The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation is hiring a Legal and Policy Director who will lead the Sacramento public-interest organization's litigation and legislative advocacy on victims' rights and public safety, setting legal strategy, supervising legal work, and leading legislative and regulatory advocacy with the President and CEO. The position pays $185,000 to $225,000 per year, is on site in Sacramento, requires a J.D. and active California Bar membership, and applications received by November 5, 2026 get priority consideration. Position is located in Sacramento, CA.

Legal and Policy Director, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation (CJLF), Sacramento, CA. On-site, full-time. Annual salary $185,000-$225,000 plus healthcare and retirement benefits. Application deadline: November 5, 2026 (applications received by that date get priority consideration; reviewed as received until filled). Anticipated start date: December 2026. Apply on LinkedIn (Easy Apply) or by submitting a resume, cover letter and substantive legal writing sample to Ms. Josette Andrews, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, 2131 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, email admin@cjlf.org, subject "Legal & Policy Director Application." CJLF is a nationally recognized public-interest legal and policy organization founded in 1982. The Legal and Policy Director leads legal and policy work advancing victims' rights and constitutional, effective public-safety policies, working closely with and reporting to the President & CEO. Responsibilities: (1) Lead legal strategy: set and execute litigation, appellate, parole, sentencing and victims'-rights strategy with the President & CEO. (2) Direct legal work and supervise personnel: oversee legal research, briefs, regulatory comments, victim-representation initiatives, outside counsel, fellows, law students and legal support staff. (3) Lead legislative/regulatory advocacy: monitor priority bills and budget actions, maintain legislative relationships, recommend positions, prepare testimony, letters and policy proposals, and coordinate coalitions. (4) Represent CJLF publicly as a senior spokesperson and subject-matter expert on pending litigation. (5) Set objectives and measure results: develop annual objectives with the President & CEO and report quarterly to the Board. Qualifications: J.D. and active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California; substantial legal experience with demonstrated responsibility for complex litigation, appellate advocacy, criminal justice policy, or a combination; exceptional legal research, analytical and writing skills; strong knowledge of criminal and constitutional law, with sentencing, parole and victims' rights knowledge preferred; demonstrated leadership and ability to supervise legal work. Experience in prosecution, appellate litigation, legislative advocacy, or senior legal leadership is particularly valuable.