Staff Attorney

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Job Title: Staff Attorney

Department: Civil Rights

FLSA: Exempt

Status: Full-Time

Job Reports to Trial Attorney leading the cases you are assigned to

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is $83,100 to $95,565 annually. Candidates can expect to be offered $83,100 as a new hire in the role.

Brief Description: CAIR is seeking a talented Staff Attorney to join its civil rights department at this crucial time in our nation’s history.

Essential Functions/Duties

The Staff Attorney will be primarily responsible for:

• Performing legal research and drafting legal documents, including answers, motions, and other routine court filings
• Drafting written work product, including legal and research memorandums and other legal documents, as requested
• Drafting demand letters and engaging in alternative dispute resolution to resolve civil rights cases outside court intervention
• Representing clients during FBI interrogations
• Assisting trial attorneys with various aspects of litigation, including, but not limited to, client interviews, factual investigation, legal research, discovery, preparation of trial documents, negotiations, trials, and appellate work
• Participating in speaking engagements about civil rights issues facing the American Muslim community
• Training and coaching of CAIR staff as requested
• Attend continuing legal education seminars and keep abreast of changes in the law through reading or other means

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction)
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments and meet deadlines; must be able to work well both independently and in a team environment
• Basic knowledge of federal court practice
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral skills
• No disciplinary actions on record or pending
• Ideal candidates have a minimum of 3 years’ prior associate-level experience in civil rights
• An understanding of civil rights issues relating to American Muslims
• Passion for the mission of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Ability to communicate in a language other than English is a plus