AALDEF's Democracy Program uses litigation, advocacy, and community education to promote fairness in the electoral process and invigorate the civic participation and political empowerment of Asian Americans, especially new citizens and persons not yet fluent in English. By expanding access to the electoral process for Asian Americans, AALDEF improves the quality of democracy for all.

AALDEF has litigated cases under the Voting Rights Act, monitored elections in 14 states to document barriers to voting, advocated for election reforms that expand language access to the vote, and organized community education forums across the country. Key priorities will be to challenge voter suppression measures, ensure that all eligible Asian Americans are able to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 elections, including voting by absentee ballot, during early voting or on Election Day, and increase community engagement in the redistricting process at multiple legislative district levels. 

The Staff Attorney will work with other program attorneys and organizers on the following activities:

1.  Document, prevent, and resolve Asian American voter problems in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections;

2.  Assist in preparation of report on 2020 election protection activities and multilingual exit poll results;

3.  Meet with community groups and train community advocates about the redistricting process, communities of interest, relevant timelines, and recent local developments in jurisdictions with large Asian American populations;

4.  Provide technical assistance for community advocates preparing testimony for public hearings on redistricting plans and assist them in developing comprehensive statewide or local maps for submission to legislative bodies or commissions;

5.  Collaborate with other civil rights groups to develop joint strategies and unity maps to protect minority voting rights;

6.  Challenge redistricting plans and other practices that violate the Voting Rights Act and unlawfully prevent Asian Americans from electing candidates of choice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three to five years of experience in public interest law, advocacy, community organizing, or nonprofit work;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues; 
• Familiarity with Asian American communities and issues;  
• Detail-oriented, independent and focused; 
• Admitted to the New York or other bar; 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Past experience working on voting rights or election reform issues;
• Ability to speak an Asian language;
• Litigation experience.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to:

Democracy Program - Staff Attorney Search

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)

99 Hudson Street, 12th floor

New York, NY 10013-2815

Fax: 212-966-4303

Email: info@aaldef.org (please put "Staff Attorney, Democracy Program" in the subject line) 

Deadline:

Rolling. The position will be filled as soon as possible.