POSITION TITLE: Jean and Jerry Moore Southwest Civil Rights Counsel 

REPORTS TO: VP, Civil Rights (CR)

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Depending on region may supervise interns and/or an administrative assistant

LOCATION:  Houston, Austin or Dallas

Grade/Class: Grade H, Exempt, PSA-Eligible

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Provide oversight, advice and real-time guidance to Regional Directors and regional staff, looking through a civil rights lens at ADL's core priority work on antisemitism, as well as issues related to extremism, hate online, preserving democracy and building a just and inclusive society.  Identify and build relationships with local attorneys and law firms who provide assistance to ADL on relevant legal work, including the preparation of amicus briefs.  In coordination with Divisional Vice President (DVP), policy team, and Government Relations, Advocacy, and Community Engagement (GRACE), assist with implementation of advocacy campaigns, including support of or opposition to relevant state and local legislative proposals, preparing and delivering testimony on ADL’s behalf, and lobbying key decision-makers. (Depending upon the jurisdiction, this responsibility may require the counsel to become a registered lobbyist.)  Establish and build critical relationships with key members of the legal community and government, school and law enforcement officials, and deliver CLE courses and training programs.  Represent ADL at divisional and regional conferences and programs.  Serve as spokesperson at events and as media contact on civil rights issues, and work closely with national and regional lay leadership.

Primary:

• Direct and guide Regional Directors and other regional staff on the handling of complaints alleging civil rights violations, including school-based complaints, for the entire multi-state area. Undertake research, engage in correspondence and follow up with complainants and government officials.  Build and reinforce relationships with local attorneys and law firms with regard to relevant legal work, including the preparation of amicus briefs for ADL.
• In coordination with DVP, policy team and GRACE, assist with implementation of advocacy campaigns, including supporting or opposing relevant state and local legislative proposals. Review, research, and analyze opportunities for litigation and legislative initiatives for the area, including advising regional staff on pending cases and legislation and their potential impact on ADL’s mission and policies.
• Prepare and deliver testimony on ADL’s behalf and assist with legislative advocacy. Work with CR and GRACE teams to draft new legislative initiatives and promote such initiatives to applicable stakeholders. 
• Develop and deliver CLE courses and training programs on hate crimes, voting rights, immigration, religious freedom, threats to our democracy, and other relevant issues as prioritized by CR and GRACE. Serve as a critical resource on ADL “just and inclusive” initiatives for regional staff, colleagues in the Center on Extremism, the Center for Technology and Society, and other teams, lay leaders, constituents, government and school officials and the media.
• Represent ADL by speaking at regional conferences, local public events, colleges and community forums and other platforms on discrimination, hate crimes, civil liberties, separation of church and state, antisemitism and other relevant issues. Participate in community coalitions and work in coordination with other ADL colleagues to create and reinforce relationships with other Jewish and civil rights organizations.
• Respond to media inquiries about ADL’s position on local issues. Draft op-ed articles, letters to the editor and press releases on ADL Now priority issues.  Support as appropriate real-time communications responses on relevant and timely issues.

Secondary

• Assist in developing agendas and programs for regional Civil Rights Committees and divisional civil rights programs.   As part of CR team, develop ideas for agendas and speakers for regional webinars and national programs such as Never is Now!
• Assist in building support, promoting participation, and obtaining CLE certification for annual Supreme Court Review and ADL-sponsored CLE programs.
• Support and assist in development activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship.

Skills:

• Subject matter expertise to guide regional staff.
• Strong oral and written communication skills including public speaking experience. Excellent interpersonal skills are needed.  Legal analytical and legal drafting skills are essential.  Familiarity with word processing software is needed.

Bar Admission and Work Experience:

• Licensed to practice law, bar admission in Texas preferred
• Five to seven years of related experience in public policy agency or civil rights law practice. 

Education:

• Juris Doctorate

Work Environment:

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is necessary to represent ADL.  Frequent travel within the region is required.  Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• ADL COVID-19 Protocol (updated periodically): ADL is adhering to CDC, State, local, and Federal orders regarding COVID-19. ADL requires that all employees are vaccinated with exceptions for medical and religious accommodations. ADL will require proof of vaccination. ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 2 days in the office.

Compensation:  

• This position has a salary range of $74,000 to $108,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in Houston, Texas. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit https://www.adl.org/about/careers.

ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.  

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact Talent & Knowledge at .  

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws. 

Apply Here: https://careers-adl.icims.com/jobs/1931/civil-rights-area-counsel/job