Staff Attorney - Special Litigation Project

Mobilization for Justice (MFJ), a non-profit legal services organization that provides a wide range

of free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers, is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our

Special Litigation Project (SLP). MFJ created the SLP in 2020 to expand and strengthen the scope

of our impact litigation and law reform work. The SLP works closely with staff across MFJ’s core

program areas (Housing, Economic Justice, Disability and Aging Rights, and Children’s Rights)

to identify systemic problems affecting MFJ’s clients. The SLP focuses on problems that have a

significant racial justice component and that would benefit from impact or class action litigation

and law reform work. The SLP develops and litigates cases in federal and state court with co-counsel partnerships, serves as a resource on litigation strategy for MFJ attorneys, and engages in

non-litigation advocacy on issues of concern.

MFJ’s mission is to achieve justice for all. MFJ prioritizes the needs of people who are low-income, disenfranchised, or have disabilities as they struggle to overcome the effects of social injustice and systemic racism. We provide the highest-quality free, direct civil legal assistance, conduct community education and build partnerships, engage in policy advocacy, and bring impact

litigation. MFJ also promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, and understands

the need to eliminate all racial disparities to achieve justice for all.  We assist more than 14,000

New Yorkers each year, benefiting over 24,000. MFJ has a staff of more than 165 attorneys,

paralegals, social workers, and support staff. It is a diverse, unionized, and collegial workplace

where staff share the organization’s mission to achieve social justice.

The Staff Attorney’s key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Attending project meetings and speaking with advocates throughout MFJ to learn more

about the systemic problems their clients are facing.

• Investigating, developing, and litigating a wide range of impact and class action matters

addressing due process and other civil rights violations in the areas of special education,

law enforcement, public benefits, and immigration; discrimination in employment,

housing, and credit; and predatory lending and other consumer protection issues.

• Collaborating with other public interest legal organizations and private firms on systemic

investigations, litigation, and other forms of non-litigation advocacy, including community

organizing, media work, and lobbying.

• Drafting amicus briefs and offering litigation support and strategy to other MFJ projects

and external organizations.

Requirements:

• J.D. and admission to the New York State bar.

• At least five years of affirmative litigation experience in state and federal trial and appellate

courts, including experience with class actions and other complex litigation as well as

amicus briefs.

• Excellent research, writing, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to independently manage cases and balance

competing deadlines.

• Demonstrated commitment to MFJ’s mission and goals, including its pursuit of racial and

social justice.

• Fluency in Spanish, a Chinese dialect, French Creole, or Bengali is a plus.

Salary is pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement with excellent fringe benefits. The salary

range for this position is $94,079.63 to $108,322.12.

How to apply: applicants should email a (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) writing sample (10-page

max), and (4) three references to recruitment@mfjlegal.org with “Special Litigation Project Staff

Attorney 2024” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter a statement about how your

background or experience might contribute to the diversity and perspective of our office and the

SLP’s work with low-income populations. Please also indicate where you saw this posting. No

telephone calls, please. Candidates selected for consideration will be scheduled for an interview.

For more information about MFJ, please go to www.mobilizationforjustice.org.

For more information about the SLP, please go to www.mobilizationforjustice.org/projects/special?litigation-project/.

MFJ IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive

consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national

origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual

orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic

protected by law. BIPOC, women, people with disabilities, and LBGTQIA+ candidates are

encouraged to apply.