The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR) is looking for a skilled staff attorney to join its Children’s Defense Team, which provides holistic legal representation for children in delinquency and status offender proceedings as the youth public defender in New Orleans. Staff attorneys coordinate teams of investigators, social workers, and youth advocates to help New Orleans’ young people achieve their legal and life goals. Strong candidates will have a deep and demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent youth; excellent communications, analytical, and problem-solving skills; proven ability to work collaboratively with a team of colleagues; and a strong work ethic.

The position is based in New Orleans.

The Community You Will Join

The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR) is a non-profit law office that fights to keep children out of the justice system so they can thrive in their homes and communities. We both represent individual children in their court cases and address the systemic issues that trap mainly poor, Black youth in the justice system.

Youth Defense: As the youth public defender in New Orleans, our Children’s Defense Team represents over 90% of children in the city who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. We provide each child with a holistic team – a lawyer, social worker, investigator, and youth advocate – to address both the causes and consequences of an arrest.

State and Local Advocacy: We advocate for policies that reduce the number of children in the justice system and provide better alternatives to arrest and incarceration. For the kids who do enter the system, we support policies that keep them safe, protect their rights, and get them home as soon as possible.

Your Expertise

• A commitment to advancing racial justice and reducing the harm the justice system does to Black children;
• At least three years of previous criminal defense experience, with a focus on youth defense preferred or at least three years of professional experience working as an attorney representing indigent and underserved populations;
• Deep and demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent youth as a specialized practice; to zealous, holistic, team-based, and client-centered defense; and to LCCR’s mission, vision, goals, and values;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively and clearly, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations;
• Demonstrated ability both to collaborate closely with colleagues and also to work independently when necessary;
• Creativity and flexibility in solving problems and meeting challenges;
• Strong work ethic and willingness to travel and to work late hours and/or weekends when circumstances demand it;
• A J.D. with current good standing to practice law in Louisiana.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a practicing public defender;
• Knowledge of substantive and procedural juvenile and criminal law and trial practice skills;
• Expertise in special education law, adolescent psychology, and other areas of knowledge important for effective advocacy on behalf of youth in juvenile court;
• Familiarity with the geography, history, and people of New Orleans and Louisiana

Salary and Compensation

The position offers a salary of $60,000-$90,000 depending on years of experience and based on an established salary scale. LCCR offers employee benefits that include unlimited paid time off, six weeks paid parental leave, 100% covered health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and spouse or children, a mental health stipend, access to an employee-assistance program, and an employer-matched retirement plan. The position is full-time and in-person, although remote work is flexible depending on court appearances and required case-load expectations. No other compensated work is permitted.

To Apply

Please provide a resume, three professional references, and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to jobs@lakidrights.org. In the subject line of the email, please write “CDT Staff Attorney.” Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

LCCR values diversity and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, LGBT persons, people with disabilities, and those directly impacted by the justice system are encouraged to apply for all positions.