Overview
Alliance for Justice (AFJ), a 501(c)(3) national association of nearly 140 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy, and Alliance for Justice Action Campaign (AFJ Action), an affiliated 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, are seeking a Director of State Courts.
AFJ envisions a vibrant, ambitious, multi-racial democracy where historically marginalized voices are amplified to upend exclusionary systems and center justice in our institutions of power. AFJ works towards that vision by building the strength of progressive movements with training and education for nonprofit organizations on advocacy, while harnessing their collective power to transform our state and federal courts.
AFJ has two primary programs:
· Our Justice Program works to ensure that our state and federal courts protect our democracy and advance other core constitutional values, preserve human rights and access to justice, and adhere to the even-handed administration of justice for all. An essential part of this program is working to vet and advance a pool of diverse, highly qualified state judicial nominees as well as lead a complementary and coordinated campaign to educate the public about why state supreme courts matter. We also promote structural and policy reforms to ensure our courts provide equal justice under the law;
· Our Bolder Advocacy Program works with nonprofits and foundations to help them navigate the rules surrounding 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PACs so they can be more courageous and effective in their advocacy.
AFJ Action promotes a national conversation about the importance of the courts by educating and mobilizing progressive advocates and voters. We educate voters and encourage them to fight for judges who will protect our rights. AFJ Action also holds elected leaders accountable for the judges they appoint to the bench. We conduct research and arm advocates, elected officials, political leaders, and the media with the tools to elevate the courts during elections.
The Director of State Courts will have experience relating to the broad range of legal policy issues handled by AFJ and AFJ Action and will report to the Justice Program Director.
Job Purpose:
State courts are critical to our justice system. In general, they handle over 95% of the nation’s cases, more than 70 million cases every year. They are also the source of more than 30 percent of federal judges. And now, because conservatives hold a majority on the U.S. Supreme Court and scores of lower courts, state courts are increasingly vital to protect our essential rights, including the right to vote, and our democracy. State courts have become increasingly political, with conservative money pouring into state races at unprecedented rates.
AFJ and AFJ Action are committed to defending our state courts with as much vigor as they defend us. AFJ and AFJ Action have been leading on state supreme court issues since 2020. AFJ educates the public about the importance of judicial races and advocates for the appointment of judges committed to equal justice. AFJ Action helps co-lead a coalition of progressive organizations dedicated to the ensuring that our state supreme courts are filled with demographically and professionally diverse judges committed to upholding and expanding our rights and democracy through state constitutions.
The Director of State Courts will oversee AFJ and AFJ Action’s work to raise awareness about the importance of the state judiciary; to develop strategy, leverage relationships and networks; to grow the team’s strategy, capacity, and work; and to directly engage in state court appointments and campaigns.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of State Courts will be familiar with the landscape of state supreme court judicial selection across the country and will ideally have direct experience engaging in selection advocacy or elections. The person serving in this position will:
· Develop strategy and set AFJ/AFJ Action program priorities related to promoting the importance of state supreme courts and the justices who sit on them.
· Direct AFJ/AFJ Action’s advocacy related to state courts – including engagement in judicial campaigns and all advocacy post-appointment – and manage staff to execute program priorities.
· Manage (including hiring, supervision, discipline, and firing) unionized state courts staff currently comprised of a Regional State Courts Senior Manager and Regional State Courts Counsel, ensuring staff is empowered and supported in meeting team and organizational goals as well as growing in their responsibilities and maximizing professional development.
· Coordinate with Director of Building the Bench to set strategy, goals, and priorities for AFJ/AFJ Action’s pre-appointment advocacy with merit selection commissions, gubernatorial selection, or other selection methods.
· Assist the Director of Building the Bench with preparing and advocating for demographically and professional diverse candidates, especially movement lawyers, for the state supreme courts.
· Oversee research and materials development, working with Communications, Outreach, and other AFJ/AFJ Action teams, for all AFJ/AFJ Action projects related to the state courts, including projects connected to judicial candidates. Substantive materials include reports, vetting documents, op-eds, blog posts, fact sheets, other materials for grassroots and voter education, media, and other audiences for AFJ/AFJ Action programs and campaigns.
· Maintain public facing research and campaign content such as online State Courts Hub and AFJ Action state courts content to ensure materials are timely and accurate.
· Work with Outreach team to strengthen and expand AFJ/AFJ Action’s engagement with organizations and individuals in key states. Represent AFJ/AFJ Action to other organizations as part of coalitions on issues related to state courts.
· Lead, working across Outreach and Comms teams, convenings, strategy sessions, and coalitions of national and state-based progressive groups engaged in the courts.
· Oversee research campaigns, including coordination with law firms, outside counsel, law students, and non-attorney volunteers.
· Speak at legal and policy conferences, serve as a media surrogate on behalf of AFJ/AFJ Action, and brief policymakers, academics, member organizations and other audiences on all issues related to state courts.
· Work with the development, and executive teams to secure funding for AFJ/AFJ Action state court programs, including assisting with grant reports and proposals.
· Advise the Justice Program Director, VP of Strategy, and AFJ President on all issues related to the state courts and help prepare AFJ President for public appearances.
· Help develop and regularly report on the progress that the state courts team has made towards key performance indicators and implementing AFJ’s strategic plan.
· Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
· J.D. and 8+ plus years of experience in legal policy or legal advocacy work preferred.
· Strong familiarity with landscape of state supreme court judicial selection, with experience in advocacy or state level political elections preferred.
· Staff management experience, including hiring, supervising and supporting staff to achieve outcome-oriented results, strong delegation skills, and supporting professional development.
· Strong project or campaign management experience, with demonstrated ability to prioritize and keep multiple projects on track.
· Solid understanding of nonprofit organization operations (including the difference between c3 and c4 appropriate activities) and familiarity with the progressive nonprofit sector and nonprofit advocacy, especially grassroots advocacy campaigns, GOTV work, other election-related activities, community organizing, and / or legislative advocacy.
· Demonstrated experience breaking down legal topics to non-legal audiences.
· Exceptional analytical, writing, and speaking skills.
· Experience with fundraising and grant writing preferred.
· Experience with media and public appearances preferred.
· Demonstrated commitment to public interest and civil rights law.
· Experience in civil rights, labor, environmental, consumer and/or constitutional legal movements preferred.
· Ability to work quickly under pressure, with shifting deadlines and priorities.
· Attention to detail.
· Long hours and some travel required.
· Ability to inspire and work collegially with others.
· Strong interpersonal skills and positive attitude.
Other Details:
Structure – This is an exempt position with at least two direct reports including, but not limited to, a Counsel and a Senior Manager.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work – This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Physical Demands – This position requires the ability to travel domestically and work long hours when needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
Other Duties – Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Location – This is a fully remote position but travel to/from the Washington, DC office will be required at times.
Racial Equity – Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity
in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.
Compensation and Benefits:
The starting salary range for candidates with the above qualifications is $125,000-$131,000. AFJ also offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program:
Health – We offer medical, dental, vision benefits, as well an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.
Savings – Save for retirement with our 401K plan with employer matching. Health savings account and flexible spending account. Other insurances include life and disability.
Time Off – We have a generous paid time off policy. Vacation: 21 days per year. Sick: 10 days per year. Bereavement: Employees 3 days per year for deaths in the immediate family (spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, grandmother, etc.).
Family – We provide up to 12 weeks paid family leave.
How to Apply:
Qualified applicants please submit a letter of interest and resume on our website at https://www.afj.org/about/careers. (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).
If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email alicia.peyton@afj.org.
AFJ/AFJ Action provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.