Staff Attorney/Legal Director – Surveillance Technology Oversight Project

The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is looking for a committed advocate and movement lawyer who can leverage impact litigation to dismantle police surveillance. S.T.O.P. fights state and local government surveillance across New York, strengthening privacy and civil rights, and creating a model for challenging police surveillance across the globe. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and communities of color, particularly the unique trauma of anti-Black policing.

The Staff Attorney / Legal Director will be a part of S.T.O.P.’s core team, with primary responsibility for the organization’s public records and class action litigation. The Staff Attorney / Legal Director will work with S.T.O.P.’s legal fellows to rapidly expand S.T.O.P.’s legal department and litigation docket.

S.T.O.P. is an anti-racist, inclusive, and equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and expand S.T.O.P.’s open records and class action litigation docket;

• Both effectively partner with pro bono co-counsel and pursue cases independently;

• Develop novel causes of action and recruit plaintiffs;

• Assist in drafting municipal ordinances and state legislation;

• Work with advocacy, research, and communications staff to assist in making legal concepts readily accessible to a broad audience;

• Take part in panels and media engagement where appropriate;

• Expand partnerships with private law firms and public interest groups;

• Work as part of local, state, and national advocacy coalitions;

• Coordinate production staff and outreach for S.T.O.P.’s forthcoming podcast;

• Supervise other legal staff;

• Coordinate with development staff on grant applications and tracking; and

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• A personal commitment to dismantling systems of mass surveillance and white supremacy;

• Exemplary written and oral communication skills;

• Minimum of 2 years of legal practice;

• Some experience with one or more of the following: open records litigation; Section 1983 litigation; class action litigation; biometric privacy law; First Amendment litigation; and/or national security law.

• Strong problem solving, organizational, time-management, and project management skills;

• J.D. and New York Bar Membership required;

• Proficiency in multiple languages preferred; and

• Able to nurture a sense of community and mutual support within an organization.

Compensation:

• S.T.O.P. provides a generous benefits package, including an array of employer-funded Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans with no employee premium contribution.

• S.T.O.P. uses a lockstep pay scale beginning at $84,400 to $107,600 for director level positions, with annual seniority increase and cost of living adjustment. Learn more about our salaries here.

To apply, please email your CV, our DEI Questionnaire, and a cover letter explaining which aspect of our mission you find most compelling to jobs [at] stopspying.org with a subject: “Staff Attorney”