Posted on August 31, 2012

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Special Counsel

Founded in 1999 by Alan Lowenstein and his wife Amy, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (“Institute”) has been referred to as a social justice “think and do tank.” It is involved in a range of activities designed to expand equity and opportunity for low-income and minority residents of Newark and other urban areas in New Jersey. The Institute’s work is directed in three major initiatives: (1) The Four R’s Initiative—Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Reaching for Opportunity (promoting work, workforce development, and education); (2) the Urban Asset Protection and Creation Initiative (combating predatory lending and addressing consumer finance, foreclosures, etc.); and (3) the Equal Justice Initiative (addressing juvenile and criminal justice issues). In addition, the Institute has embarked on two Emerging Research Initiatives: (1) Healing the City (addressing healthcare disparities and healthcare reform-related employment opportunities through research and catalyzing partnerships); and (2) Technology and Opportunity (addressing access to broadband/computers and the technology literacy necessary for employment). The Emerging Research Initiatives allow the Institute to explore issues through research and new partnerships.

The Institute employs a broad range of tools to further its agenda, including litigation, legislative drafting and campaigns, applied policy analysis and research, the development of pilot programs, consultation to government and other non-profits, large-scale convenings and mobilization, and public education. A sampling of NJISJ’s activities includes: (1) the first appellate court decision in the country recognizing predatory lending as a civil rights violation and a Supreme Court victory doubling the group of criminal defendants eligible for New Jersey’s very successful Drug Court alternative to incarceration; (2) coalition-building and lobbying resulting in the passage into law of comprehensive prisoner reentry reforms heralded by the New York Times as a “model for the nation”; (3) the issuance of a report highlighting New Jersey’s driver’s license suspension system as a major impediment to employment for urban and low-income workers i n the state, and the implementation of a pilot court program addressing this reality; (4) the development of New Jersey’s first community court and only youth court; (5) the development of a demonstration program that has enabled more than 400 recent urban high school graduates to enter the building construction trade unions and has served as a model for the state’s commitment of up to $30 million to replicate the program; and (6) a leadership role in changing juvenile detention practices throughout the state, resulting in more than 1,000 years’ reduced detention days in Essex County alone. Additional information about the Institute can be found at www.njisj.org.

The Institute’s Legal Program works across the entirety of the organization’s program. Some recent activities include (in addition to the items set forth above): (1) participation as amicus curiae in a recent Supreme Court victory expanding eligibility for criminal record expungment; (2) securing a gubernatorial pardon, the only one granted to date by Governor Christie, for an individual who had been disqualified from his job on the basis of a 40-year-old minor conviction; (3) testifying and successfully advocating for the issuance of enhanced guidance by the U.S. EEOC to allow those with criminal records to compete for work without disparate impact discrimination; (4) participation in broad-based coalition and production of research reports analyzing key juvenile justice issues including the time youth in juvenile justice facilities may be placed in isolation and the practice of “waiving” juveniles for trial as adults; and (5) creation of th e nation’s only program providing pro bono legal civil legal services to persons with criminal records.

The Special Counsel will work with the Institute’s legal director and other staff to advance the Institute’s legal advocacy agenda including research, initiation of litigation, amicus participation, relationship-building, project development, and policy advocacy. These efforts will expand on the Institute’s existing advocacy, research and programmatic activities, and will take advantage of the Institute’s strong relationships with local public interest organizations and law firms.

The ideal candidate will have (none of these should be considered, in isolation, absolutely required or preclusive):

• strong academic credentials;
• a demonstrated commitment to social justice;
• at least five (and preferably more) years of litigation and/or public policy experience in a field or fields related to the Institute’s activities (e.g., housing, economic development, employment, criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, civil rights);
• a track record of success in social justice advocacy, litigation and/or public policy;
• strong research, writing and oral communication skills;
• membership in the New Jersey bar or a willingness to obtain such;
• sensitivity to urban issues;
• ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
• ability to fundraise, in conjunction with the Institute’s development director and other colleagues;
• experience managing relationships with pro bono law firms;
• experience developing and managing effective advocacy efforts from conceptualization through implementation;.
• strong communication skills, presence, and manner to represent the Institute well in the community, before governmental bodies, and to law firms;
• judgment, savvy, and the people skills necessary to work well with those from all walks of life;
• proven advocacy skills;
• supervisory experience and the ability to work well with less experienced staff and community and legal coalitions, and junior staff; and
• energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and a sense of humor.

Application Instructions

Salary is commensurate with experience. Applications, including a cover letter, resume and writing sample should be submitted to Kelly Dougherty, Chief of Staff/CFO, by email to kdougherty@njisj.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and early submission is encouraged. NJISJ is an equal opportunity employer.