Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10012
Reports to: Legal Director with day-to-day supervision provided by IHR attorneys
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) seeks a legal worker for its international human rights docket, which is comprised primarily of international human rights cases brought in U.S. courts under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) and the Torture Victim Protection Act, and also advocacy in international bodies.
For over 40 years, CCR has been dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CCR grew out of the civil rights struggle in the South and is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change. Specific focuses have included the integration of international human rights law into claims brought in U.S. court and pressing the U.S. government to follow international law.
In 1980, CCR won the landmark Filártiga v. Peña-Irala, obtaining justice in a U.S. court for the torture and murder of a 17 year-old Paraguayan citizen in Paraguay, and creating a right to sue under the ATS for human rights violations occurring anywhere in the world. Since 1980 CCR has continued to litigate cases under the ATS, bringing legal claims against those with command responsibility, U.S. officials and multinational corporations. CCR’s current cases against multinational corporations include Wiwa v. Royal Dutch/Shell, for the killing and torture of human rights activists and protestors in Nigeria, and Corrie v. Caterpillar, on behalf of Palestinians killed and injured in home demolitions, and a human rights defender who was killed trying to stop a home from being demolished. In response to the revelations of torture and other ill-treatment in the detention facilities in Iraq, including Abu-Ghraib, CCR filed a suit against two contractors participating in the torture (Saleh v. Titan). CCR also continues to work on cases against foreign and U.S. officials responsible for human rights violations, including Doe v. Constant, on behalf of three Haitian women who survived attempted killings, rapes, and other forms of torture at the hands of a Haitian paramilitary group led by Emmanuel “Toto” Constant; Matar v. Dichter, against an Israeli official responsible for a “targeted assassination” that killed 15 Palestinians; and Belhas v. Ya’alon, against a former Israeli official. CCR has also brought claims in U.S. court and international fora on behalf of women who survived gender violence, and on behalf of the family members of those who were killed as a result of such violence.
For an in-depth look at CCR’s legal programs, applicants are encouraged to review our website, www.ccr-ny.org.
Responsibilities:
• Monitor Alien Tort Statute list serve and draft monthly update for human rights advocates;
• Assist with preparing, filing and serving legal documents;
• Manage case files and monitor docket calendar;
• Assist with other litigation tasks, including correspondence, research, and discovery;
• Provide administrative support, including scheduling meetings, note-taking, and making travel arrangements;
• Deal with new tasks and responsibilities as they arise.
Compensation:
Salary is commensurate with experience and subject to union collective bargaining agreement. 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:
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights/social justice work;
• Superior communication, interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and priorities;
• Computer literacy and proficiency required, and listserv experience a plus;
• Ability to work as a member of a team;
• Paralegal training and/or experience a plus;
• Integrity and a sense of humor.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates should mail a cover letter with salary requirements, resume, writing sample, and three references to: IHR Legal Worker Search Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, 7th floor, NY, 10012 or e-mail to lwsearch@ccr-ny.org with “IHR Legal Worker Search” in the subject line. E-mail applications are preferred. 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.