Staff Attorney – Economic Justice

The Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ) seeks a skilled Attorney with litigation or public policy experience for the Economic Justice (EJ) Campaign. The individual hired for this role will be under the direct supervision of the Director of Economic Justice and will perform various legal research and advocacy duties in support of the Justice Court Pilot Project (JCPP). The JCPP is a project focused on buttressing MCJ’s wider access to justice work through direct partnerships with Justice Courts in targeted communities. The Economic Justice Campaign Staff Attorney (Staff Attorney) will perform various duties in support of the Director of Economic Justice (EJCD) and the Economic Justice Campaign. 

MCJ is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice statewide. Our lawyers work with community leaders to support their social justice campaigns and to channel the energies of the legal community to combat discrimination and poverty. With offices in Jackson, Gulfport, and Indianola, we seek systemic solutions that protect the rights of consumers, secure access to healthcare and education, defend voting rights for all, and make fair and affordable housing available for all Mississippians.

Position Summary

As a full-time employee based in our Jackson, Gulfport, or Indianola office, the Staff Attorney will advance the mission of MCJ by providing high-quality legal representation, advancing policy advocacy, supporting strategic advocacy, and advancing community-driven campaigns aligned with MCJ’s racial and economic justice goals.  The Staff Attorney will manage a litigation and advocacy caseload, contribute to cross-issue collaboration, incorporate community voices into legal strategy, and support external partnerships as directed by the EJCD. The ideal candidate is a legal professional with a demonstrated commitment to equity, community empowerment, and systems change. 

Job Responsibilities

This Staff Attorney’s job responsibilities may include the following, as assigned by the EJCD:

• Engage in litigation, policy advocacy, and/or administrative proceedings on behalf of clients in the Economic Justice Campaign.
• Prepare resources that promote policy changes in foreclosure prevention, predatory lending, and expungement law.
• Represent individuals in cases related to expungement, foreclosure, and Justice Court matters, including negotiation, motion practice, and trial preparation; advise clients on legal rights, risks, and strategy.
• Draft legal memoranda, reports, correspondence, and other materials in support of the JCPP and Economic Justice Campaign.
• Facilitate and coordinate convenings, trainings, and peer learning sessions for Justice Court personnel.
• Investigate claims involving MDHS to prepare and file administrative complaints involving food security and represent clients throughout the administrative process.
• Collaborate with Economic Justice Campaign members and cross-campaign colleagues to complete assigned tasks.
• Participate in assigned expungement and foreclosure clinics and seminars, including attending assigned meetings.
• Work with judges to create uniform processes/policies surrounding economic justice and stability.
• Attend monthly meetings and other campaign-related meetings, as assigned.
• Pursue and support legal strategies in collaboration with impacted communities and partner organizations.
• Contribute to grant reporting and maintain data for use in grant proposals, grant reports and organizational records.
• Support community education and outreach, including identifying partners, conduct outreach, and delivering know-your-rights trainings and legal education in community settings.
• Monitor relevant legislative, regulatory, or judicial developments and provide legal analysis to inform MCJ’s advocacy and policy efforts.
• Collaborate with MCJ’s Communications Department to highlight client stories and legal victories that advance MCJ’s mission.
• Travel, when needed, for speaking engagements and other work-related meetings.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the goals of the Economic Justice Campaign.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Mississippi or admitted to the bar in another state with the ability to attain Mississippi licensure within six months of the hire date.
• Minimum of two (2) years of practical litigation, clerkship, legal services, or other relevant experience is preferred.
• Experience collecting and maintaining impact data, client records, and files.
• Demonstrated oral advocacy, legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to produce clear, well-organized work product.
• Strong interest in court systems, procedural reform, and access to justice issues. 
• Experience working with and in support of low-income communities and communities of color in a respectful and collaborative manner, preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Self-directed and dependable, with excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative spirit and willingness to support team goals and cross-campaign work.
• Technological competency with Adobe, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and legal research platforms (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis).
• Ability to travel statewide as needed, with a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and appropriate automobile insurance.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Mississippi Center for Justice and to advancing racial and economic justice.

Salary/Benefits

Salary is competitive and dependent on experience. The Mississippi Center for Justice offers a generous benefits package, including: medical, dental, life, and vision insurance, short-term disability, paid time off, participation in a retirement savings program, paid family and medical leave, and other benefits. 

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and detailed resume highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications. These materials will be reviewed to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications prior to extending interview invitations.  Documents should be emailed with the subject line “Candidate for EJ Staff Attorney Sp. 2026”, to the attention of Charity Bruce Sweet, Director of the Economic Justice Campaign, at mcjcareers@mscenterforjustice.org.