Friday, November 8, 2013

Legal Advocacy Counsel - ASPCA

Legal Advocacy Counsel

See original job posting on ASPCA's website can be seen here.

Requisition Number1461
DepartmentLegal Advocacy
LocationRemote
Job Description
Department: Legal Advocacy
Division: Anti-Cruelty
Location: Remote


Job Summary:

The Legal Advocacy Counsel working with, and under the supervision of Chief Counsel is responsible for assisting in the legal work done by the “Second Chair” and the civil litigation programs. The Second Chair program provides backup and hands-on assistance to prosecutors and investigators across the country to help ensure successful prosecution of animal cruelty cases. The civil litigation program handles animal welfare cases that are likely to have a substantial, long term beneficial impact for animals nationwide. Legal Advocacy counsel will also assist Legislative counsel in bill research, analysis and drafting as needed.


Job Responsibilities:

• Along with, and under the supervision of Chief Counsel ,provide back-up and hands-on legal assistance to prosecutors and cruelty investigators (including the Anti-Cruelty Group’s Field Investigation and Response (“FIR”) team) including: legal advice, legal research, drafting of motions, jury instructions, bonding/forfeiture petitions, legal memoranda, appellate briefs and other legal documents
• Connect prosecutors and investigators to resources including forensic, behavioral and legal experts
• Identify cases likely to impact large numbers of animals or with potential for significant change in animal welfare law (both good and bad) and offer legal back-up services to ensure favorable outcomes in those cases
• Intervene as amicus curiae in cases likely to have significant impact on animal welfare law
• Assist in the planning, preparation and presentation of legal proceedings in addition to or as substitutes for criminal prosecutions where appropriate, including writs of prohibition and mandamus, declaratory judgments, and requests for injunctive relief
• Serve as a legal liaison with Government Relations, FIR, and other ASPCA departments to ensure appropriate leveraging of legal advocacy (including litigation and legislative opportunities) that arise out of Second Chair and FIR activities
• Assist in handling affirmative civil litigation cases brought by the Legal Advocacy Department. (including amicus curiae work where appropriate)
• Assist in review, analysis and drafting of legislation as needed
• Collect and report program data
• Create legal training materials for legal advocacy programs of the organization
• Create resource bank for FIR, outside cruelty investigators, local law enforcement and district attorneys/prosecutors
• Recruit and supervise pro bono counsel and legal interns to assist in Second Chair work


Education:

Juris Doctor Degree required


Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years litigation experience
• Prosecutorial or criminal defense experience is preferred but comparable civil litigation experience will be considered, particularly in the areas of animal welfare or other public interest/social justice litigation


Knowledge Requirements:

• Criminal law and procedure
• Anticruelty laws
• National animal welfare issues


Skills Requirements:

• Superior legal writing, research and oral advocacy skills
• Trial and/or appellate practice experience
• Superior communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent computer skills (including familiarity with Word, Excel, document organization and deposition summary software)


Additional Information:

• On call availability (evenings and weekends)
• Admission to the bar in at least one state
• Remote location
• Moderate travel required

To apply, please complete our application and upload a cover letter that outlines how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of this position. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.