Civil Rights & Systemic Litigation Attorney

Civil Rights & Systemic Litigation Attorney

About ArchCity Defenders

ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. We combine civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration to achieve and inspire justice and equitable outcomes throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

We envision a society liberated from systems of oppression, where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized. In this vision, public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation rather than criminalization and incarceration, and people live freely and thrive in their communities regardless of race or income.

With our partners in the organizing and advocacy community, we work to:

- Re-envision public safety, promote community well-being through policy change, and hold public actors and institutions accountable for misconduct through litigation and zealous holistic representation.

- Challenge policing, court, and jail systems designed to meet municipal financial needs rather than the needs of the people they purport to serve. These practices drew national attention during the 2014 Ferguson Uprising and remain widespread throughout our region.

- End abusive practices through litigation and collaborative advocacy, and empower the communities targeted by those practices.

About the Role

ACD seeks a skilled, experienced, and creative attorney with a strong commitment to social justice to join our Civil Rights Litigation team. Our dynamic and diverse staff includes attorneys, paralegals, social workers, community organizers, and media and communication advocates who collaborate to address the causes and consequences of poverty and involvement with the legal system.

You will join the team leading our landmark civil rights litigation on behalf of poor people, people experiencing homelessness, and communities of color. This work challenges modern-day debtors prisons, denial of counsel and access to the courts, illegal fees and fines that devastate lives in the name of profit, and other forms of state violence.

Responsibilities and Approach

- Report to the Managing Attorney for Civil Rights Litigation, play an important role in impact litigation, and provide direct representation to plaintiffs.

- Work collaboratively with other members of the Civil Rights Litigation team and contribute to ACDs holistic advocacy.

- Bring initiative, a passion for racial and economic justice, and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, holistic representation, and systemic change.

Skills and Qualifications

- J.D. and admission to the Missouri Bar, or the ability to obtain admission through waiver or reciprocity.

- Ability to manage a high-volume workload effectively.

- Excellent research and persuasive writing skills, including experience drafting pleadings, motions, and memoranda of law.

- Experience with discovery, including drafting requests for production and interrogatories, conducting depositions, and handling related motion practice.

- Ability to identify and build relationships of trust with impacted individuals, including by addressing collateral legal needs.

- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil rights, and ACDs mission.

- Experience advocating for clients in court, including arguing motions, conducting evidentiary hearings and trials, and preserving a legal record.

Preferred Experience

- At least two years of prior litigation experience in state or federal court is strongly preferred.

- Jury trial and federal court experience are preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $80,000–$98,000 , depending on years of practice experience.

Benefits include:

- Health, dental, and vision coverage.

- A 401(k) with a partial employer match.

- Parental and sick leave, plus 26 days of paid time off and holidays.

- Paid Bar dues and continuing legal education opportunities.

- YMCA membership, a work cell phone, and subsidized parking.

Equal Opportunity

ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+ applicants, and gender non-conforming applicants.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applicants who submit their materials by December 15, 2026 .

Submit the following materials through the ArchCity Defenders employment website :

- Resume

- Cover letter

- Writing sample