JMH Human Resource Consult is a leading provider of comprehensive HR solutions, dedicated to empowering businesses with exceptional talent and strategic HR practices. With a focus on [mention specific areas of expertise, e.g., recruitment, talent management, HR consulting], we partner with organizations of all sizes to optimize their workforce and achieve their business objectives.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Defense Attorney
Location: Benue
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary
- The Lawyer will provide support for legal aid operations of the organization by direct legal representation to individuals who have been illegally or unjustly detained, and offering legal services to vulnerable populations in civil and administrative matters. The role combines legal casework with advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration with justice sector actors.
- The successful candidate will be committed to human rights and social justice, capable of working in challenging legal and field environments, and passionate about defending the rights of the most marginalized.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Representation & Litigation:
- Represent clients in court proceedings and detention hearings.
- File habeas corpus applications, bail motions, and appeals on behalf of illegally detained and convicted people.
- Take lead on high-priority or precedent-setting cases involving rights violations.
- Organise intake, client counseling, and legal documentation.
Case Management & Legal Aid Oversight:
- Maintain accurate, confidential case records and reports.
- Prioritize urgent legal cases such as unlawful arrests, pretrial detention, or abuse in custody.
Legal Research & Advocacy:
- Conduct legal research on national and international human rights laws.
- Draft legal briefs, policy memos, and shadow reports for human rights mechanisms.
- Support public interest litigation and strategic advocacy campaigns.
Community Outreach & Empowerment:
- Build networks with local justice actors, including police, prison officials, and community leaders.
- Participate in mobile legal clinics and outreach missions to detention centers and slums.
Partnerships & Institutional Engagement:
- Represent the NGO in meetings with bar associations, courts, human rights bodies, and partner NGOs.
- Support development of legal training materials, handbooks, and standard operating procedures.
Qualifications & Skills
Required:
- LL.B. from a recognized law school.
- Valid license to practice law in Nigeria.
- 1+ years of experience in legal aid, criminal defense, or human rights litigation.
- Strong litigation, legal drafting, and oral advocacy skills.
- Proven commitment to justice for marginalized populations.
- Fluency in English (spoken and written).
- Willingness to travel to field locations, including remote or underserved areas.
Preferred:
- Experience with public interest law, prison law, or transitional justice.
- Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms or regional human rights courts.
- Experience working in low-resource or post-conflict settings.
Compensation & Benefits
- N75,000 basic salaries
- N25,000 for logistics
- Professional development support (CLEs, conferences, legal training).
- 13th month pay
- Travel bonus.
Application Closing Date
31st July, 2025.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV, cover letter, and legal writing sample to: torkulaithiel@yahoo.com using “Application – Lawyer, Legal Aid & Human Rights (Defense Attorney)” as the subject of the email.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.