[Jobs] - Drug Policy Alliance seeks Law Fellow
Drug Policy Alliance seeks Law Fellow
Application deadline: 3 August, 2012
The Drug Policy Alliance seeks applicants for its newly created 1-year position of Law Fellow in its Berkeley, California Office of Legal Affairs. Attorneys with 0-5 years’ experience are invited to apply. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Drug Policy Alliance
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the nation's leading organization of people who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. In its vision of the future, individuals will not be punished simply for what they put into their bodies, only for harm done to others. DPA fights for drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights and seeks to promote dialogue on cutting-edge drug policy issues around the country. Its work spans issues from ending marijuana prohibition and promoting more honest and effective drug education to reducing the many harms of drug use and drug laws. DPA works to ensure that our nation’s drug policies no longer arrest, incarcerate, disenfranchise and otherwise harm millions of nonviolent people, especially people of color.
DPA’s work encompasses a wide array of policy issues, including:
• Sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration
• Harm reduction (HIV, hepatitis C and overdose prevention)
• Ending marijuana prohibition, marijuana decriminalization, medical marijuana
• Drug education, youth and drugs
• Race and the drug war
• Effective drug treatment
• Civil liberties and rights
• International drug control
• Alternatives to prohibition and pragmatic steps for ending the drug war
In the last 14 years, DPA has expanded from its New York headquarters to include eight offices, 45 staff, an annual operating budget of approximately $10 million, 26,000 dues-paying members and more than 200,000 online subscribers. It has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles. (For more information, see www.drugpolicy.org)
The Position:
The Law Fellow will be based in DPA’s Office of Legal Affairs in Berkeley, California, and will work alongside DPA’s three attorneys supporting DPA staff in a wide range of matters in state and federal courts and legislative bodies. The Law Fellow will also work closely with DPA staff and coalition partners across the country. Some travel will be required.
Primary Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities include:
• Analyze and help draft legislation addressing various subjects, including drug sentencing reform, marijuana law reform, harm reduction (including overdose prevention, 911 advocacy and access to naloxone), and asset forfeiture.
• Help litigate cases in state and federal court, involving such matters as medical marijuana, drug testing, and criminalization of drug use during pregnancy and parenting, and access to effective drug treatment in the community and behind bars. Litigation assistance involves researching and drafting legal and policy arguments and recruiting and communicating with plaintiffs and amici.
• Effectively articulate legal and policy strategies to DPA staff and to the public;
• Supervision of law student interns and intern projects;
• Engage in media outreach;
Qualifications
Applicants must have a law degree. The ideal candidate will have:
• A demonstrated interested in criminal law, civil rights, civil liberties and/or social justice advocacy.
• Superior research, writing and analytical skills.
• Particularly ability to communicate clearly to lay audiences, verbally and in writing.
• Excellent people and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work under deadlines.
• Self-directed and efficient.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diversity of people and constituencies as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes on short notice.
Compensation
DPA offers a competitive salary, based on experience, and a benefits package including health, dental, long-term disability and life insurance; a generous 403(b) plan; and 25 days paid time off.
Deadline
Applications will be reviewed immediately and will be accepted until August 3, 2012.
Application Process
Please submit a cover letter with your resume and salary requirements by email to hr@drugpolicy.org . Reference (Law Fellow) in the subject line – or by mail to:
Lina Mingoia
Human Resources Manager
Re: (Law Fellow)
Drug Policy Alliance
131 West 33th Street
15th Floor
New York, NY 10001
The Drug Policy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in hiring those who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.
Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
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