Staff Attorney – Criminal Justice Program

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Support prosecutors and courtroom animal advocates in animal cruelty cases at the trial level through detailed factual and legal analysis of animal cruelty laws, criminal procedure rules, and related regulations; prepare memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other necessary documents for trial readiness.

• Engage directly with prosecutors and courtroom animal advocates to discuss strategies pertaining to animal cruelty-specific challenges.

• Aid law enforcement, animal control officers, and veterinarians in animal cruelty investigations by reviewing affidavits, warrants, expert witness testimonies, and veterinary reports.

• Assess and analyze the potential for animal cruelty charges in cases where criminal charges have yet to be filed, and draft correspondence to relevant law enforcement and prosecutors detailing the viability of a criminal cruelty case when appropriate.

• Communicate effectively with complainants and advocates via phone and email; gather pertinent facts (from eyewitness accounts, media reports, and other sources as necessary) for potential criminal cruelty cases; and determine, following thorough legal analysis, which cases merit further investigation.

• Supervise the drafting, editing, and submission of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of ALDF.

• Assist in reviewing, developing, and promoting new legislation concerning animal crimes across all 50 states and at the federal level.

• Coordinate and collaborate with Litigation Program staff on cases that may involve both civil and criminal elements; work alongside the Legislative Affairs Program on legislative matters with a criminal aspect.

• Collaborate with Communications and other departments to address inquiries on criminal legal issues and procedures.

• Handle media requests from Communications as directed by the Criminal Justice Program Director.

• Develop and deliver legal training sessions on animal crimes for diverse audiences, including criminal justice practitioners, courtroom animal advocates, law enforcement personnel, animal control officers, judges, law students, and humane officers.

• Prepare and present at various professional conferences, fundraising events, etc., as necessary. Provide in-house expertise to staff regarding Criminal Justice Program cases, general animal cruelty cases, and criminal procedures and legal strategies.

• Undertake additional criminal justice projects (e.g., the intersection of animal law and criminal justice reform; effective sentencing models; emerging animal law/criminal law issues; etc.) as requested by the Criminal Justice Program Managing Attorney.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree, outstanding academic performance in law school, and admission to practice law in at least one state.

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to meet deadlines.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

• Proficient legal research and writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, enabling effective communication with colleagues, organizational members, supporters, the public, and others.

• Competence in computer literacy.

• Positive demeanor, capability to work collaboratively with others, and ability to thrive in a team-oriented work environment.

• Commitment to understanding and supporting the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

• Willingness to travel occasionally for staff meetings and retreats (approximately 1-3 trips annually).

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life, and vision benefits (100% employer covered).

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) also available.

• 192 hours of paid time off (PTO).

• 19 paid holidays.

• One month of paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.

• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.

• 401k plan featuring a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment.

• Availability of alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion).

• One-time remote work allowance of $750.

• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.