Policy Attorney
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About the Deason Center:

The Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center is a nonpartisan center for research and advocacy dedicated to making impactful change to the criminal legal system. The Center combines data-driven research and compelling stories to advocate for innovative reform. As part of the SMU Dedman School of Law, the Center prides itself on its collaborative interdisciplinary process, as well as its fast-paced, informal environment.

The Deason Center is respected nationwide for its expertise on the right to counsel and the early-stage criminal process. In recent years, the Center has published several research and policy papers on the process for appointing counsel and the importance of counsel at initial appearance. The Day One Campaign will expand this work by pursuing critical reforms that guarantee:

• Initial appearance within 24 hours of arrest
• Counsel at initial appearance
• Continuous representation from initial appearance to disposition

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Policy Attorney will be an experienced legal and policy advocate who joins the Center's policy team and will be focused on the national Day One campaign. The Day One campaign advances the constitutional right to counsel by providing prompt and effective representation for every arrested person. In addition to supporting this multi-state campaign, the Policy Attorney will participate in interdisciplinary right-to-counsel research teams, promote access to counsel in small, tribal, and rural (STAR) communities, and engage with the life of the SMU Law community.

The Policy Attorney must be located on campus in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, some work travel will be required.

Essential Functions:

• The Policy Attorney will assist in the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center's Day One campaign. Working with the Center leadership and the campaign director, they will assess jurisdictional needs, and research and develop state-based strategies for implementing Day One best practices. They will help research and draft policy briefs, web pages, and other forward-facing materials.

• The Policy Attorney will support the Day One campaign director in cultivating local partnerships, promoting legal and public education about Day One rights, and supporting related stakeholder efforts, including Day One training programs and pilot projects.

• The Policy Attorney will assist with other policy projects for the Deason Center. They will research and draft policy briefs, one-pagers, legislative testimony, and other public educational materials, as well as materials for press briefings, CLEs, stakeholder consultations, and other similar front-facing engagements.

• The Policy Attorney will contribute to other Deason Center efforts, including supervising students and engaging with the University community, as well as helping to develop educational programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Juris doctor is required.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Candidate with experience in public defense or criminal justice policy is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The successful candidate must have strong skills in research and writing. Other desirable competencies include community organizing, legislative or policy advocacy, and student supervision.

Valuable skills include experience with, or knowledge of, right to counsel jurisprudence and initial appearance procedure. They would have a track record that demonstrates success in juggling competing priorities, exercising good judgment, demonstrating a keen eye for detail, and meeting deadlines. The ideal candidate will be invested in achieving equitable early-stage criminal processes and have experience in multiple jurisdictions.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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