Social Action & Advocacy Archives

The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) fights stigma and discrimination at the intersection of HIV, race, sexuality, disability, class, and gender identity and expression, with a special focus on public health and criminal legal systems. We do this through legal advocacy, high-impact policy initiatives, and the creation of cross-issue partnerships, networks, and resources that amplify the power of communities to mobilize for change that is rooted in racial, gender, and economic justice.

Two of our current major initiatives focus on discriminatory policies in the U.S. legal system. The Positive Justice Project is a national coalition coordinated by CHLP and organized to end criminal laws targeting people living with HIV and other infectious diseases. Teen SENSE and the Sexual Health Youth Advocacy Coalition (SHYAC) advocate for written policies guaranteeing LGBT-inclusive/affirming sexual health care and sexual health literacy programming in juvenile detention, foster care, and other state-operated youth facilities.

CHLP’s signature HIV Policy Resource Bank is a free online database of legal memoranda, research, reports, legal guides, court and agency decisions, pleadings and briefs, policy analyses and recommendations, and other materials on topics of importance to people living with HIV and their advocates.

We are looking for an individual who enjoys researching and writing about complex legal and policy issues and working in partnership with members of diverse communities to achieve meaningful legal and policy reform. The Staff Attorney will support the following areas of CHLP’s work with a particular focus on our anti-criminalization work.

The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibilities are:

Take a leading role on legal/policy research and strategy development in collaboration with all staff;
Provide legal expertise and support, consistent with CHLP program priorities, to community and legal advocates around the country;
Oversee the implementation of CHLP’s Teen SENSE/SHYAC work, including supervision of CHLP’s Teen SENSE staff;
Assist with CHLP’s anti-criminalization work, including possible co-counseling criminal and civil commitment cases;
Review, draft and synopsize legal, policy, medical, scientific, and related materials for CHLP’s national online Resource Bank;
Assist in the hiring and supervision of interns;
Assist in building and supporting CHLP’s HIV Legal Collaborative (e.g. recruit new attorneys in criminal law and other needed practice areas)Maintain thorough records and reports on legal and policy work, outreach
and organizing plans and progress.

Positive Justice Project work may include:

Assist in research and drafting of state-specific resources and responses to legislative developments and local advocates’ needs;
Assist with drafting and updating of other CHLP publications;
Participate in and organize meetings and trainings to engage and train new advocates and other stakeholders on PJP principles and related advocacy.

Teen SENSE responsibilities may include:

Oversee implementation of existing work plan for CHLP’s Teen SENSE initiative, ensuring that key deadlines and deliverables are clearly defined and met, and that related efforts include the meaningful participation of system-experienced young people;
Provide guidance as needed to SHYAC (the Sexual Health Youth Advocacy Coalition), a network of national and regional Teen SENSE allies and partners, in state and national advocacy efforts.

Staff Attorney Requirements: The applicant must be admitted to the New York State Bar or admitted to practice in another jurisdiction; have a strong, demonstrated interest in progressive public interest legal advocacy and working with diverse communities; and must have superior research and writing skills with a minimum of 2 years of experience. The position is best suited for a leader with a solid sense of humor, compassion, patience, and grounded self-confidence. There is significant preference for an individual with criminal law and litigation practice, with lived experience in CHLP’s areas of work, and who is fluent in Spanish.

Compensation: Annual salary of $73,000 – $80,000 depending on experience. Increased compensation may be available for exceptional candidates with significant experience in CHLP’s areas of work. CHLP offices are based in Brooklyn, but all staff currently work remotely with the option of using our office space. Excellent benefits include generous vacation and sick time, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement investment plan (with employer match of 10% of salary), 403(b) retirement plan (employee contribution only), flexible spending accounts for medical and transit costs, and flexible work options. Work schedule is 9:30 – 5:30 ET, although longer days occasionally may be required during the legislative session or when critical emerging issues arise.

To apply, please send the following to [email protected] with the subject heading “Staff Attorney Application”:

Cover letter explaining your interest in a staff attorney position with CHLP, and how your experience and long-term interests relate to CHLP’s mission, work, and values;
Resume with two references; and
Writing sample demonstrating your research and analytical skills.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Center for HIV Law and Policy is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to advancing fairness, equity, and diversity in both its work and its workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all communities, including people of color, women, people living with HIV or other disabilities, individuals who formerly were incarcerated, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons.

The Center for HIV Law and Policy is a project of the National Center for Civic Innovation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by the Fund for the City of New York.