About The Center for HIV Law and Policy

Employment Opportunities

Temporary Staff Attorney Position

posted March 12, 2020

The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) challenges barriers to the rights and health of people affected by HIV through legal advocacy, high-impact policy initiatives, and creation of cross-issue partnerships, networks and resources. We support movement building that amplifies the power of individuals and 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 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.

Temporary 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, and with lived experience in CHLP’s areas of work.

Compensation:  $1200 - $1500/week, depending on experience, for a minimum 12-week contract. Contract period may be extended beyond the initial period depending on CHLP’s staffing needs and the interests of the applicant.

To apply, please send the following to employment@hivlawandpolicy.org with the subject heading "Temporary Staff Attorney Application":

  • Cover letter explaining your interest in the temporary staff attorney position and how your experience relates to CHLP’s mission, work and values;
  • Resume with two references; and
  • Writing sample demonstrating your research and analytical skills.

Current deadline for applications is March 27, 2020. 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 have been incarcerated, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender 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, which the Ford Foundation created in 1963.