative, and an entrepreneurial orientation appropriate to building and expanding a developing multidisciplinary initiative.
- Strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to represent an organization effectively in public and professional settings.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines and constituencies.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience) - Active Illinois bar membership in good standing.
- Experience handling complex litigation or civil rights matters in federal or state court.
- Experience developing or implementing policy advocacy, legislative, regulatory, or public-affairs strategies.
- Experience in coalition building, stakeholder engagement, community lawyering, or partnership development.
- Experience developing community-based programs, trainings, or public education initiatives.
- Experience working with K-12 schools, universities, workplaces, faith-based organizations, or other institutional settings on discrimination or civil rights matters.
- Familiarity with Jewish communities, including culture, traditions, institutions, and contemporary issues affecting Jewish communities.
- Experience coordinating with pro bono counsel, legal service organizations, advocacy groups, or interdisciplinary partners.
- Experience identifying and developing strategic litigation or advocacy opportunities through referrals, community relationships, policy developments, or emerging events.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities) - Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage respectfully and empathetically with clients, community partners, educators, institutional leaders, and coalition members.
- Comfort and fluency with digital platforms, web content, social media, and multimedia formats as tools for public education and advocacy.
- Demonstrated public speaking, training, facilitation, or media experience.
- Knowledge of federal and state civil rights frameworks relevant to discrimination in educational, employment, and community settings.
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more
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