Staff Attorney Second Chance Project

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center (“OJPC”) seeks to hire a Staff Attorney for our Second Chance Project.  This Staff Attorney will provide direct legal services to individuals who have criminal records and/or prior contact with the criminal legal system.  The Staff Attorney will participate in Second Chance Legal Clinics, facilitate client communications and relationships, engage in community outreach and education, and assist with data collection and management. 

Job Opening: Staff Attorney-Second Chance Project

THE OHIO JUSTICE & POLICY CENTER

215 E. 9th St., Ste. 601, Cincinnati, 45202 341 S. Third St., Columbus, 43215   
513-421-1108 • ohiojpc.org

ABOUT OJPC

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center is a nonprofit public interest law firm that creates fair, intelligent, and redemptive criminal justice systems. We achieve our mission through client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform, and cross-sector community education. We focus our energies primarily on reducing the number of incarcerated people, protecting rights of incarcerated people, and helping people with criminal records to fully contribute to their communities. We have offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH, and our work is statewide.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Ohio Justice & Policy Center (“OJPC”) seeks to hire a Staff Attorney for our Second Chance Project.  This Staff Attorney will provide direct legal services to individuals who have criminal records and/or prior contact with the criminal legal system.  The Staff Attorney will participate in Second Chance Legal Clinics, facilitate client communications and relationships, engage in community outreach and education, and assist with data collection and management. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will conduct legal research and analysis in laws, legislation, procedural rules, court decisions, and case precedents in preparation of hearings or trials to determine/anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.  The Staff Attorney will draft/review, propose and prepare reports, memoranda in opposition, briefs, legal documents, motions, and correspondence for clients.   The Staff Attorney will counsel and advise clients on changes in law, court decisions, and legal issues.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Engage with prospective and current clients to collect client and case backgrounds/histories, identify legal and non-legal issues, and research available tools to best address needs.
2. Provide full, direct legal representation for individuals that are unable to adequately represent themselves, which may require court appearances throughout Ohio. 
3. Participate in virtual and in-person Second Chance Legal Clinics, which includes evaluating eligibility for legal services and providing brief pro se legal advice to clinic participants. 
4. Gain specialized knowledge and duties relevant to legal services of interest (e.g., executive clemency, expungement, Certificates of Qualification for Employment, and/or court debt mitigation).
5. Brainstorm potential impact litigation with Second Chance Project Director to foster systemic changes to criminal legal system.
6. Build and maintain rapport with clients to secure engagement and consistent communication. 
7. Collaborate with the Second Chance team to conduct community presentations and trainings on OJPC’s services and the legal tools available to individuals with criminal records.
8. Engage with legal, social service, and re-entry organizations in the community to understand what services are available for individuals with criminal records, and provide trusted referrals as needed.
9. Cultivate and leverage relationships with professionals in the criminal legal system, such as attorneys, clerks, prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, policy makers, and/or politicians.
10. Advocate on public policy related to the criminal legal system in collaboration with Policy Director.
11. Conduct client intake and information management, which includes organizing and maintaining digital and physical files. Input client information and data into OJPC’s case management software.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Candidates for the Staff Attorney must possess excellent problem-solving skills and a keen attention to detail.  Superlative legal writing and research skills are desired.   Candidates also must have strong advocacy skills, personal initiative, and a high degree of emotional intelligence.  The Staff Attorney must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, enthusiasm for working collaboratively, and must embrace Second Chances’ mission to assist those to overcome barriers created by a criminal record. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

1. Law degree.
2. Admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio.
3. Two to three years providing direct representation to clients in legal matters, such as motions, hearings, litigation, and appeals.
4. Experience working with clients who have been impacted by the criminal legal system is helpful.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Excellent legal research and writing experience.
2. Knowledge of additional Microsoft Office software, such as Excel and PowerPoint.
3. Knowledge of specific legal case management software such as Legal Files.
4. Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals.
5. Experience with public speaking and/or conducting presentations.
6. Knowledge about the barriers to employment, housing, education, and licensing caused by criminal records.

DETAILS ABOUT THE POSITION:

Salary range is $54,000 to $60,000 based on experience and qualifications. Competitive benefits package including 27 PTO days, PTO carryover and PTO Sharing; parental leave; thirteen paid holidays, plus an annual winter break between Christmas and New Year’s; Flextime; Health, vision, and dental insurance; Simple IRA with corporate matching; membership in professional associations; corporate support for professional training and professional exams.

We are accepting applications now, and we would like to hire as soon as possible. We intend to have this position filled by the end of October.

OJPC is an equal opportunity employer. People from marginalized groups – that is, those who have experienced systemic exclusion based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation – are strongly encouraged to apply. Returning citizens and people who have been personally affected by the criminal legal system are also strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

To apply, please send a cover letter expressing your interest in the role and the organization’s work, and a resume titled with your name (last name. first name. cover letter/resume) to OJPC’s Operations Manager; Laura Beverly; lbeverly@ohiojpc.org.

Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications. Due to the large volume of applications, we are unable to give applicant updates by phone or direct email.