The Florida Justice Institute, Inc. (FJI), a small public interest nonprofit law firm, seeks a full-time staff attorney in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1978, FJI conducts civil rights litigation primarily on behalf of those incarcerated in Florida’s prisons and jails. These types of cases include wrongful death, deliberate indifference to serious medical need, unconstitutional conditions of confinement, excessive force, failure to protect, First Amendment (including free speech, censorship, and religious freedom), disability discrimination, and others. FJI also conducts litigation for non-incarcerated victims of housing discrimination, disability discrimination, police misconduct, and engages in various other forms of impact litigation for poor persons. FJI works collaboratively with other public interest law firms and legal services organizations. FJI also supervises the pro bono program for theU.S. District Court for the S.D. Fla.
Responsibilities: The attorney will litigate and handle appeals in state and federal court, primarily Section 1983 and constitutional cases involving prisoners’ civil rights, fair housing, disability rights, and impact cases for poor persons. The attorney will be expected to handle all phases of civil litigation and maintain an active case load, although all cases at FJI are handled cooperatively among all the attorneys. The attorney will be directly supervised by the Executive Director, and will work with at least one other attorney. In some instances, the attorney will coordinate and work with co-counsel.
Qualifications: A minimum of one year of relevant post-graduate experience is required. Preferred candidates will possess excellent litigation and appellate skills in federal court, prior § 1983 litigation experience, a demonstrated commitment to serving poor people and incarcerated persons, and an interest in the preservation and advancement of civil liberties and civil rights. Time spent clerking for a federal judge is acceptable as experience. The attorney must be admitted to The Florida Bar or willing to take the next Florida Bar exam, or eligible for temporary admission under the Authorized Legal Aid Practitioners Rule (requiring 3 years of legal experience) and willing to take the next Florida Bar Exam. Applicants should be self-motivated and capable of complex analytical work. Applicants must possess excellent legal research and writing skills, good communications skills, and a desire to work in a cooperative, collegial environment.
Salary/Benefits: Salary is competitive with other public interest law firms in the area, and will be set depending on experience. FJI offers a superb benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance; retirement; parking; and excellent working conditions in class A office space.
Application: Send resume and cover letter via email to Randall C. Berg, Jr., Esq., Executive Director. No phone calls please. Due to the volume of applications expected, FJI cannot respond to each one. The position will remain open until filled.
