Senior Supervising Attorney, Criminal Justice Reform
Jackson, MS
To read the full position description and review application instructions, click download.
Website: Southern Poverty Law Center
Executive Summary
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a leader in the fight against hate and bigotry in the United States, is seeking nominations and applications for a new Senior Supervising Attorney (SSA) in the significantly expanding Criminal Justice Reform practice group. Joining a legal team that uses impact litigation and policy advocacy as its primary tools for pursuing justice and equal rights, the Senior Supervising Attorney will lead the implementation of SPLC’s criminal justice reform agenda in Mississippi, and manage a highly-talented team in using all possible tools – including litigation, legislative campaigns, and public advocacy – to advance the rights of all.
As fear, political and cultural division, hatred, and economic uncertainty persist in the American consciousness, and manifest in discriminatory policies, speech, and actions, individuals across the country are reigniting their commitment to equal justice. Southern Poverty Law Center’s Legal Department is growing in response to the increased demand to protect Americans whose civil rights are being threatened in cities and states across the country. Over the last 12 months, the growth of this team has been unprecedented. Under the guidance of Deputy Legal Director Lisa Graybill, the Criminal Justice Reform practice group is growing to meet the goal of delivering systemic reforms. Not only is Mississippi among the top ten states nationally in its rate of incarceration, its history of systemic racism resonates in every aspect of the criminal justice system, from over-policing, to draconian sentencing policies, to horrific conditions of confinement, to collateral consequences that ensure that even when people leave prison, they are not free.
The new Senior Supervising Attorney will report to the Deputy Legal Director, Lisa Graybill and collaboratively develop the vision and strategy for criminal justice reform in the state. Together with a team of litigators, policy counsels, advocates, and support staff, the SSA will use every tool at his/her/their disposal to challenge the structural racism that has infected the criminal justice system in the state, and continues to result in mass incarceration and the disproportionate incarceration of Black men, Black women, other people of color and those living in poverty. Specifically, the SSA will be responsible for developing and litigating impact cases raising constitutional and statutory claims in Mississippi and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. The SSA will engage in litigation and public advocacy of civil rights issues relating to practices in policing, prosecution, sentencing, incarceration, and probation/parole. This may include, but will not be limited to, advancing sentencing reform and addressing unconstitutional conditions in Mississippi’s juvenile, adult, and immigrant detention facilities. The SSA will lead the team in addressing other issues such as: the denial of due process in the criminal justice system; racial disparities; collateral consequences of justice system involvement; the provision of indigent defense; and over-policing or police misconduct.
The ideal candidate will be an exceptionally talented litigator, strategist, and manager with an interest in civil rights litigation, and for equity and constitutional compliance at every stage of the criminal justice system. He/she/they will bring at least seven (7) years of litigation experience and two (2) years successfully managing and leading a highly-talented team and be barred in, eligible to waive in, or willing to sit for the next bar exam in Mississippi.
To Apply
This search is being conducted with assistance from Tamar Datan and Hallie Dietsch of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please send nominations and/or applications including cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), and where you learned of the position to: SPLC-SSAMS@nonprofitprofessionals.com.
Southern Poverty Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Our Lead
Tamar Datan
Tamar brings 30 years of nonprofit experience in the fields of conservation, education, economic development, social justice and philanthropy to our mission-driven clients.