Jahira Padilla Diaz is a paralegal in the Workplace Justice Project.
Phone: (410) 625-9409
Email
JOB TITLE: Executive Assistant
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
LOCATION/HOURS: Hybrid (At least three days on-site)
OVERVIEW
Founded in 1985, the Public Justice Center (PJC) uses legal tools to challenge poverty and racial inequity in Maryland and beyond. We represent people who are standing up for their rights. And we advocate to change the systems that keep people down. We work to empower communities and collaborate with advocates to build a just society. The Executive Assistant to the Executive Director is a new role at the Public Justice Center. The ideal candidate will partner with and support the Executive Director in cultivating a first-class workplace culture equipped to effectively implement the mission and vision of the PJC.
I. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Provide administrative and organizational support to the Executive Director.
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality
- Manage calendaring and scheduling
- Book travel and event registration
- Prepare reports and presentations as necessary
- Handle correspondence as requested
B. Prepare weekly and meeting specific briefings as requested.
C. Provide staffing support for the Executive Director at requested convenings and events.
D. Prioritize communication and engagement on behalf of the Executive Director with key internal and external stakeholders.
E. Record and distribute notes during requested meetings.
F. Provide research support on key initiatives and manage project implementation as needed.
G. Provide high level strategic support for senior leaders.
H. Organize and maintain sensitive information, records, and documents with discretion.
I. Serve as a liaison between the Board of Directors (or their designated staff) and the Executive Director in support of effective operations.
J. Research and assist with planning various company events, board meetings and other convenings as assigned.
K. Work collaboratively with the Administration and Development Teams and other project teams to accomplish PJC’s mission and vision.
L. Perform other duties as requested.
II. REQUIRED SKILLS:
A. At least an associate’s degree plus five years of work experience OR at least seven years of work experience in a similar role preferred.
B. Exceptional organizational abilities.
C. Strong communication skills.
D. Highly adaptable problem-solving skills.
E. Prior support for a c-suite executive or senior leader highly preferred.
F. Dependable, detailed oriented, results-driven and proven ability to work in a fast-paced work environment to manage and complete multiple priorities.
G. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and a working knowledge of technology in general.
H. Able to describe a commitment to equity and building a just society.
I. Effectively organize and manage work to complete assignments by established deadlines.
J. Ability to work with minimal supervision to manage multiple priorities and keep team abreast of competing priorities.
K. Analyze problems and propose creative and effective solutions.
L. Contribute to positive, supportive relationships.
M. Good verbal and written communication with colleagues, supervisors and outside vendors and contractors.
Compensation and terms of employment
This is a 40-hour full-time, non-exempt position that will require working in the Baltimore office at least 3 days per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. This position is based in Baltimore and may require local and national travel. The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $75,000 dependent upon experience and credentialling. A language bonus of $3,000/year is available, if you can communicate effectively in Spanish in the completion of your work. An excellent cafeteria benefit package in the annual amount of $16,800 is also provided. This package offers health, vision, dental, short and long term disability insurance, and retirement options. Cafeteria benefits packages give employees flexibility to choose how to direct their benefits. For example, this package can cover 100% of employee healthcare premiums, but an employee can choose to direct those funds towards retirement if they already have health insurance. PJC employees receive at least 15 days of paid leave, with increases based on experience, 10 paid holidays, 15 days of sick leave annually and parental leave if you qualify.
Applications
This position has a desired start date of no later than October 15, 2025. We will accept applications through September 15, 2025. To apply, please submit – by email only – a cover letter explaining your interest and fit for the role, a resume, a short writing sample, and the names and telephone numbers of three references. Please send applications to: PerkinsT@publicjustice.org, with “Executive Assistant” from [your name]” in the subject line.
Physical/Mental Demands and Office Environment
The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Public Justice Center is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage Black, Latine, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
JOB TITLE: Administrative Coordinator
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Operations Manager
PROJECT TEAM: Finance & Administration
LOCATION/HOURS: On-site Monday thru Friday (9 am – 5 pm)
OVERVIEW
Founded in 1985, the Public Justice Center (PJC) uses legal tools to challenge poverty and racial inequity in Maryland and beyond. We represent people who are standing up for their rights. And we advocate to change the systems that keep people down. We work to empower communities and collaborate with advocates to build a just society. The Administrative Coordinator at the Public Justice Center is a critical member of the Finance & Administration team. The ideal candidate will have a strong sense of professionalism, proactive problem-solving skills and attention to finer details in support of a highly functioning organization.
I. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Provide administrative support to:
- Director of Finance & Administration
- Operations Manager
- Program Staff and Attorneys
B. Manage the main reception area to greet visitors, clients, and vendors. Business casual attire is required.
C. Daily, manage a high volume of incoming telephone calls, screen calls, and when appropriate, refers the calls to other organizations for assistance that are outside of PJC’s scope of services.
D. Input caller’s information into case management software and assign calls to the appropriate project teams for follow-up.
E. Process incoming and outgoing US mail, FedEx and other courier services.
F. Copy legal briefs and use binding machine to produce requested copies. Mail according to attorney instructions.
G. Troubleshoot office equipment and arrange for service if applicable.
H. Report suite maintenance issues to building services using their portal and follow-up to ensure the repairs are completed.
I. Liaison to resolve technology issues in coordination with IT vendor.
J. Order and maintain an inventory of office supplies.
K. Research and assist with planning various company events, board meetings and other convenings as assigned.
L. Perform other duties as requested.
II. REQUIRED SKILLS:
A. At least an associate’s degree plus three years of work experience OR at least six years of work experience in a similar role preferred.
B. Dependable, detailed oriented, results-driven and proven ability to work in a fast-paced work environment to manage and complete multiple priorities.
C. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and a working knowledge of technology in general.
D. Timely and accurate use of case management software, timekeeping, and other necessary office systems.
E. The Finance and Administration Team may be exposed to confidential information and documents. The Administrative Coordinator is expected to adhere to strict confidentiality if exposed to such documents and communication.
F. Able to describe a commitment to equity and building a just society.
G. Effectively organize and manage work to complete assignments by established deadlines.
H. Ability to work with minimal supervision to manage multiple priorities and keep team abreast of competing priorities.
I. Analyze problems and propose creative and effective solutions.
J. Contribute to positive, supportive relationships.
K. Strong verbal and written communication with colleagues, supervisors and outside vendors and contractors.
L. Ability to work collaboratively with the Administration Team and other project teams to accomplish PJC work.
Compensation and terms of employment
This is a 40-hour full-time, non-exempt position that will require working in the Baltimore office 5 days a week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. This position is based in Baltimore and may require local travel. The salary range for this position is $40,000 – $60,000 dependent upon experience and credentialling. A language bonus of $3,000/year is available, if you can communicate effectively in Spanish in the completion of your work. An excellent cafeteria benefit package in the annual amount of $16,800 is also provided. This package offers health, vision, dental, short and long term disability insurance, and retirement options. Cafeteria benefits packages give employees flexibility to choose how to direct their benefits. For example, this package can cover 100% of employee healthcare premiums, but an employee can choose to direct those funds towards retirement if they already have health insurance. PJC employees receive at least 15 days of paid leave, with increases based on experience, 10 paid holidays, 15 days of sick leave annually and parental leave if you qualify.
Applications
This position has a desired start date of October 1, 2025. We will accept applications until the position is filled, but for priority consideration please apply by September 12, 2025. To apply, please submit – by email only – a cover letter explaining your interest, a resume, a short writing sample, and the names and telephone numbers of three references. Please send applications to: HarrisS@publicjustice.org, with “Administrative Coordinator” from [your name]” in the subject line.
Physical/Mental Demands and Office Environment
The physical/mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Public Justice Center is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage Black, Latine, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
Elaineh Paulino is a paralegal in the Human Right to Housing Project.
Phone: (410) 625-9409 x235
Email
Dr. Khalilah M. Harris joins Public Justice Center as Executive Director after over two decades in policy and justice. She recently served as Executive Vice President of Program Strategy at the Center for Policing Equity and as a campaign advisor for a mayoral campaign in New York City. Dr. Harris brings a unique perspective to her work from an extensive career fighting to expand access to opportunity through a racial equity lens. Over the course of her career she has organized and been an advocate on a range of issues including access to quality K-12 public education, economic development, policing reform, women’s rights, Black maternal health and building an inclusive workforce. Native to Brooklyn, New York and nurtured by Baltimore, Maryland, Khalilah is also a proud mother to three amazing children and daughter to Costa Rican and Jamaican immigrants – all of which grounds her work and shapes her global perspective.
Dr. Harris serves as a Commissioner on the inaugural Community Reinvestment and Reparations Commission for Baltimore City and was recently elected Vice Chair for grantmaking. She is also an appointee to Maryland’s Police Training and Standards Commission and president of the board of the Charm City Pearls Foundation, Inc. Dr. Harris previously served as the first Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans in the Obama administration and later served in the Biden administration as chief of staff at the US Office of Personnel Management. Between the two administrations she served as managing director of the K-12 education policy team at the Center for American Progress. Khalilah has been a contributor on news networks such as Black News Channel, MSNBC, and, The Real News. She’s published research and opinion pieces and been sought after as a reputable and knowledgeable source in a variety of news outlets including the Washington Post, Education Week, The 74 Million, the Baltimore Sun, the Hill and others.
Dr. Harris is a proud alumna of Morgan State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She obtained her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and later earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development from the University of Pennsylvania. Khalilah is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland and serves in support of a number of local and national civic organizations including as a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Phone: (410) 625-9409
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Aviso de acción colectiva en el caso Rivera Brito, et al. contra New Life Healthy Living, LLC, et al. – Leer en Español
The notice below describes a lawsuit filed by a group of employees against New Life Healthy Living, LLC; New Life Adult Medical Day Care, LLC; Aashiana, LLC; and/or Alif Manejwala. The lawsuit claims these employers failed to pay their workers fully for overtime worked. The complaint is available here. Please see below for the full notice and instructions on what you need to do if you want to file a claim in the case.
Follow this link for a consent form to join the lawsuit Rivera Brito, et al. v. New Life Healthy Living, LLC, et al. Forms should be mailed or delivered to:
Amy Gellatly
Public Justice Center
201 North Charles Street, Suite 1200
Baltimore, MD 21201
The notice signed by the Judge in this case is at this link: notice of collective action.
NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE ACTION
This is a Court-authorized Notice. This is not an advertisement from a lawyer.
TO: Any hourly worker who was hired by New Life Healthy Living, LLC, New Life Adult Medical Day Care, LLC, Aashiana, LLC, and/or Alif Manejwala to work at 7600 Clays Lane, Windsor Mill, MD 21244, at any time from February 12, 2022, to the present.
I. INTRODUCTION
You have received this Notice because records show that you work or worked for New Life Healthy Living, LLC; New Life Adult Medical Day Care, LLC; Aashiana, LLC; and/or Alif Manejwala (the “Defendants”) at 7600 Clays Lane, Windsor Mill, MD, 21244 sometime between February 12, 2022 and the present. A group of workers has filed a lawsuit against the Defendants claiming that they failed to pay them fully for regular and overtime wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). You may be eligible to join this lawsuit.
Please read this Notice carefully. If you wish to join this case and raise a claim for unpaid wages, you must “opt in” by filling out and returning the attached “Consent to Join” form by September 8, 2025.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE LAWSUIT
On April 17, 2024, Isabela Rivera Brito, Maria Brito Chavez, Petrona Cuplay Bernal, and Vicente Sanchez (together, “Plaintiffs”) filed this lawsuit against the Defendants. The name and case number of the lawsuit is Rivera Brito, et al. v. New Life Healthy Living, LLC, et al., No. 1:24-cv-01124-ABA. The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The Plaintiffs are represented by lawyers from the Public Justice Center and CASA.
Plaintiffs allege that the Defendants violated the law by failing to pay employees their full amount of wages and overtime compensation. As compensation, they seek their unpaid overtime wages, additional monetary damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, and compensation for the costs of filing the lawsuit. The Defendants deny the allegations.
The Court has not yet made any ruling on Plaintiffs’ claims or decided which party will win the lawsuit.
III. WHO CAN JOIN THE LAWSUIT
You may join the lawsuit if you are or were an hourly worker for New Life Healthy Living, LLC; New Life Adult Medical Day Care, LLC; Aashiana, LLC; or Alif Manejwala at 7600 Clays Lane, Windsor Mill, MD, 21244, any time since February 12, 2022.
IV. HOW TO JOIN
If you wish to join the lawsuit and have Plaintiffs’ Counsel represent you, it is important that you read, sign, and promptly return the enclosed “Consent to Join” form to:
Amy Gellatly
Public Justice Center
201 North Charles Street, Suite 1200
Baltimore, MD 21201
gellatlya@publicjustice.org
Fax: (410) 625-9423
The signed Consent to Join form must be emailed, faxed, or postmarked by September 8, 2025. You may contact Amy Gellatly at 410-400-6943 if you have any questions or concerns. You may also retain your own counsel.
If you think you are eligible to participate, please sign and return the form as soon as possible. You may lose your right to compensation and damages if you do not return the form promptly. If you do not return the Consent to Join form in time, you may not be able to participate in the lawsuit.
If you decide not to join this case, you may still have the right to sue one or more of the Defendants separately about the same legal claims in this lawsuit, provided that you do so within the applicable statute of limitations.
V. NO RETALIATION PERMITTED
Federal and state law prohibits Defendants from firing, disciplining, or in any manner retaliating against you for joining this lawsuit. If you believe that you have been penalized, discriminated against, or retaliated against in any way as a result of your receiving this Notice, considering whether to join this lawsuit, or actually joining this lawsuit, please contact Plaintiffs’ Counsel or other lawyers of your choosing right away.
VI. EFFECT OF JOINING THIS LAWSUIT
If you join this lawsuit by completing and returning the Consent to Join form, you will have to accept the outcome, even if it is against the employees. While the lawsuit is pending, you may be asked to provide documents or answer questions, orally or in writing, including potentially at a deposition or trial, with the help of the lawyers. You will not be asked to pay any legal costs or fees. If the Plaintiffs win, the Defendants will pay the Plaintiffs’ legal fees, or the fees will be paid out of any recovery.
By joining this lawsuit, you agree that the original Plaintiffs can make decisions about the lawsuit for you. These decisions and agreements made by the Plaintiffs—Isabela Rivera Brito, Maria Brito Chavez, Petrona Cuplay Bernal, and Vicente Sanchez—will be binding on you too, if you join.
Your immigration status is not relevant to this lawsuit or to your right to recover wages owed to you. Joining this lawsuit will not affect your immigration status.
VII. NO LEGAL EFFECT IN NOT JOINING LAWSUIT
If you choose to not join this lawsuit, you do not need to do anything. If you do not join, you will not be affected by the outcome of the lawsuit. However, if you think you have a claim, you should ask an attorney. Under federal law, claims may expire after 2 years from the date of the violation.
DATED: April 21, 2025
The Honorable Chelsea J. Crawford
U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Ejaz Baluch is an attorney with the Public Justice Center’s Workplace Justice Project, which promotes justice and equity in the workplace through litigation to combat wage theft and other workplace violations, know-your-rights education for low-wage workers, and policy advocacy to expand their rights.
Before joining the Public Justice Center in 2025, Ejaz was a trial attorney in the Employment Litigation Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. He primarily represented the United States in federal district court in cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. His cases typically included allegations of employment discrimination based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity by state and local government employers, including police departments, fire departments, and school districts. Ejaz also served on the Division’s Stop AAPI Hate Working Group and LGBTQ Working Group, and he co-chaired the Employment Litigation Section’s Amicus & SOI Working Group. He joined the Department through the Attorney General’s Honors Program.
While at the Department of Justice, Ejaz completed a detail with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders as an Advisor in 2024. He worked with federal government agencies to address incidents of Anti-Asian hate and discrimination and promote greater data disaggregation for AA and NHPI subgroups.
Prior to joining the Department, Ejaz was the 2018–2019 Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellow at the Public Justice Center. He has also clerked for Chief Judge George L. Russell, III of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Ejaz earned a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, an M.S. from the Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park. Before becoming an attorney, he taught middle school social studies with Baltimore City Public Schools.
(410) 625-9409
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Carolyn Johnson is an attorney in the Human Right to Housing Project. Prior to joining the PJC, Carolyn was the Legal Director at the Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) for eighteen years where she oversaw HPRP’s direct legal services, advocacy, and impact litigation. HPRP’s practice areas included subsidized housing, public benefits, criminal record expungement, and civil rights. Carolyn participated in numerous advocacy and impact litigation efforts including as co-counsel in a Fair Housing complaint against Baltimore County over its policies and practices that perpetuated racial segregation and discriminated against persons with disabilities, and co-counsel in a case against the state for failing to timely process applications for SNAP, Medicaid, and Temporary Cash Assistance resulting in a permanent injunction.
Previously, Carolyn was an attorney at the PJC and HPRP, where she handled direct service cases, impact litigation, and advocacy in housing, public benefits, criminal record expungement, and family law.
Carolyn earned her J.D. from the University of Baltimore and B.A from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
(410) 625-9409 x280
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Nicole Tortoriello is the lead attorney for the Workplace Justice Project, which works to fight wage theft, empower workers, and promote justice and equity in the workplace. Prior to joining the PJC, Nicole served as Labor Oversight Counsel to the Senate HELP Committee under Senator Bernie Sanders from 2023-2025. She served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Workers’ Rights and Antifraud Section of the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia from 2021-2023, where she focused on worker’s rights enforcement, including wage theft, worker misclassification, and the District’s universal paid leave program.
Previously, she was the Secular Society Women’s Rights Advocacy Counsel at the ACLU of Virginia from 2018-2021, where she was responsible for the organization’s full portfolio of gender justice issues in both litigation and advocacy, including anti-discrimination protections, criminal legal reform, and reproductive rights. Nicole has also clerked for the Honorable Catherine C. Blake of the U.S. District Court for Maryland, practiced at Arnold & Porter LLC in Washington, DC, and worked to close achievement gaps for low-income students and students of color at The Education Trust. Nicole earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her B.A. from Georgetown University.
Phone: (410) 625-9409 x279
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Michelle Madaio (she/her) is an attorney with the Public Justice Center’s Health and Benefits Equity Project, which engages in advocacy, direct representation, and community education to protect and expand access to healthcare and safety net programs. Michelle values the wisdom and expertise of people who have experienced food and financial insecurity and enjoys collaborating to achieve economic justice on an individual and systemic level.
Prior to joining PJC in 2025, Michelle was Director of Economic Justice at the Homeless Persons Representation Project, where she represented hundreds of individuals and families in appeals to access Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid. Partnering with families directly impacted by public benefits and housing insecurity, Michelle advocated for policy reforms to make Maryland’s public benefit programs easier to access, more equitable, and to end a few of the racist, oppressive, and punitive policies at the root of safety net programs.
Michelle began her legal career teaching as a Clinical Law Fellow with the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in the International and Comparative Law Clinic in Namibia, followed by the Health Care Delivery Clinic in Baltimore. Michelle received a J.D. from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in 2011 and a B.A. from American University in 2005. Before attending law school, Michelle lived in Madrid, Spain, where she received a Fulbright grant to research Spain’s experience reintroducing jury trials in 1995.
Michelle enjoys being a mom, swimming, drinking matcha, and speaking Spanish.
Phone: (410) 625-9409, ext. 245
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