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Staff Attorney/Senior – Commercial Tobacco Control Programs – Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Posted 1 year ago

The Public Health Law Center (the “Center”), a dynamic, public interest affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking to hire multiple full-time Staff Attorneys/Senior Staff Attorneys who have a passion for working for the social good and who share our commitment to advancing racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression. We are looking for candidates with a demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

The Center, one of America’s preeminent centers of expertise in public health law, strives to advance health equity through the power of law and policy. The Center supports its partners in transforming their environments through policies to reduce or eliminate commercial tobacco, promote healthy food and physical activity, and support governance processes designed to lead to equitable outcomes. To learn more about the Public Health Law Center, click here. For more information about Mitchell Hamline School of Law, click here.

The prospective employees will report to the Program Director of Commercial Tobacco Control. The Commercial Tobacco Control Programs provide legal technical assistance to public health professional and advocates throughout the country, develop resources on the most effective legal and policy measures to reduce the burden of diseases and death caused by tobacco use in the United States, and provide strategic assistance to develop and implement bold policy options to end the tobacco epidemic. The Staff Attorneys/Senior Staff Attorneys will support the Center’s commercial tobacco control programs to advance health equity by strengthening laws and policies relating to commercial tobacco products.

Please note to be considered as a Senior Staff Attorney, the candidate must have at least five years of relevant legal work experience; demonstrated ability to work with substantial independence in furtherance of the Center’s mission; to provide mentorship and support to less experienced colleagues; and to initiate project development work. For both the Staff Attorney and Senior Staff Attorney, compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Program Director in meeting the performance objectives of the Center.
  • Provide legal technical assistance to Tribal public health advocates, community groups, and to state and local health officials, government attorneys, and other public health advocates working to advance public health and health equity through law and policy.
  • Work with constituency groups to deliver meaningful services and support, including participation on task forces and work groups, speaking engagements, and training on public health law and policy issues.
  • Research, analyze, write, and present reports, articles, sample policies, and other written materials under the direction of the Program Director.
  • Assist with project development and reporting requirements, including preparation of budgets, narratives, and work-plans for grant proposals and periodic reports to funders.
  • Depending on experience and skill level, manage and direct specific project activities for the Center, subject to oversight by the Program Director.
  • Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.

Required Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate degree.
  • Active license to practice law in Minnesota, or any other state or Tribe within the United States. Must be in good standing with the applicable licensing authority.
  • At least 2 years of relevant work experience.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity.
  • Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to explain complex issues or ideas using language appropriate to audiences of specialists or non-specialists.
  • Great public speaking/presentation skills, including the ability to articulate mission and purpose of work to funders and other audiences.
  • Excellent legal research and writing skills.
  • Experience in developing written legal and policy educational materials for varied audiences and educational levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in working with Tribal law, federal Indian law, public health law, municipal law, community planning, poverty law, civil rights law, or administrative law.
  • Experience in drafting, implementing, or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal laws.
  • Experience working with other attorneys, policy analysts, or public health professionals.

To be considered for this position, please provide your resume, cover letter, including salary requirements.

  • Members of diverse and under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. (AA/EOE)
  • Application review will begin on June 6, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

Mitchell Hamline School of Law provides a comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include:

  • Healthcare Benefits
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Educational Benefits
  • Training and Professional Development
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Leave Benefits
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Flexible Working Hours
  • Generous Holidays and Winter Break

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, veteran/military status, disability or handicap, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or any other protected class status defined by law.

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