Job: Research Associate, Justice Program

Research Associate, Justice Program

The Brennan Center for Justice is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on the fundamental issues of democracy and justice. Our work ranges from voting rights to redistricting reform, from access to the courts to presidential power in the fight against terrorism. A singular institution – part think tank, part public interest law firm, part advocacy group – the Brennan Center combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector.

The Justice Program is seeking a Research Associate for a two-year position providing research and administrative support to its Access to Justice Project. The Access to Justice Project conducts policy analysis, research, counseling, and litigation to strengthen legal representation and access to the courts for low-income individuals and families in civil and criminal legal matters. Current initiatives include challenging funding laws that restrict the work of legal aid lawyers on behalf of low-income clients, championing a right to counsel in high-stakes civil cases, improving court interpreter services, and working to improve the delivery of indigent defense services nationally.

Responsibilities will include:

• Authoring the Legal Services E-lert, a weekly e-mail bulletin providing 2,500 subscribers with news about civil legal aid;
• Corresponding with activists and advocates in the civil justice community;
• Organizing a wide range of constituencies to support expanded access to civil legal aid and to the courts;
• Conducting legal and non-legal research;
• Providing litigation assistance and document management;
• Updating the website for the Access to Justice Project; and
• Performing administrative work, including: entering data, preparing foundation reports, handling photocopying, correspondence, filing, and scheduling.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent writing skills;
• Strong analytic and research skills;
• Experience in public policy analysis, journalism, law, and/or organizing;
• Creativity in ferreting out information, and attention to detail;
• Confidence in reaching out to advocates and activists around the nation;
• Inclination to collaborate with others;
• Interest in using law and public policy to fight poverty and protect the rights of low-income communities;
• Enthusiasm for administrative tasks;
• Humor, initiative, and openness to evolving responsibilities; and
• A bachelor's degree (individuals with JDs or PhDs will not be considered).

Salary/Benefits:

• Salary is commensurate with experience.
• Excellent benefits package.

Application:

Please send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and three references by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with Research Associate, Justice Program in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

We encourage applicants to submit their applications early. Our review of applications will begin in March 2008. The anticipated starting date for this position is late May 2008. A firm two-year commitment is required.

For more information about the Brennan Center, visit our website: www.brennancenter.org.

The Brennan Center for Justice is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, which welcomes qualified applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, including people who have been previously incarcerated.