Compensation: $65,000- $87,000 commensurate with skills and experience.

Start Date: ASAP

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana. Frequent travel is required.

Deadline: Application deadline is May 2, 2025, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received as soon as possible.

About PJI

Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.

PJI moves life-changing work:

Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.

We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse. 

The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.

Summary of Position

PJI’s legal department is nimble and strives to meet the moment we’re in. It has a track record of securing landmark wins, including Ramos v. Louisiana, in which the United States Supreme Court found that non-unanimous jury convictions (Jim Crow Juries) were unconstitutional. The PJI civil litigation team has spent a decade fighting off executions in Louisiana through litigation challenging lethal injection and gassing as cruel and unusual methods of killing people. The team is also currently litigating forced labor in prisons, the detention of incarcerated people past their release dates, and the deprivation of proper medical care for people in prison, among other challenges.

This position requires a commitment and belief in the ethos that our clients and their families are valuable, have answers, and should be consulted and heard because they are humans and because what we learn from our clients impacts the strength of evidence and influences litigation strategy. All attorneys at PJI are expected to center their clients in their legal practice and regularly visit in person, in prison, or elsewhere.

The Staff Attorney position will:

·       Draft legal pleadings, motions, memorandums, and other documents needed;

·       Assist with case development, strategy, and procedure;

·       Serve as counsel in PJI’s civil litigation cases;

·       Represent clients in court;

·       Maintain high standards for diligent client communication;

·       Meet with clients in prisons and local jails;

·       Contribute to all stages of civil litigation, including investigation, discovery, motions practice, trial;

and monitoring

·       Work in a team environment with shared goals and values;

·       Communicate with partner organizations and pro bono counsel;

·       Other duties and responsibilities as required to meet PJI’s needs.

In addition to litigation, the Staff Attorney must assist in developing the litigation tools for PJI’s multi-pronged campaigns, which include policy and organizing. Staff Attorney will examine litigation for opportunities for cross-organizational support as well as local and larger movement campaign strategies.

Who We Are Looking For

This work is hard on every level. PJI optimistically and strategically fights for a better future and requires staff who are committed to one another and to people who are incarcerated or otherwise harmed by the criminal legal system.

PJI is committed to hiring smart, talented, skilled people who have directly experienced the issues that we fight against. People who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, working class, LGBTQ+, and people of color, particularly Black, are all strongly encouraged to apply.

You will be a great fit if you are eager to build a social movement lawyering practice, assist with case and campaign development, and individual case and long-term strategy. Staff attorneys at PJI are committed to an ethos that our clients and their families are valuable, have answers, and should be consulted and heard, both because recognizing and respecting our clients’ humanity is central to this work, and because what we learn from our clients impacts the strength of evidence and influences litigation strategy.

Key Qualifications

·       Law degree and admission to the Louisiana Bar preferred, or eligibility and willingness to sit for the next Louisiana Bar

·       3-5 years of experience practicing civil law

·       Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism

• Ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact investigation in impact litigation, policy and legislative advocacy settings, sometimes under tight deadlines

• Superior analytic skills and excellent research skills

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·       Experience with civil discovery

• Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet deadlines

·       Willingness to work outside of traditional work hours when needed

Exceptional candidates will have:

·       Experience working with people impacted by the criminal court system.

·       Track record of strong client advocacy

·       Experience working on federal civil rights cases

·       Experience with class action litigation

·       Experience with claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $65,000- $87,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

**Salary levels are guided by PJI’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

•  Flexible paid time off, most Federal holidays, Fridays off in August, and winter holiday season off.

  • 24 office closure days (almost 5 work weeks)

  • 6 days of Paid Time Off initially; 25 days after 3 years

• ·       100% payment of health insurance (including partner and dependent insurance)

• ·       Health and Dependent Care FSA

• 5% 401k match after 6 months of employment

• Short and long-term disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Union representation: The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) represents eligible employees at PJI. This role is a bargaining unit position.

How to Apply

Submit your application package containing the following at the button below:

1.     Cover letter. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages, and should detail:

• How your personal and professional experience intersects with people impacted by the carceral system and racism (both).

• How law and organizing can shift power. 

• The skills or expertise that you've gained as a civil litigator that you are most excited to bring to this position. 

2.     Resume or CV

3.     Email address for 3 References:

• 2 people who can speak to your professional skills.

• 1 person who can speak to how you think about or engage in racial justice issues.  (this can be family, friend, colleague, mentor etc.)

Deadline: Application deadline is May 1, 2025, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received as soon as possible.