The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), a progressive legal and educational organization, is seeking an attorney for its Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative.
The Guantánamo project at CCR resulted from the Supreme Court victory in Rasul v. Bush in June of 2004 which asserted the right of Guantánamo detainees to challenge their indefinite confinement, through the mechanism of habeas corpus petitions filed in federal court. Since then, CCR has recruited and trained hundreds of attorneys from across the country and secured habeas representation for the vast majority of the 390 men currently held in Guantánamo Bay. CCR has been a leader in both coordinating this effort and in implementing the litigation strategy for this massive human rights movement in both domestic courts as well as numerous international fora.
CCR is seeking a junior attorney to work with a team of three other lawyers and two paralegals, on the Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative. For more information on the Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative, please visit our website at www.ccr-ny.org.
Job Responsibilities
The job may include some or all of the following duties:
• Serve as co-counsel on Guantánamo habeas cases, including attorney-client meetings at Guantánamo;
• Assist in providing litigation support to over 500 habeas attorneys, including coordinating efforts of habeas counsel through regular conference calls, distribution of model pleadings and other activities;
• Develop creative litigation strategy through collaboration, research and writing;
• Tracking and analyzing relevant legislative developments and opportunities;
• Occasional travel, in the Middle East or elsewhere, to meet with families of detainees, former detainees, international press and media, and foreign diplomats;
• Explore, through diplomatic and international channels in home countries of Guantánamo detainees, possibilities for release or transfer from Guantánamo;
• Explore channels for resettlement for detainees who cannot return to their countries of origin;
• Participate in international advocacy efforts on behalf of the detainees, including work with UN treaty bodies, Special Rapporteurs and NGOs;
• Respond to press inquiries and actively participate in press strategy discussions;
• Participate in meetings with CCR donors, supporters and the public to inform them about Guantanamo developments. This will include travel outside of NYC;
• Undertake additional assorted administrative and logistical tasks.
Compensation:
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and in accordance with CCR’s attorney salary scale. Benefits include pension plan, escalating vacation beginning with three weeks, sick leave, holidays, and 100% organization paid health benefits for employees including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance.
Additional Qualifications:
Qualified candidates shall have:
• Exceptional research, writing and oral communication skills and recommendations;
• J.D. degree. Admission to the New York Bar preferred; if hired, must become admitted to New York Bar.
• 1-5 years experience as a lawyer;
• Knowledge of and/or experience in one or more of the following areas of law: international human rights, international humanitarian, habeas, constitutional;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize amongst multiple highly-demanding projects under tight deadlines;
• Excellent public speaking, organizational and collaborative skills and initiative;
• Interest in and ability to supervise interns and project paralegal(s);
• Willingness to apply for U.S. national security clearance (note that individuals must be U.S. citizens or have dual citizenship in order to apply for clearance).
How to Apply:
Contact:
Qualified candidates should mail a cover letter with salary requirements, resume, writing sample, and three references to: GGJI Attorney Search Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, 7th floor, NY, 10012 or e-mail to ggjiattsearch@ccr-ny.org with “GGJI Attorney Search” in the subject line. E-mail applications are preferred. Deadline for application is March 16, 2007. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and strong consideration will be given to early applications.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
CCR IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ACTIVELY RECRUITS WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DIVERSE GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITIES.