Students’ Civil Rights Project Overview
Public Justice’s Students’ Civil Rights Project (SCRP) combines high-impact litigation with other advocacy tools to combat discrimination in schools. We strive to create systemic change so all students can learn and thrive, and to secure justice for students who are denied educational opportunities based on their race, national origin, ethnicity, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We represent students at all stages of litigation, including pre‐suit negotiations, litigation in trial courts, appeals, and oppositions to cert petitions.
Job Responsibilities
- Serve as lead counsel or co-counsel in the investigation and execution of impact litigation, amicus briefs, and special legal projects that further the strategic goals of the SCRP and the mission of Public Justice.
- Participate in the full range of the SCRP’s litigation responsibilities, which primarily include legal research and analysis, briefing, oral arguments, client communications, and settlement negotiations, as well as occasional factual investigation and discovery.
- Develop and engage in a broad range of legal advocacy through and outside the courts (including reviewing legislation; drafting comments to agencies, letters, fact sheets, and other materials; participating in meetings and events; coordinating with student organizers; and working in partnership with members of the Communications division to develop and implement storytelling campaigns) regarding the SCRP’s advocacy priorities.
- Build networks and collaborate with allies, including Public Justice’s Board of Directors and members, to fight the racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia that shape educational institutions’ policies, procedures, practices, and training, as well as how our civil rights laws and regulations are interpreted and enforced in the education arena.
- Speak at conferences, webinars, and other events about issues relevant to the SCRP’s work.
- Participate in strategic planning for the SCRP and other organizational planning initiatives.
- Assist with promoting and reporting on the SCRP’s work to prospective funders.
