During this current situation with COVID-19, the ABA will
continue to accept and process applications for job opportunities.  We
will conduct our recruitment process via alternative means (virtual interviews)
for the time being.

The ABA recruits employees seeking opportunities for challenging and substantive work defending liberty and pursuing justice in the U.S. and around the world.  The ABA offers competitive employment benefits which include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and more.

The Center on Children and the Law is seeking two full-time Senior Attorneys to work with our Court Projects team. The Senior Attorneys will engage in legal system reform efforts with child welfare stakeholders throughout the country, including Court Improvement Projects (CIP), agencies, judges, attorneys, federal and state partners, and tribes. The Senior Attorneys will work primarily on the Capacity Building Center for Courts, a federally funded grant program to support CIPs in designing, developing, and evaluating court reform efforts.  Senior Attorneys may also work on grant development and often have opportunities over time to cultivate a portfolio of their own projects in the child welfare legal field based on individual interest and expertise.

 

If you are dedicated to promoting access to justice for children and families, the Center provides an excellent platform to develop national leadership skills. We look forward to learning more about how you could contribute to our mission and our team. All applications must be submitted online. When applying please include a cover letter and resume in one document when uploading on the ABA site.

Principal Job Duties will include:

• Serve as principal ABA expert on substantive areas of child welfare law.
• Guide legal system reforms and collaborative approaches to improving child welfare outcomes.
• Collaborate with child welfare leaders and stakeholders in government and nonprofits throughout the country.
• Support court systems in analyzing data, developing theories of change, and implementing and evaluating interventions to improve child welfare legal systems.
• Deliver presentations and trainings on child welfare legal and public policy issues, and systems change approaches.
• Design substantive content for convenings, develop model documents, and conduct workshops.
• Facilitate online Communities of Practice around child welfare topical areas.  
• Write memoranda and articles, frequently for publication. 
• Work as part of a highly collaborative team to design and deliver innovative learning experiences for the legal community.
• Commitment to promoting racial justice and cultural sensitivity in projects, training, and policies.
• Assist with ABA policy adoption and dissemination process.
• Support Center efforts to secure funding; write grants; work collaboratively with funders.

This position is based out of the ABA’s Washington DC Office. Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, IL, IN, DC, MD, VA, and TX.  Residency requirements may apply. This job will require up to 20% travel.

 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

Requires Doctoral Degree (JD, PhD).

At least 6+ years of practice or other experience in relevant specialized area of law.

Substantial experience and high level of skills in policy analysis and scholarly writing, public speaking, other professional legal writing.

Grant administration and supplemental subject matter experience may be required.

The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association please call 312-988-5188.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, IL, IN, DC, MD, VA, and TX.  Residency requirements may apply. 

Apply Now