Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Attorney - Students' Civil Rights Project
at Public Justice Foundation
🏢 About Public Justice Foundation
Public Justice Foundation stands out as a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that strategically pursues high-impact lawsuits to combat systemic injustices, focusing on social and economic inequality, environmental sustainability, and challenging corporate and government abuses. Unlike traditional law firms, it prioritizes mission-driven litigation that creates broad societal change, making it ideal for attorneys passionate about civil rights and public interest law.
About This Role
As Senior Attorney for the Students' Civil Rights Project, you'll lead or co-lead impact litigation and advocacy efforts aimed at protecting students' rights, involving everything from drafting briefs and arguing cases to supervising junior staff and engaging in policy work. This role is impactful because it directly addresses systemic issues in education through strategic legal action, potentially shaping national civil rights precedents.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting or reviewing a brief for an appellate court case on students' rights, followed by a strategy call with co-counsel and student organizers, then supervising a legal fellow's research on a new litigation opportunity. You could also spend time collaborating with the Communications team on a campaign to publicize a case, balancing courtroom work with broader advocacy efforts.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Public Justice Foundation Is Looking For
- Has 8+ years of litigation experience with demonstrated leadership in case management, including drafting briefs for both trial and appellate courts
- Possesses exceptional legal writing and public speaking skills, with the ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences like courts, agencies, students, and media
- Has experience in civil rights or education law, with a passion for social justice and a track record of progressive responsibility in advocacy work
- Can balance litigation duties with broader advocacy, such as policy review, coalition-building with student organizers, and collaborating on communications campaigns
📝 Tips for Applying to Public Justice Foundation
Highlight specific impact litigation cases you've led or contributed to, especially those related to civil rights, education, or social justice, quantifying outcomes where possible
Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with both trial and appellate brief drafting, as well as any work with amicus briefs or special legal projects
Demonstrate your ability to modulate communication styles by providing examples of writing or speaking for different audiences (e.g., legal briefs vs. public fact sheets)
Research and reference Public Justice's recent Students' Civil Rights Project cases or initiatives in your application to show genuine interest and alignment
Include examples of supervising junior attorneys or fellows, as this role requires mentorship and team leadership within the SCRP
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your passion for students' civil rights and how your litigation experience aligns with Public Justice's mission of combating social injustice", 'Provide concrete examples of your leadership in impact litigation, such as cases where you served as lead counsel or managed complex legal strategies', 'Detail your experience with advocacy beyond the courtroom, like policy work, agency comments, or collaboration with organizers, to show versatility', 'Express your interest in remote work and ability to thrive in a nonprofit environment focused on high-stakes, mission-driven cases']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Public Justice's recent Students' Civil Rights Project cases and publications to understand their strategic focus and legal approaches
- → Explore the organization's overall mission and history, including key victories in social and economic justice litigation
- → Investigate the SCRP's partnerships with student organizers or other nonprofits to grasp their collaborative advocacy model
- → Familiarize yourself with current civil rights issues in education, such as school segregation, disability rights, or free speech cases, that align with the project's goals
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without tailoring it to civil rights or education law, or failing to mention Public Justice's specific mission
- Overemphasizing corporate or defense-side litigation experience without connecting it to social justice advocacy
- Neglecting to provide examples of leadership in case management or supervision, as this role requires mentoring junior staff
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Public Justice Foundation!