Impact for Equity seeks a dynamic and experienced attorney with a demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice to join our Housing team as Staff Counsel. The successful candidate will be flexible, creative, and comfortable working independently and within a team on multiple projects of varying complexity. This is an exciting opportunity to provide vision, leadership, and support on some of the most vital social justice issues of our time.
This Impact for Equity Staff Counsel will develop laws, policies, and programs; create and implement advocacy strategies; and, as appropriate, engage in litigation, to promote program goals. In cooperation with the Program Director and other Impact for Equity colleagues, this Staff Counsel works independently and within a team on multiple projects of varying complexity.
Responsibilities:
-Conduct legal and policy research and analysis to develop and implement laws, policies, and programs, and, as appropriate, engage in impact litigation, to promote program goals;
-Explore, develop, and implement advocacy strategies and projects to address inequities within the housing system, informed by legal and policy research, data analysis, and the expertise of directly impacted people and communities;
-Participate in, support and/or build coalitions, partnerships, and task forces, working to strategize, engage collaboratively;
-Prepare written materials including policy reports, issue briefs, op-eds, fact sheets, legal and policy memoranda, and legal briefs;
-Work with communications staff and colleagues to help develop and implement communication strategies and messaging to elevate Impact for Equity advocacy efforts and serve as spokesperson upon request;
-Build and maintain a deep working knowledge and professional expertise on priority legal and policy issues and the housing landscape;
-Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including impacted individuals, community members and leaders, community-based and ally organizations, policymakers, professional subject matter experts, and funders;
-Engage in cross-team collaboration and support and supervise fellows and interns on discrete projects:
-Develop short- and long-range strategies and monitor progress in achieving identified project goals;
-Cooperate with development staff to assist in securing external funding to support the work;
-Consistently integrate equity concepts into projects and interactions;
-Exemplify Impact for Equity’s core values and advance Impact for Equity’s mission and vision in all aspects of the work; and
-Travel in Chicagoland and to national conferences and meetings as needed.
Three or more years of relevant experience in public interest law, impact litigation or policy advocacy required;
Exceptional legal and policy research skills;
Exceptional communications skills, including writing and public speaking, with an ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences;
Experience engaging in creative problem solving, including an ability to craft novel and successful advocacy strategies, including policy advocacy, legislative advocacy, and/or litigation;
Ability to develop complex projects and establish a systematic course of action to ensure successful project completion;
Ability to synthesize a lot of information, juggle multiple projects and priorities, think strategically, adjust to changing circumstances;
Ability to remain attentive to details, and meet deadlines in a creative, deadline-driven and collegial environment;
Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment;
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, including impacted individuals, community members and leaders, community-based and ally organizations, policymakers, professional subject matter experts, and funders; experience working with directly impacted people, community-based organizations, community organizers, and/or coalitions;
A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a passion for social justice and Impact for Equity’s mission;
Ability to travel;
Knowledge of and/or experience working on an issue or issues related to the housing system is a plus, but not required;
Multilingual skills are a plus, but not required; and
Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Illinois Bar.
Please submit your application packet to [email protected] with “Staff Counsel Housing” in the subject line. Your packet should include a resume, a writing sample, and a cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications for this position. If your candidacy advances, you will be asked to provide a list of three professional references. Impact for Equity will accept applications until the position is filled.
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