Senior Supervising Attorney, Economic Justice

Senior Supervising Attorney, Economic Justice

Organization: Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
Location: Atlanta, GA; Jackson, MS; Miami, FL; Montgomery, AL; New Orleans, LA (Hybrid)
Salary: $164,864 minimum annually

The Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking a Senior Supervising Attorney committed to economic justice. The Economic Justice team is working to advance the SPLC's strategic goal to eradicate poverty by expanding access to opportunity and eliminating racial economic inequality in the Deep South.

In the area of Land Justice, we protect and reclaim land in Black and Brown communities to build generational wealth and support community-driven visions of economic development. We also seek Housing Justice by advancing the human right to housing, ending the criminalization of homelessness, and dismantling racially discriminatory policies that deny Black and Brown communities the right to safe, secure, and affordable housing and essential housing-related services. Our other work includes Protecting the Social Safety Net to ensure equitable access to government programs so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our work on Ending the Exploitation and Criminalization of Poverty focuses on stopping exploitative and punitive policies that siphon wealth from Black and Brown communities by government and predatory private actors.

Who You Are

• Experienced. Demonstrated experience litigating individual and class action civil rights cases in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels.
• People Manager. Experienced legal staff manager with proven success in leading, training, and developing teams.
• Effective Leader. Established leadership in creating work plans, setting annual goals, and supporting and tracking staff performance.
• Advocate. Experience working with community organizations, grassroots campaigns, and impacted communities, particularly in the Deep South, to promote economic justice.
• Creative. Ability to create vision and take calculated risks in crafting and executing strategies to move litigation forward.
• Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work with other ALITs, external organizations, and stakeholders to advance the work and cases of the Economic Justice ALIT.
• Communicative. Exceptional communication skills and ability to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences through writing and speaking.
• Mission-Driven. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC's mission.

What You'll Do

• Lead the implementation of SPLC's economic justice legal advocacy strategies, especially in the Deep South.
• Develop, lead, supervise, consult, and advise on complex civil rights impact cases in federal and state courts and administrative entities.
• Supervise and manage litigation teams including SPLC attorneys, paralegals, analysts, investigators, cooperating counsel, fellows, and legal interns.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Legal Director and Policy Department to identify and support SPLC's state, local, and federal policy priorities.
• Serve as a public thought leader on issues confronting the communities the SPLC serves, representing SPLC in the media, at conferences, and in other public venues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, coalition members, and legal allies.
• Hire, train, and monitor staff performance and development, and conduct performance reviews.
• Uphold JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic, and impactful work.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least eight (8) years of federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience
• At least two (2) years of supervisor experience managing legal professionals
• Membership in good standing of at least one state bar in the United States, preferably Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Florida
• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $164,864.00 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience.

• Competitive Pay with location differentials (Atlanta/Decatur: +$3,000; Miami: +$7,000)
• Comprehensive Healthcare – medical, dental, vision; majority of premium paid by SPLC; trans-inclusive and transition-related services covered
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – SPLC matches dollar-for-dollar up to 4% plus 6% discretionary contribution
• Generous Time Off – 4–6 weeks vacation, 12 sick days, 18 paid holidays including week of July 4th
• Parental Leave – 12 weeks paid leave for birth, fostering, or adoption
• Professional Development – $1,500–$2,000 annual allowance; tuition reimbursement up to $15,000 lifetime
• Relocation Stipend – Up to $9,500
• Mental Health Support – BetterHelp, Headspace, and Employee Assistance Program included
• Gender Affirmation Leave – Up to 2 weeks paid
• Sabbaticals for long-term staff contributions

Where & How You'll Work

This position is hybrid. Staff will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week. This position reports to the Deputy Legal Director, Economic Justice ALIT.

Office locations include: Atlanta, GA | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Montgomery, AL | New Orleans, LA

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. SPLC considers applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Southern Poverty Law Center?

The SPLC is a nonprofit civil rights organization founded in 1971 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. It works to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people through litigation, advocacy, education, and community organizing across the Deep South.

What does the Economic Justice team at SPLC do?

The Economic Justice team works to eradicate poverty and eliminate racial economic inequality in the Deep South. Its work spans Land Justice (protecting Black and Brown land ownership), Housing Justice (advancing the right to housing and ending homelessness criminalization), Protecting the Social Safety Net, and Ending the Exploitation and Criminalization of Poverty.

What is the salary for this role?

The minimum starting salary is $164,864.00 annually. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Staff in Atlanta/Decatur receive an additional $3,000 location differential; those in Miami receive $7,000.

Where is this position located?

This is a hybrid role with work locations across SPLC offices in Atlanta, GA; Jackson, MS; Miami, FL; Montgomery, AL; and New Orleans, LA. Staff are expected to work in-office at least three days per week.

What are the minimum qualifications?

Candidates must have at least 8 years of federal court civil litigation or comparable legal experience, at least 2 years of supervisory experience managing legal professionals, a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, and membership in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar — preferably in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Florida.

What benefits does SPLC offer?

SPLC offers comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision coverage (majority of premium paid by SPLC), a 401(k) with up to 10% employer contribution, 4–6 weeks vacation, 12 sick days, 18 paid holidays, 12 weeks paid parental leave, $1,500–$2,000 annual professional development allowance, tuition reimbursement up to $15,000 lifetime, relocation stipend up to $9,500, BetterHelp mental health counseling, Headspace, gender affirmation leave, and paid sabbaticals for long-term staff.

Is SPLC an equal opportunity employer?

Yes. SPLC is committed to diversity and considers applicants equally without regard to age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

How do I apply?

Apply online through SPLC's application portal at: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/southernpovertylawcenter/jobs/8417557002