The Legal Director will work in partnership to help develop the vision for Pregnancy Justice's legal strategy, which includes: impactful criminal defense representation, criminal justice reform, affirmative civil rights litigation, policy advocacy, education and training, and research. The Legal Director will supervise the day-to-day operations of the legal team and its staff, ensure professional development and growth opportunities, work in close collaboration with the communications and development teams, and will be a member of the senior leadership team. The Legal Director will be instrumental in developing a long-term vision to not only defend individual rights, but also position Pregnancy Justice to be an influential changemaker of constitutional and statutory law at the state and federal levels.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate and co-create a new strategic framework alongside new leadership and in discussion with the legal team
- Programmatic leadership to the team of attorneys, fellows, and program staff in research and policy
- Oversee and develop a vision of growth and an integrated legal strategy to build on the organization's work in litigation, broader policy making and narrative change that protects pregnant people
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor degree and an active member in good standing with a State Bar Association (New York State is highly desired); litigation experience that includes experience in federal and/or state courts, appellate practice, criminal defense, or constitutional law.
- Unwavering commitment to the mission and work of Pregnancy Justice with a big picture, strategic, birds-eye view of the criminal justice, drug policy, reproductive rights, gender justice, and reproductive justice movements.
- At least 12-15+ years of professional experience in criminal defense, criminal justice reform, civil and human rights, reproductive justice, and knowledge of their intersections preferred.
- Successful strategic leadership experience in a high-impact organization
- Proven people management skills to lead a motivated, engaged, and partially-remote team; an inclusive management style that places deep value on diverse perspectives and emphasizes the development and growth of team members and encourages learning and continued improvement.
- Experience utilizing multiple tools - including impact litigation, policy advocacy, and narrative change, to further a cause, ideally in a social justice context.
- Knowledge, lived, or professional experience and awareness around criminalization of pregnancy within various states and municipalities.
- Ability to think and partner across systems, sectors, and social justice movements to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared outcomes.
- Deep understanding of, commitment to, and experience advancing racial equity and justice work, internally and externally to an organization.
- Natural connector and strong relationship builder with an authentic interest in listening to and learning from others.
- Commitment to personal and professional continuous improvement.
- A leader who is disciplined and focused while also being agile and adaptive