The Constitution Project (TCP), a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., seeks a Staff Attorney to work on a criminal justice research and writing project. The position is for one year.
About Us:
TCP’s mission is to promote constitutional rights and values by forging a non-ideological consensus aimed at sound legal interpretations and policy solutions. Since its inception in 1997, TCP has brought together highly respected experts from many disciplines and political ideologies to examine a host of government policies and practices that pose difficult constitutional problems. Typically organized into bipartisan, blue ribbon committees, these unlikely allies forge consensus-based solutions, often published in comprehensive reports. TCP promotes these recommendations through education, scholarship, and legal and policy efforts at the state and federal levels. Through the work of its Death Penalty Committee, TCP has long supported efforts to improve fairness and accuracy in the administration of the death penalty, but does not take a position on whether any jurisdiction should have capital punishment.
About the Job:
The Staff Attorney will work with TCP staff, outside experts and practitioners, and former policymakers to conduct extensive research and analysis of specific death penalty-related laws and processes, as well as critical components of the broader criminal justice system. On the basis of that research and analysis the Staff Attorney will draft sections of a comprehensive report about the administration of capital punishment.
The position is for one year – preferred start date mid to late January 2016. The position presents the opportunity to work on critical criminal justice issues in a challenging, fast-paced environment, with high-profile members of the state and national legal communities.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have:
• A law degree from an accredited law school
• One to two years’ legal experience (in the area of criminal justice preferred)
• Outstanding research and writing skills
• A proven ability to work as a member of a team
• The ability to work independently and to manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment
Ideal candidates will also have some combination of:
• Experience and working knowledge of state and federal death penalty laws and processes
• Experience in bipartisan environments
• Experience conducting investigative research on, and familiarity with, the criminal justice system
TCP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome candidates who contribute to the diversity of our staff.
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, résumé, references, and a brief writing sample to the attention of Brian Yourish, via email at byourish@constitutionproject.org (including “LAST NAME – Staff Attorney” in the subject line).
Application deadline: January 10, 2016.