Overview
The Senior Attorney is a key member of the Litigation team, reporting to the Director of Legal & Research. This role supports the mission to empower voters and defend democracy by partnering with staff attorneys to assess and approve litigation requests from state and local Leagues and to develop and implement a nationwide litigation strategy.
The Senior Attorney will provide direct support to state and local Leagues on litigation and legal matters related to core and urgent issues such as voting rights, redistricting and census, election improvements, money in politics, immigration, health care, climate change, and criminal justice reform. The role involves evaluating proposed litigation, guiding strategic decision-making, and overseeing execution of approved litigation efforts. It also includes representing the organization in coalition spaces and public forums and may involve supervising staff attorneys, fellows, and interns.
This is a full-time position funded through June 30, 2026, with renewal contingent on funding, performance, and organizational needs. Remote candidates are welcome. Periodic travel to Washington, DC, and other locations is required.
Responsibilities
Litigation & Legal Strategy
- Manage and coordinate a multi-state docket of federal and state litigation where the organization is a plaintiff, intervenor, or amicus.
- Collaborate with legal partners, allied organizations, and pro bono law firms on prospective and active litigation.
- Partner with the Director of Legal & Research to develop and implement litigation strategy.
- Advise and support prospective and ongoing court litigation for state and local Leagues, including evaluating requests and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
- Oversee the Litigation team in tracking, updating, and reporting ongoing litigation.
- Advance policy positions and strategies through coordination with allied organizations and partners.
Training, Guidance & Member Support
- Develop and deliver litigation training, guidance, and resources to state and local Leagues on voting rights and civil rights issues.
- Identify training opportunities for League staff regarding the litigation portfolio in partnership with leadership.
Collaboration & Cross-Team Work
- Support implementation of political strategies and policy positions, primarily on election reform and voting rights, in collaboration with the Advocacy team.
- Work closely with Advocacy, Communications, and other departments to ensure legal accuracy and message alignment.
- Partner with other departments to develop accessible public materials such as litigation press releases, reports, fact sheets, action alerts, talking points, issue briefs, and op-eds.
Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise staff attorneys, fellows, and legal interns as assigned, including work review and ongoing development.
- Support a collaborative, mission-aligned culture grounded in values of inclusion and belonging.
Other Duties
- Serve as an internal resource on ethics and professional responsibility.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Education, Experience, and Licensing
- Licensed attorney in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Licensed in the District of Columbia or eligible and willing to waive into the DC Bar within 6 months.
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school with a strong academic record.
- Minimum of five years as an attorney, including at least three years of litigation experience in a law firm, nonprofit, or government setting.
- Experience managing others is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Core Legal Qualifications
- Demonstrated excellence in legal research, writing, analysis, and management of complex legal matters.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and a customer service-oriented attitude.
Issue Area & Litigation Expertise
- Experience with voting rights, election, or constitutional litigation is a plus.
- Experience with civil rights or voting rights policy, legislation, or campaign work is a plus.
- Ability to translate legal concepts into accessible language for non-lawyers.
- Experience developing educational and training materials, including webinars and legal recommendations.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to track high volumes of information at local, state, and federal levels.
- Experience with strategic planning in litigation, preferably on civil rights or voting rights issues.
- Ability to produce consistent, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Minimum of two years supervisory experience managing legal staff, preferably attorneys.
- Proven positive impact on direct reports and teams, including motivation and effective work review.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams.
- Experience collaborating with volunteers or member-led organizations preferred.
Mission Alignment & DEI Competence
- Ability to work with and center historically disenfranchised communities.
- Understanding of structural racism and systemic inequities related to civic participation and voting rights.
- Commitment to working with diverse communities and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Strong personal alignment with the mission, values, and nonpartisan principles.
Professional Standards
- Understanding and consistent compliance with rules of professional conduct and ethics.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.
- Willingness to travel and work evenings or weekends as needed.
Work Environment
Work is typically performed indoors in a moderate-to-low-noise environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Duties and responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs.
Compensation & Benefits
Details regarding compensation and benefits are not specified in the job description.
Location
Remote candidates are welcome. Periodic travel to Washington, DC, and potentially other locations is required.