HERE - Georgia Justice Project
HERE - Georgia Justice Project
HERE - Georgia Justice Project
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Staff Attorney – Criminal Defense<br />
Position Description<br />
THE ORGANIZATION<br />
The <strong>Georgia</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> <strong>Project</strong> (GJP) is a tax-exempt organization which has been serving the Atlanta<br />
community since 1986. Our mission is to defend poor people accused of a crime and, win or lose, stand<br />
with our clients as they rebuild their lives.<br />
GJP provides legal and social services to indigent persons primarily from Fulton and DeKalb<br />
counties. Our lawyers provide criminal defense representation and other legal services, including policy<br />
advocacy, to remove obstacles to employment, housing and education arising from a criminal<br />
record. Our social workers provide ongoing, multi-faceted support for our legal clients that can include<br />
substance abuse counseling, jail and prison visitation, direct assistance, family support, employment<br />
readiness and job placement assistance.<br />
GJP has an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million. We are funded entirely through private<br />
donations. GJP has 15 staff members including the following:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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three lawyers, including our Executive Director;<br />
three social workers, including our Chief Operating Officer;<br />
two persons in Development, including our Director of Development; and<br />
four other staff members who support our services.<br />
GJP is recognized as a high-impact organization in the 2012 edition of the book, Forces for Good: The<br />
Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits.<br />
THE OPPORTUNITY<br />
<strong>Georgia</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> <strong>Project</strong> seeks a Staff Attorney who will focus on GJP’s holistic criminal defense<br />
representation. The attorney provides direct legal representation to GJP clients in criminal court in<br />
Fulton and DeKalb counties. Attorneys work collaboratively with a social worker also assigned to the<br />
client. GJP also seeks to maintain relationships with clients in prison, former clients, clients in the jobs<br />
program and families of clients when appropriate. Attorneys will participate in these relationships as<br />
appropriate. (for more information, visit www.GJP.org)<br />
The position has a proposed start of September 2013.<br />
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Genny@GJP.org.<br />
<strong>Georgia</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> <strong>Project</strong> •438 Edgewood Avenue SE • Atlanta, <strong>Georgia</strong> 30312 • t 404.827.0026 f 404.827.0026 • www.GJP.org
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES<br />
Client Services:<br />
Provide direct legal representation for a caseload of GJP clients<br />
Complete assessments on potential clients and prepare written recommendations as outlined in<br />
the Intake process<br />
Participate in case selection process of the organization<br />
Provide information regarding case capacity as requested<br />
Plan and execute legal research, legal investigation, legal strategy needed for representation<br />
Work with social worker to develop a case plan for each legal client<br />
Meet with legal clients regularly and maintain client files reflecting all activity related to legal<br />
case<br />
Present status reports on cases and clients<br />
Meet State bar requirements regarding professional and ethical activities<br />
Initiate at least one contact (written or visitation) annually with clients in prison<br />
Participate in planning and executing special events for organization clients<br />
Demonstrate GJP’s holistic approach in selection and work with all clients<br />
Administrative tasks:<br />
Maintain client files and appropriate notes on all legal activity and client interactions<br />
Prepare reports for executive director, board and organization as requested<br />
Assist in supervision of volunteers and interns working with the organization<br />
Assist in client services program evaluation and development<br />
Organization tasks:<br />
Follow organizational policies as stated in Employee Handbook<br />
Represent the organization to various communities and constituencies as requested<br />
Work collaboratively with other program staff on behalf of clients<br />
Work cooperatively with all staff to accomplish the mission of the organization<br />
Assist other departments in organizational projects as needed<br />
Participate in and attend all GJP functions<br />
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS<br />
Licensed Attorney with the State Bar of <strong>Georgia</strong> (required).<br />
A minimum of five years of criminal defense experience (required).<br />
Experience with the criminal courts of Fulton and DeKalb counties.<br />
A number of (5-10) Jury trials.<br />
Proven experience in working with investigators and paralegals.<br />
Experience in working with student interns and volunteers.<br />
Deep commitment to the mission of justice and rehabilitation for poor people in the criminal<br />
justice system.<br />
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.<br />
Ability to work as part of a team.<br />
Ability to manage the multiple priorities and fast pace of an entrepreneurial workplace.<br />
Proficiency in Microsoft, Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.<br />
<strong>Georgia</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> <strong>Project</strong> •438 Edgewood Avenue SE • Atlanta, <strong>Georgia</strong> 30312 • t 404.827.0026 f 404.827.0026 • www.GJP.org