Senior Associate - U.S. Law and Security Program

New York Office

The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights has worked since 1978 to protect and promote the rights to which everyone is entitled under international law. We work both internationally and in the United States to champion the rights of refugees and workers, ensure justice for the most serious human rights crimes, promote domestic law and policy that respect human rights, and extend a lifeline to local human rights defenders. Collaboration, innovation, and the search for lasting solutions are the hallmarks of our approach to the toughest human rights problems. As of January 2004 the new name of the Lawyers Committee will be Human Rights First.

Our approach is rooted in the premise that the world's security and stability depend on long-term efforts to advance justice, human dignity, and respect for the rule of law in every part of the world. Our role and reputation in the human rights community is as an organization of advocates who provide substantive research, non-partisan legal expertise, consensus building, and strategic advocacy to effect positive change in respect for human rights.

The Lawyers Committee/Human Rights First seeks a Senior Associate for its U.S. Law and Security Program. This Program works to ensure that U.S. laws and policies relating to counterterrorism and national security incorporate human rights protections. It focuses on several related areas, including: the adjudication of national security cases under international, military, and U.S. criminal law; the treatment of immigrants, refugees and minorities; intelligence gathering and the right to privacy; and restrictions on open government. The U.S. Law and Security Program also works with the Lawyers Committee’s/Human Rights First’s Human Rights Defenders Program in analyzing the impact of U.S. counterterrorism policies on human rights protections around the world. Each of these topics is explored in the Lawyers Committee’s September 2003 report, “Assessing the New Normal: Liberty and Security for the Post September 11 United States,” available at www.lchr.org.

The successful candidate will report to the Director of the U.S. Law and Security Program and will work with a cross-programmatic team of staff from both the Washington, D.C. office and New York headquarters, as well as with Lawyers Committee/Human Rights First legislative, communications, and development staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating legal research and litigation on pending cases in Program areas through the Lawyers Committee’s/Human Rights First’s joint litigation project with the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School and with participating law firms;
• Working with and supporting party attorneys in key U.S. law and security cases to provide research assistance and other forms of litigation support;
• Researching, analyzing, and reporting on developments in law and policy across a wide range of relevant areas in order to promote the goals of the Program;
• Devising and implementing results-orientated advocacy strategies in support of the Program’s goals. Tactics to include: direct advocacy with key officials and non-governmental actors, mobilization of targeted sectors of the Lawyers Committee’s constituency, the cultivation of relationships with key journalists, and the preparation of printed and web-based public information and advocacy materials in service of the above;
• Cultivating relationships with security and counterterrorism experts, and with governmental, inter-governmental, and non-governmental organizations at national, regional, and international levels to promote better understanding of and cooperation on rule-of-law and human rights issues;
• Serving as a public spokesperson for the Lawyers Committee/Human Rights First on these issues.

Qualifications:

• Experience in legal analysis and brief writing;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and a demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material for a variety of audiences;
• Strong knowledge of legal and political developments in the area of human rights and national security;
• Understanding of Executive Branch decision-making processes and legislative processes;
• Knowledge of international law and its enforcement mechanisms (knowledge of international humanitarian law would be especially helpful);
• Capacity to finish assignments under pressure and to work collegially with others;
• Ability to work comfortably in a variety of settings, including legal, academic, and advocacy, and to work confidently with the media and with the Washington D.C. political establishment;

• Law degree and significant practical professional experience required. Candidate with judicial clerkship and distinguished legal writing experience preferred.

ANNUAL SALARY: Competitive.Excellent benefits.

SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: January 23, 2025

START DATE: March 1, 2025

SUBMISSIONS:(E-mail Preferred): Resume and cover letter, 2 writing samples (one analytical piece, one legal advocacy piece), and 3 Letters of Reference to:

All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. We will attempt to confirm the final status for all applicants within one month after the application deadline.

LAWYERS COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
HR - Sr. Assoc. - U.S. Law and Security Program
333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor
10001 - 5004 New York, New York

Or by facsimile to: (212) 845-5299
Or by E-mail to: humanresources@lchr.org