Careers

The North Carolina Justice Center is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity and protecting the rights of low-income individuals in North Carolina. For almost 30 years, the NC Justice Center has been on the front lines in the courts, at the legislature, in the media, and in communities advocating for positive changes for low-income and working North Carolinians. We hold government agencies, institutions, and other actors accountable to address the root causes of racism. We have produced major research reports that have influenced important public policy change in North Carolina. The NC Justice Center has played a primary role in most of the state’s major policy debates and successfully litigated hundreds of individual cases and class actions.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The next Executive Director must demonstrate deep personal and professional commitment to the NCJC’s mission of eliminating root causes of poverty in North Carolina by making opportunity and prosperity for all a reality. They will have a track-record of visionary and strategic leadership, inspiring and managing people, and using highly effective communication skills to cultivate and maintain strong relationships and partnerships at all levels, internally and externally. The successful candidate must have a robust commitment and demonstrated performance history of advancing justice and combating inequities, both on a systemic and policy level and in internal staffing and operations. The NCJC is open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds and lived experience, with preference given to those who have substantive experience in at least one of its five strategies: impact litigation, public policy advocacy, research, communications, and/or community outreach.

View the full NC Justice Center Executive Director Job Posting

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications received by January 2, 2026 will receive priority consideration. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/north-carolina-justice-center/executive-director.

Litigation Paralegal

Click here to apply — Upon request, The North Carolina Justice Center will provide reasonable accommodation for all candidates with disabilities.
Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
Department: Litigation
Job Title: Litigation Paralegal
Reports to: Litigation Director
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Union Status: Union
Job Group: Group 2
Hiring Range: $43,996 – $ 52,782

Overview

The North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunities and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years, NCJC has worked across policy, legal, and community platforms to address poverty and systemic inequities through legislative advocacy, litigation, public education, and coalition building. The North Carolina Justice Center is seeking a Paralegal to provide a wide variety of legal and administrative support on cases brought by, and under the direction of, the attorneys conducting litigation at the NCJC. Paralegal will also help with our client intake process and will involve assisting with community education activities.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Assist staff attorneys with preparation and research for lawsuits involving a variety of poverty law issues, including employment, worker’s rights and immigrant rights issues.
  • Maintain and manage a litigation docketing system.
  • Review and docket court calendars, orders, and other legal documents.
  • Organize and maintain case pleadings and files.
  • Review, analyze, and organize discovery and other information related to pending or potential cases.
  • Perform legal research under the direction of staff attorneys.
  • Assist staff attorneys with the preparation of discovery, court pleadings, briefs and other legal documents and court forms.
  • Provide clerical and administrative support to staff attorneys.
  • Perform investigation, organization, research, and background work as needed for lawsuits from inception through discovery and trial.
  • Prepare and coordinate filing and service pleadings and legal documents.
  • Coordinate and schedule depositions, hearings, trials, meetings, and interviews.
  • Prepare exhibits for hearings, depositions and trials.
  • Assist staff attorneys with the preparation of correspondence to court, opposing counsel, or clients.
  • Provide translation of legal documents and correspondence.
  • Organize, maintain, and update case and client information in the organization’s legal databases.
  • Interview prospective clients and serve as a point of contact for primarily Spanish-speaking clients.
  • Interpret during client interviews with attorneys and in other settings.
  • Maintain client statistics and generate reports for funders.
  • Promptly respond to requests for legal assistance received through an intake phone line.
  • Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certificate, or equivalent experience.
  • Two years of paralegal experience, preferred.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills required.
  • Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English required.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and tasks.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel) required. Knowledge of a variety of legal research databases, background searches preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission of eliminating poverty through social, economic, and racial justice.
  • Ability to travel and work occasionally in the evenings and at weekends is required.
  • Experience conducting and developing community education is helpful but not required.
  • Experience interviewing clients is helpful but not required.

Physical Requirements

The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings. Occasional need to lift up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment

This role involves a combination of remote work, in-office work at NCJC’s Raleigh headquarters, and occasional offsite travel. Some evening and weekend availability may be requested depending on casework or community needs.

Benefits 

  • Six weeks paid time off annually
  • Paid parental leave and holidays
  • Employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Flexible spending and health savings account options
  • Part of the collective bargaining unit

Equal Opportunity

The NC Justice Center is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, citizenship, military service, genetic information, natural hairstyles, or any protected status. We are a Fair Chance Employer and strive to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records.

Staff Attorney, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project

Click here to apply.

Upon request, The North Carolina Justice Center will provide reasonable accommodation for all candidates with disabilities.
Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
Department: Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Reports to: Project Director of Immigrant and Refugee Rights
FLSA Status: exempt
Union Status: Union
Job Group: Group 6
Supervises: none
Salary: $65,000-$79,111.92OverviewThe North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunities and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years, NCJC has worked across policy, legal, and community platforms to address poverty and systemic inequities through legislative advocacy, litigation, public education, and coalition building.The Staff Attorney for the Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project works closely with community members, local, state, and national-level partners and other NCJC advocates to advance systemic change in immigrants’ and refugees’ rights in North Carolina through a combination of individual representation, impact litigation, community outreach, and policy advocacy. This position will maintain a practice that primarily involves representing individuals in Immigration Court as well as before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but could incorporate cross-program work as needed. The attorney will serve as a resource for advocates and partners across the state, including private attorneys, nonprofits, and government agencies. Finally, the staff attorney will engage in collaboration with community and advocacy groups to support a collective mission to eliminate poverty and promote justice in North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work collaboratively with other Justice Center Attorneys to provide legal assistance and direct representation to immigrants in all relevant forums, including state and federal courts, and administrative agencies. This will include immigration legal matters, representing clients before the USCIS, immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Attorney may also participate in impact litigation under supervision or in collaboration with other Attorneys.
  • Conduct as needed community education and presentations on immigration law and immigrants’ rights issues and conduct legal clinics.
  • Collaborate with other Justice Center staff to address systemic issues facing immigrants and refugees.
  • Maintain regular case logs of all clients related work in case management database system.
  • Other duties may be assigned to meet the Justice Center’s needs.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Three to five years representing immigrants in immigration matters, including in immigration court.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently, ability to meet deadlines.
  • Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Highly proficient in written and spoken Spanish and English.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and 365 Suite.
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice, ability to recognize the barriers facing immigrant communities, and experience working with low-income individuals.
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equality.
  • Some travel, evening, and weekend work is required.

Certifications/Licenses Required

  • J.D. and admitted to a State Bar

Physical Requirements

The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings.

Work Environment

This role involves a combination of remote work, in-office work at NCJC’s Raleigh headquarters, and occasional offsite travel for vendor selection, meetings, or community events. Some evening and weekend availability may be requested depending on casework or community needs.

Benefits

  • Six weeks paid time off annually
  • Paid parental leave and holidays
  • Employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Flexible spending and health savings account options
  • Part of the collective bargaining unit

 

Legal Internship, Summer 2026

To Apply: Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter to:  https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/47be28c3-a5c7-4b34-b6b4-89ec95cd3c0d/North-Carolina-Justice-Center Upon request, the North Carolina Justice Center will provide reasonable accommodation for all candidates with disabilities.

Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
Job Title: Legal Intern
Positions: Multiple Positions

Overview
The North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years, the Justice Center has been on the front lines in the courts, at legislature, in the media, and communities advocating for positive changes for poor and working North Carolinians. The Justice Center has played a primary role in most of the state’s major policy debates and successfully litigated hundreds of individual cases and class actions. For more information, visit www.ncjustice.org.

The North Carolina Justice Center seeks law student interns to help us carry out our mission. This opportunity is for the summer of 2026, starting in mid-May. This is a hybrid opportunity where interns will be required to work in the office at least one day per week. We will begin reviewing applications in January 2026, conducting interviews on a rolling basis, positions will be open until filled

Key Responsibilities

Legal Internships: Legal interns work with NCJC staff on a variety of issues:

  • Legal research and writing
  • Litigation support
  • Drafting model legislation
  • Legislative research
  • Assistance with lobbying efforts
  • Research for policy reports or briefs
  • Communication with clients and constituents
  • Other related legal duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Legal interns must have a college undergraduate degree and completed at least one year of an accredited law school. Strong writing and analytical skills and ability to work with others are critical. Spanish proficiency is desirable.

Physical Requirements
The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings. Lifting up to 20 lbs. may be required.

Compensation:
The North Carolina Justice Center is a non-profit organization entirely dependent on grants and donations, consequently we encourage candidates to apply for funding through their schools and explore alternate funding opportunities. Nevertheless, the Justice Center provides limited funding to interns based on needs.

Equal Opportunity
The NC Justice Center is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, citizenship, military service, genetic information, natural hairstyles, or any protected status. We are a Fair Chance Employer and strive to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records.

The North Carolina Justice Center is an equal opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer:

The NC Justice Center is is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws. We are a Fair Chance Employer and work to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.