About Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is the first nonprofit legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities in Georgia and the Southeast. We envision a social movement in which communities of color are fully empowered, active in civic life, and working together to promote equity, fair treatment, and self determination for all.

Founded in 2010 as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (AALAC), our organization became part of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation in 2014. Since then, we have re-organized our work into four major focus areas: Policy Advocacy, Organizing & Civic Engagement, Impact Litigation, and Legal Services.

About The Litigation Team

Grounded in values of anti-racism, equity, and the liberation of all people, the Impact Litigation department’s dual focus on immigrant justice and voting rights together aims to expand legal protections for AAPI and BIPOC communities and to advocate against unjust, oppressive laws and policies. We aim to combat a variety of voter suppression tactics targeted at AAPI voters, disrupt belief systems and structures upholding migrant detention and other forms of mass imprisonment, and establish a more favorable legal landscape as it relates to immigration and voting rights in the South.

Position Summary:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s Impact Litigation department is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney to help develop, lead, and support impact litigation and advocacy in the areas of immigrant justice, particularly in the context of immigration detention, and voting rights. The Senior Staff Attorney will work closely with the Litigation Director to support ongoing federal litigation and develop and investigate opportunities for future litigation in these subject areas. They will combine litigation with other strategies, such as community education and policy advocacy, to expand legal protections and advocate against unjust laws. They will collaborate with other departments and partner organizations on projects and in coalition spaces. This position is based in Georgia.

How You’ll Contribute to Our Impact:

Develop, lead, and support impact litigation primarily in federal court, under the guidance of the Litigation Director, primarily in the areas of immigrant justice and voting rights. This includes investigating potential litigation and participating in all aspects of litigation, including investigation, client counseling and communication, legal research and writing, drafting pleadings, conducting depositions and discovery, and other litigation tasks.
Lead and support immigrant justice and voting rights advocacy in various fora, including but not limited to administrative agencies, local and state government agencies, and legislative and/or rulemaking officials.
Collaborate with staff in other departments at Advancing Justice-Atlanta, other offices in the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, and community partners to develop and implement issue-specific immigrant justice and/or voting rights campaigns, using a strategic combination of litigation and other strategies to achieve the desired outcome.
Support and collaborate with the Litigation Director in guiding strategic direction of impact litigation and advocacy, coordinating its fit within the broader organizational work and aligning with organizational mission and values.
Spearhead relationships with stakeholders and community partners, including participation and leadership in coalition spaces.
Provide legal support to community organizing, legal clinics/presentations, and policy advocacy efforts.
Develop public communications, such as community advisories, press releases, press conferences, and media inquiries, related to litigation and other immigrant justice and voting rights issues.
On election days, assist with Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s election protection program.
Contribute to grant reports, as needed.
Supervise interns, externs, and fellows, if needed.

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

Local to the Atlanta area or willing to relocate, with access to reliable transportation.
J.D. from an accredited university and membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or District of Columbia, with a preference for licensure in Georgia. If not barred in Georgia, must be willing to waive into the Georgia Bar, when eligible (Georgia Bar allows attorneys to waive in after 5 years.)
At least 5 years of litigation experience is preferred, including but not limited to civil litigation and/or direct representation of clients in federal or state court, removal defense, or criminal proceedings.
Some experience with voting rights and/or immigrant justice litigation is preferred.
Excellent communication, analytical, organizational, and legal research and writing skills.
Self-starter who takes initiative in developing new projects and thinks creatively about how litigation will strategically advance broader movement goals.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and lead diverse working groups, ensuring deadlines are met and tasks are appropriately prioritized.
A sincere desire to work in partnership with communities of color and immigrants to protect and advocate for their rights and a commitment to Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s mission.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively, respectfully, and empathetically with a diverse client population and community members, including individuals who are incarcerated and/or have experienced trauma.
Commitment to social, economic, racial and immigrant justice movements.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on a small team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Possess strong interpersonal skills and a positive, professional attitude.
Bilingual/multilingual abilities preferred, particularly in Asian languages and/or Spanish.

Why You’re Excited About Us:

Impact: We are building the power for good in the South, and your contributions will matter.
Growth: We are invested in growing your leadership within the organization and beyond.
Our Team: We are a group of talented, passionate, and dedicated people who love our community and care about cultivating meaning, authenticity, and joy in our work.
Flexibility: We follow a hybrid work model and invest to support remote work. We encourage and support work-life balance because you’re able to do your best work when you’re living a full life.
Benefits: We offer an attractive variety of healthcare plans, several come with a $0 employee premium, matching 100% of 401(k) contributions up to 4% of salary, paid time off and a generous holiday calendar, covering DACA/TPS renewal fees, and professional development opportunities.
Salary range for this position is $72,000-$98,000/year, commensurate with experience, and is based on principles of internal equity.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Senior Litigation Staff Attorneys may supervise interns, externs, and fellows, if needed.

Physical Requirements:

The position permits working remotely on a frequent basis, but requires some local travel within the metro-Atlanta area and to the Advancing Justice-Atlanta office. Occasional travel within the state of

Georgia / the U.S., including travel to meet with individuals detained in ICE prisons, is required.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a 5-10 page writing sample to the Human Resources Specialist Angelette Guyton at aguyton@advancingjustice-atlanta.org. Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Position will be open until filled.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, HIV status, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation. For any accommodations requests in the application process, please contact accommodations@advancingjustice-atlanta.org