• Impact for Equity seeks a dynamic and experienced attorney with a demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice to join our Criminal Legal System team as Staff Counsel. The successful candidate will be flexible, creative, and comfortable working independently and within a team on multiple projects of varying complexity. This is an exciting opportunity to provide vision, leadership, and support on some of the most vital social justice issues of our time.

    This Impact for Equity Staff Counsel will develop laws, policies, and programs; create and implement advocacy strategies; and, as appropriate, engage in litigation, to promote the goals of the Criminal Legal System program. In cooperation with the Program Director and other Impact for Equity colleagues, this Staff Counsel works independently and within a team on multiple projects of varying complexity.

    Requirements
    • Three or more years of relevant experience in public interest law, impact litigation or policy advocacy required;
    • Exceptional legal and policy research skills;
    • Exceptional communications skills, including writing and public speaking, with an ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences;
    • Experience engaging in creative problem solving, including an ability to craft novel and successful advocacy strategies, including policy advocacy, legislative advocacy, and/or litigation;
    • Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, including impacted individuals, community members and leaders, community-based and ally organizations, policymakers, professional subject matter experts, and funders; experience working with directly impacted people, community-based organizations, community organizers, and/or coalitions;
    • A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a passion for social justice and Impact for Equity’s mission;
    • Ability to develop complex projects and establish a systematic course of action to ensure successful project completion;
    • Ability to synthesize a lot of information, juggle multiple projects and priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, and adhere to deadlines;
    • Ability to remain attentive to details, spot issues, utilize available resources and seize opportunities to develop innovative solutions;
    • Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgement;
    • Ability to travel;
    • Knowledge of and/or experience working on an issue or issues related to the criminal legal system is a plus, but not required;
    • Multilingual skills are a plus, but not required; and
    • Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Illinois Bar.