Staff Attorney

Harvard University

$95K — $115K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • JD degree and admission to a state bar
  • 3+ years of post-graduate legal experience
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Project management expertise
  • Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Commitment to the mission of ending mass incarceration

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships within the advocacy ecosystem.
  • Identify and cultivate opportunities for new campaigns.
  • Craft overarching strategies for involvement in ongoing advocacy efforts.
  • Lead execution of research and advocacy strategies through written deliverables.
  • Manage litigation and client relationships effectively.
  • Oversee and select junior team members for the advocacy team.
  • Assign and supervise work for research assistants and interns.

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Immediate medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Retirement plans with contributions from the university
  • Access to wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Institute to End Mass Incarceration (IEMI) is a research and advocacy institute within Harvard Law School dedicated to building the intellectual leadership, public understanding, and practical tools necessary to end mass incarceration. IEMI operates at the intersection of research, advocacy, and public engagement.

IEMI seeks to hire a staff attorney to lead research, advocacy, and coalition building work with respect to the Institute's Carceral Infrastructure Project. The staff attorney will play a key role driving forward substantive work related to efforts to understand and prevent the expansion of mass incarceration's physical footprint. Reporting to the Executive Faculty Director, this position focuses on collaborating with coalitional partners, leading the production of written research and advocacy materials, helping to design advocacy strategies for specific campaigns, and leading execution of the Institute's advocacy work in this subject matter area.

This is an individual contributor role that requires strong project management, legal research and writing, and collaboration skills. The staff attorney will also from time to time oversee the work of research assistants, interns, and student attorneys.

As a Staff Attorney you will:
  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with affiliated organizations and actors.
  • Identify and cultivate opportunities for new campaigns.
  • Develop, in coordination with the Executive Faculty Director, overarching strategies for the Institute's involvement in ongoing campaigns and in other ecosystem partnerships.
  • Take primary ownership for executing research and advocacy related strategies, including creating written deliverables (briefs, white papers, etc).
  • Take primary ownership for driving forward litigation and related advocacy, including managing client relationships, co-counsel relationships, and litigation preparation and execution.
  • In coordination with Executive Faculty Director, identify, screen, and help select junior members of the Institute's Advocacy Team (including research associates, interns, and fellows etc).
  • Craft assignments for and oversee the work product of said junior team members, as directed by the Executive Faculty Director.


Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

JD degree, at least 3 years of relevant post-graduate experience, and admission to a state bar.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have:
  • Commitment to the mission, goals, and values of Inquest and the Institute to End Mass Incarceration.
  • Strong writing and editing skills.
  • Strong project management ability.
  • Comfort managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.


Additional Information

Appointment End Date: This is a one-year term appointment with potential for renewal, subject to departmental funding and need.

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Certification/License

Other Information: All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Harvard University

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Staff Attorney jobs: