Youth Justice Policy Counsel

ReFlex•Columbus, OH

4d•Remote

About The Position

Children's Law Center, Inc. (CLC) is a nonprofit legal service center that protects the rights of children and youth. CLC achieves its mission through direct legal assistance, policy reform, community education, and information & referral. Established in 1989, CLC offers vital advocacy in the child welfare system, justice system, education system, and beyond. CLC provides services in Kentucky and Ohio, while collaborating with regional and national organizations on youth law and policy. Children’s Law Center is seeking a strategic, experienced attorney to help lead statewide youth justice policy efforts in Ohio while growing our local work in Greater Columbus and/or Greater Cleveland. CLC currently has projects in both communities, and this role will support them—helping to prioritize projects, deepen certain existing projects, and expand into new ones. This is a unique opportunity for a values-aligned attorney—particularly one with experience in juvenile-justice courtrooms—who wants to lead systems-change work while continuing to occasionally represent young people. Policy and advocacy are the heart of the role, alongside a smaller, growing direct-services practice that keeps our policy work grounded in the experiences of youth and families.

Requirements

J.D. and ability to practice in Ohio (or eligibility to waive in) is required.
3–7 years of experience as a legal practitioner in juvenile defense, prosecution, or closely related work is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated passion and commitment to youth justice and racial equity.
Strong skills in legal writing, public speaking, and systems-level thinking.
Proven ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders—from community members to elected officials.
Self-directed, highly organized, and comfortable with remote work.
Must have access to a reliable vehicle, high-speed internet, and a mobile phone.

Nice To Haves

Experience with policy advocacy or legislative work is a plus but not required—training and support available for mission-aligned candidates making a transition.
Supervisory or mentoring experience, and experience in education law, record sealing, or victims’ rights law, are a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead youth justice policy advocacy efforts focused on preventing youth transfer to adult court, improving detention conditions, promoting community-based alternatives, and ending deep-end punishments.
Advance CLC’s work to reduce bindover (transfer of youth to adult court) through legal and policy research, legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition-building, and public education—including helping advance CLC’s bindover storytelling project, an artistic multimedia exhibit that shares the experiences of young people tried as adults.
Advance the Recommendations of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Working Group, working with state leaders, agencies, and partners to move aligned recommendations into law, policy, and practice across Ohio.
Conduct legal analysis and policy research on state and local legislation, case law, and systemic practices.
Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings, including statewide policy network meetings and targeted advocacy/lobbying meetings; engage impacted youth and families, community partners, legislators, and system actors to co-create solutions that are just, youth-centered, and racially equitable.
Track and influence legislation, including drafting testimony, providing expert analysis, and representing the organization in policy coalitions and workgroups.
Create and disseminate policy content such as reports, fact sheets, legislative briefs, and public education materials.
Serve as a public voice, including speaking to the media, authoring opinion pieces, and educating communities about youth justice reform.
Build and expand direct services in Columbus or Cleveland (depending on where the candidate is based), which could include education advocacy, record sealing and expungement, and victims’ rights representation—carrying a modest caseload that also informs CLC’s policy priorities.
Strengthen CLC’s Columbus and Cleveland projects, helping to prioritize and deepen current work and identify new opportunities that respond to community needs.
Supervise/mentor interns, law students, and CLC’s Columbus-based Equal Justice Works Fellow.
Collaborate with youth and families impacted by the justice system, including visits to youth and adult facilities.