William Mitchell College of Law – Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney – Healthy Eating and Active Living Programs
Position Purpose:
The Public Health Law Center (or, The Center), a dynamic, public interest affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking to hire a full-time Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney who has a passion for working for the social good and who shares our commitment to continued learning on issues related to racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression. 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 promote healthy food and physical activity, reduce or eliminate commercial tobacco, and support governance processes designed to lead to equitable outcomes.
We are dedicated to building a diverse employee base that is committed to teaching and working in an
environment focused on equity and inclusion. The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney is responsible for
ensuring equity and inclusion is rooted into their day-to-day work. The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney must strive to promote equity through continuous learning and improvement, the positive development of our community, and the identification and removal of barriers.
To learn more about the Public Health Law Center, click here. For more information about Mitchell Hamline School of Law, click here.
The prospective employee will report to the Program Director of Healthy Eating & Active Living. The Healthy Eating & Active Living provides legal assistance by consultation, education, and training to support Tribal, state, and local communities developing laws and policies to support healthy food systems, active living, and alcohol control in ways that advance healthy equity goals. A substantial part of the employee’s time will be devoted to supporting the Center’s work and initiatives with Tribal communities and Tribal public health advocates. The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney will support the Center’s food systems and/or physical activity policy work, and our equity in governance work.
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 Public Health Law Center.
• Provide 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 PHLC, subject to oversight by the Program Director.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.
Required Qualifications:
• Juris Doctorate or JD 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.
• Experience working with Tribal government staff or Native-led organizations.
• High degree of commitment to advancing health equity.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners of many
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:
• Attorney admitted to a Tribal bar.
• Experience in working with Tribal law, federal Indian law, public health law, municipal law, community
planning, food system related policy, poverty law, civil rights law, or administrative law.
• Experience in drafting, implementing, or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal laws.
• Significant experience with Microsoft Office products.
• Experience working with other attorneys, policy analysts, or public health professionals.
To apply for this position, click here. For your application 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 May 16, 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.