Systemic Litigation Attorney
About The Position
The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking applicants for a systemic litigation attorney with a primary focus on racial justice for low-income and other disadvantaged communities. MPLP seeks an experienced, strategic, and dynamic attorney to expand its systemic litigation capacity. The Systemic Litigation Attorney will identify, develop, and lead high-impact civil litigation designed to improve the health, safety, and economic security of low-income Michiganders, with a primary focus on advancing racial equity. Working across MPLP’s priority areas—including consumer law, family law, housing law, and public benefits—the attorney will identify emerging racial justice legal issues, develop innovative litigation strategies, and pursue cases with the potential to create lasting systemic change. The attorney will collaborate closely with MPLP’s subject-matter attorneys, legal aid programs throughout Michigan, pro bono counsel, law school clinics, community organizations, and state and national advocacy organizations to develop and advance a racial justice agenda in the context of civil legal services and poverty law advocacy. In addition to bringing their own cases, the Systemic Litigation Attorney will help strengthen the capacity of Michigan’s legal aid community by co-counseling cases, providing training and technical assistance, and developing practical litigation resources to support advocates statewide in advancing racial justice.
Requirements
- J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in Michigan
- Minimum 5 years legal experience
- Demonstrated litigation experience, appellate experience
- Ability to assume significant leadership in impact litigation
- Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and knowledge of the body of law that provides potential claims to challenge racial injustice and disparities in the poverty law context
- Demonstrated ability to work with client groups, community-based groups, and coalitions
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Strong organizational skills, strategic thinker, and creative
- Commitment to MSAS’s mission to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions
Responsibilities
- Identify, develop, and lead systemic litigation and appellate advocacy designed to improve the health, safety, and economic security of low-income Michiganders, with a focus on advancing racial equity
- Bring affirmative litigation and pursue appeals in state and federal court
- Identify and implement strategies to challenge racialized systems and practices
- Collaborate with MPLP subject-matter attorneys, Michigan legal aid programs, community organizations, and state and national advocacy organizations to identify, develop, and bring systemic litigation
- Organize trainings and create resources for legal aid advocates and other poverty advocates on issues related to systemic litigation
- Provide legal and technical support to legislators, policymakers, community organizations, legal services attorneys, and other poverty law advocates on racial justice issues in the context of poverty law
Benefits
- life insurance
- short-term disability
- long-term disability
- health insurance
- vision insurance
- dental insurance
- flexible spending accounts
- annual $1,500 payout (if applicant does not require health benefits)
- generous leave policy
- 3 weeks paid vacation (first year)
- 15 paid holidays
- 401K retirement plan including employer match (for eligible staff after 6 months of employment)
- qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
