The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

Job Title: Director, Digital Justice Initiative
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-Time
Accountable To: Acting Co-Chief Counsel

About the Role

The Director for the Digital Justice Initiative leads the Digital Justice Initiative (DJI) in achieving racial justice in a digital world and affirmatively advancing freedom from discrimination and historical inequities. This position will help the DJI protect and expand online freedoms for Black Americans and other communities of color by building upon decades of civil rights advances and experiences, working to ensure that legal precedents and social norms that protect against discrimination in the real world apply online as well, advocating for new laws, policies, and corporate practices that examine new technologies to preempt and mitigate discriminatory effects and litigate to enforce existing civil rights obligations in new digital environments. The Director for the Digital Justice Initiative works under the supervision of the Acting Co-Chief Counsel.

What You’ll be Doing:

Responsibilities of the Director, Digital Justice Initiative include but are not limited to:

• Oversee all DJI litigation and related legal work at all stages, from initial investigations through trial, appeals, and judgment collection. This includes managing staff engaged in these activities as well as engaging in them. Litigation activities include investigations, trial litigation, appellate litigation, and amicus advocacy in significant cases.
• Oversee all DJI policy advocacy, including federal and state legislative advocacy (e.g., drafting model bills, engaging with congressional staff, etc.) and administrative/regulatory advocacy (e.g., writing comments to agencies, meeting with White House staff, etc.). This includes managing staff engaged in these activities as well as engaging in them.
• Manage relationships with partner civil society organizations on DJI issues. In addition to informal coordination, such as joint advocacy letters, this may include:
  • Co-chair of the Media & Telecommunications Task Force at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
  • Co-chair of the Data Privacy Working Group at the Civil Rights, Privacy, & Technology Roundtable.
  • Co-chair of the Elections, Disinformation, and Hate Working Group at the Civil Rights, Privacy, & Technology Roundtable.
  • Member of the Civil Rights, Privacy, and Technology Roundtable;
  • Member of the Privacy Now Coalition.
  • Member of the Federal AI Coordinating Group.
• Development of DJI strategic and annual planning, including identification of DJI priorities, goals, plans, and tactics, for review and approval by the Lawyers’ Committee President and Executive Director and senior management.
• Help develop the DJI budget and track expenditures to ensure consistency with it.
• Coordinate with the Communications department on DJI-related news events, press releases, etc., speaking to news media on DJI topics; leading development of DJI’s website content.
• Coordinate with the Development department on DJI-related fundraising, develop and manage relationships with DJI funders in coordination with the Development office, and work with Development to obtain and manage grants related to DJI.
• Management of DJI staff, including directing and overseeing their DJI work, mentoring, and assisting with their professional development; reviewing and approving expenses and leave requests of DJI staff; preparing performance evaluations in coordination with Human Resources.
• Coordinate with Executive Management concerning DJI operations, programs, litigation and other legal work, administration, and other activities; and
• Consult and coordinate with other projects on matters that overlap with digital justice issues.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:

• 8-10 years of experience in digital justice reform/litigation with at least 5 years at a civil rights organization strongly preferred, although individuals with less experience but the requisite skills and expertise are also encouraged to apply.
• Admission to the bar of at least one state and either admission to the DC bar or eligibility to waive into the DC Bar (any candidate who is not admitted to the DC Bar will be required to apply for admission before or upon joining the Lawyers’ Committee; the Lawyers’ Committee will reimburse the candidate for the cost of the application).
• Demonstrated interest in advancing civil rights and racial justice.
• Significant litigation experience.
• Significant legal or policy experience in digital justice matters and the ability to work with communities harmed by discriminatory practices.
• Exceptional legal research and writing and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including the general public, media, and policymakers.
• Highest integrity, sound judgment, and strong communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness and respect for differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully and the ability to resolve obstacles and/or conflicts.
• Commitment and demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent advocacy.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think creatively, and work independently.
• Ability to travel for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development.
• Experience in management and supervision and demonstrated commitment to optimizing each team member’s skills and potential is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position will supervise the Initiative’s staff, including Attorneys, legal support staff, Law Fellows, and Legal Interns.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers’ Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.

The expected range for this role will be: $140,000-$185,000 annually.