Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join Harvard Law School? Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice.
Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger. Job Description The Institute to End Mass Incarceration (IEMI) is a research and advocacy institute within Harvard Law School dedicated to building the intellectual leadership, public understanding, and practical tools necessary to end mass incarceration.
IEMI operates at the intersection of research, advocacy, and public engagement. IEMI seeks to hire a staff attorney to lead research, advocacy, and coalition building work with respect to the Institute’s Carceral Infrastructure Project. The staff attorney will play a key role driving forward substantive work related to efforts to understand and prevent the expansion of mass incarceration’s physical footprint.
Reporting to the Executive Faculty Director, this position focuses on collaborating with coalitional partners, leading the production of written research and advocacy materials, helping to design advocacy strategies for specific campaigns, and leading execution of the Institute’s advocacy work in this subject matter area.  This is an individual contributor role that requires strong project management, legal research and writing, and collaboration skills.
The staff attorney will also from time to time oversee the work of research assistants, interns, and student attorneys.  As a Staff Attorney you will:    Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with affiliated organizations and actors. Identify and cultivate opportunities for new campaigns. Develop, in coordination with the Executive Faculty Director, overarching strategies for the Institute’s involvement in ongoing campaigns and in other ecosystem partnerships.
Take primary ownership for executing research and advocacy related strategies, including creating written deliverables (briefs, white papers, etc). Take primary ownership for driving forward litigation and related advocacy, including managing client relationships, co-counsel relationships, and litigation preparation and execution.  In coordination with Executive Faculty Director, identify, screen, and help select junior members of the Institute’s Advocacy Team (including research associates, interns, and fellows etc).
Craft assignments for and oversee the work product of said junior team members, as directed by the Executive Faculty Director. Qualifications Basic Qualifications JD degree, at least 3 years of relevant post-graduate experience, and admission to a state bar.  Additional Qualifications and Skills We are looking for people who have:   Commitment to the mission, goals, and values of Inquest and the Institute to End Mass Incarceration.  Strong writing and editing skills.  Strong project management ability.  Comfort managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Additional Information Appointment End Date:  This is a one-year term appointment with potential for renewal, subject to departmental funding and need.  Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Certification/License Other Information:  All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.
Work Format Details This po