NORTHWEST WORKERS’ JUSTICE PROJECT SEEKS FORCED ARBITRATION PROJECT ATTORNEY
Part-Time or Full-Time
Position Description:
Northwest Workers’ Justice Project is a non-profit legal advocacy organization in Portland, Oregon, whose mission is to defend and strengthen the workplace and organizing rights of low-wage, temporary and immigrant workers in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and nationwide. At NWJP, we are guided by the belief that all workers share the fundamental human right to live and labor with dignity, safety, and hope. Whether caring for children, harvesting the food on our tables, cleaning homes and hotel rooms, or constructing and landscaping the buildings in our communities, every worker deserves freedom from fear in the workplace, the assurance of payment for their labor, and a wage that is enough to meet their basic needs – in short, fair and lawful working conditions. Further, those who work hard ought to have time to spend with their families and to participate in making their communities better places to live. NWJP engages in legal representation, education, advocacy, and organizing to support workers and their organizations in the struggle to achieve these objectives. For more information about NWJP visit our website: www.nwjp.org/get-involved.
NWJP seeks a project attorney that can hit the ground running to help launch a legal clinic focused on forced arbitration in employment contracts. The clinic is part of an innovative project aimed at addressing the denial of public justice in cases of where forced arbitration requires employees and consumers to have disputes resolved in an unfair forum. The attorney will evaluate the enforceability of arbitration agreements and represent workers in court or arbitration proceedings. In addition, the attorney will collect stories of workers denied justice because of forced arbitration agreements and present these cases to the public. The project attorney will mentor and supervise law students and other volunteers in pursuit of these goals.
The position requires the ability to work well with co-workers, law student volunteers and a variety of external partners including the plaintiffs’ side attorney, community and other advocacy groups.
Because NWJP neither seeks nor accepts funds from federal or state government in order to maintain independence, the project attorney must be willing to engage in some development and fundraising activity.
Required qualifications:
- Ability to establish trusting relationships with low-income clients and cultural competence to address the legal needs of immigrant workers
- Ability to effectively supervise and mentor law students and volunteers
- Excellent communication, writing, and research skills
- Ability to work independently and as a team player
- Ability to think creatively, and willingness to implement unconventional legal strategies
- Experience working with diverse communities
- Strong organizational skills
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice
- Oregon bar accreditation
Preferred:
- Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish (strongly preferred)
- Demonstrated litigation and/or arbitration skills
- Experience in arbitration and employment law
- Demonstrated commitment to workers’ rights
- Experience launching a new project or program
How to apply:
Please send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references to jobs@nwjp.org. Use “Project Attorney” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Position will begin as soon as possible.
NWJP is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants with diversity of backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Salary:
This position is negotiable .5 to 1 FTE. Salary is dependent on experience. Project funding will last through at least the end of 2018, but NWJP is working to secure additional funding. NWJP offers health insurance reimbursement.