The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is a non-profit legal and educational organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.
Since 2002, the Center for Constitutional Rights has been at the forefront in challenging extrajudicial detention, torture and abuse in Guantánamo and related domestic and international outposts of the executive branch’s “war on terror.” CCR’s Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative seeks a talented, dedicated and resourceful attorney to continue and broaden CCR’s efforts – through litigation and advocacy – to challenge executive branch practices premised on expansive conceptions of wartime executive authority, as well as long-standing racism and xenophobia, including indefinite and preventive detention, military trial, targeted killings, abusive interrogations, and abusive government practices in implementing “war on terror” policies domestically.
Specific Job Responsibilities:
- Working creatively to devise and implement coordinated litigation and advocacy strategies to challenge unjust U.S. “war on terror” practices domestically and abroad;
- Serving as counsel in the representation of men detained in or released from Guantánamo in federal courts, military commissions, and foreign and international venues, and helping to coordinate litigation and advocacy strategy with numerous outside habeas counsel;
- Participating in advocacy efforts to end unjust U.S. “war on terror” practices, including with U.N. treaty bodies, Special Rapporteurs, and non-governmental and governmental organizations;
- Participating in legislative advocacy and representing CCR in meetings with congressional officials regarding Guantánamo and other issues relating to executive wartime authority and practices;
- Participating in public education activities, including working on materials, public speaking, and outreach to community and grassroots movements and to progressive lawyers, law students and legal groups;
- Doing media work, including working on press materials, responding to press inquiries and actively participating in press strategy discussions;
- Travel to Guantánamo to meet with clients, and occasional international travel in Europe, theMiddle Eastor elsewhere, to meet with other clients and their families, meet with foreign governments, and conduct media advocacy;
- Participating in donor meetings and development trips and activities;
Qualifications
- Strong litigation experience, including experience with motion practice, substantive brief writing and oral advocacy. Exceptional research, writing and strategic thinking skills and judgment;
- J.D. degree. Admission to the New York Bar preferred; if hired, must become admitted to New York Bar;
- Five or more years of experience as a lawyer preferred;
- Knowledge of and experience in one or more of the following areas: international human rights, international humanitarian law, constitutional law, habeas corpus, Freedom of Information Act litigation, and prisoners’ rights;
- Excellent client skills and cultural sensitivity; experience working with diverse groups and social justice movements preferred;
- Experience with media work;
- Excellent teamwork skills;
- Ability to supervise interns, fellow(s), and project paralegal(s).
- Integrity and a sense of humor.
- U.S.national security clearance or the ability and willingness to apply for security clearance preferred (note that individuals must beU.S.citizens or have dual citizenship in order to apply for clearance);
- Arabic language skills a plus.
Qualified candidates should mail a cover letter with resume, writing sample, salary requirements, and three references to: Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative Attorney Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, 7th floor, NY, 10012 or e-mail to ggjisearch@ccrjustice.org with “Guantánamo Global Justice Initiative Attorney Search” in the subject line. E-mail applications are preferred. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and strong consideration will be given to early applications.
