Human Rights Attorney 1

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.

CHRO invites applicants to apply for a Human Rights Attorney 1 position in our Legal Division, located at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT.  This position will assist in protecting the public from discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation and credit transactions by mediating,  investigating and litigating discriminatory practice complaints before human rights referees or in the Superior Court.  

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Mon - Fri, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.  

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.  

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DOL.HR@ct.gov. 

 

Please ensure your application is complete and you have included your Resume in the “Resume Tab” on your application.  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualifications for this position.  These documents may include cover letter, writing sample, performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the Commission.

This position is non-examined. Open to the public.

In the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities this class is accountable for receiving training in legal research and work in the Office of Commission Counsel.

As a legal practitioner receives generalized training in routine to moderately complex legal work; prepares and represents Commission in contested case hearings and litigation before other administrative bodies and lower courts in matters jointly prescribed by Commission and Office of the Attorney General including but not limited to employment discrimination cases and any proceeding where a state agency or officer is an adversary party; attends settlement, conciliation, mediation and pre-trial conferences; assists and provides legal counsel and assistance to Commission constituent units; analyzes and applies state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, constitutional provisions, administrative and court decisions and other legal authorities; assists in preparing and representing Commission in more difficult cases; interviews witnesses, complainants, corporate and governmental officials, takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence in form of statements, documents, records, exhibits, photographs and electronic recordings for presentation in administrative or court proceedings; performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda on assigned cases; prepares subpoenas, affidavits and interrogatories in connection with cases in litigation or under investigation; may act independently in these areas as assigned; performs related duties as required.

This specific position:  

-Represents the Commission in administrative hearings before human rights referees and judicial magistrates;

-Represents the Commission in court litigation, such as housing election cases, cases where the Commission intervenes as  of right, and civil actions filed pursuant to P.A. 19-16; 

-Drafts pretrial motions, legal memoranda, discovery, witness and exhibit lists, and post-trial briefs;

-Takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence for hearings and trials; 

- Examines and cross-examines witnesses at hearings and trials;

-Assists in advancing the Commission’s mission through preparing petitions for declaratory rulings, amicus briefs, and Commission-initiated complaints on novel or unresolved legal issues;

-Conducts investigations and mediations of discriminatory practice complaints;

-Makes recommendations on requests for reconsideration or reopening of closed cases;

-  Assists in providing legal counsel to Commission constituent units.

Considerable knowledge of basic legal principles and their application; knowledge of federal and state civil rights legislation; knowledge of administrative and constitutional law and rules of evidence; knowledge of pleadings and motion practice; knowledge of economic and social impact of discrimination on protected classes; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; litigation and legal counseling skills or aptitude; ability to analyze legal problems.

A degree from an accredited law school.

Preference will be given to candidates who meet the following criteria:

 ·        Civil rights litigation experience or interest;

 ·        Litigation and/or appellate clerkship experience;

·        Knowledge of administrative agency processes (CHRO, EEOC);

·        Knowledge of the economic and social impact of discrimination;

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills.

1. Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.