Counsel (Early Career)

Protect Democracy•Dc, WA

23h•Remote

About The Position

Protect Democracy seeks highly motivated early-career lawyers to join our team as counsel. Our organization is focused on protecting the integrity of the electoral process, including protecting electoral infrastructure and processes from interference in the 2026 elections and again in 2028. This is a unique opportunity for an attorney looking to develop and sharpen their litigation and advocacy skills in a moment where our democracy is facing unprecedented, exigent legal threats. As counsel, you will develop and contribute to legal strategies that advance our mission of preventing our democracy from declining toward a more authoritarian form of government. From idea generation through all stages of planning and execution, counsel work on creative impact litigation and other projects that integrate legal, policy, and communications strategies. Counsel also have opportunities to draw on our expert and advisory networks for guidance and support and to supervise and mentor law students. The ideal candidate brings one to five years of experience as an attorney (which may include judicial clerkships, fellowships, etc.) along with exceptional legal, analytical, and communications skills applicable to a range of advocacy strategies, including impact litigation, policy and legislative advocacy, coalition building, and strategic communications. Ideal candidates for counsel bring entrepreneurial legal instincts and an ability to generate impactful ideas; demonstrated interest in reasoning through novel or complex problems and developing judgment on identifying workable solutions; and the potential for developing strong external relationship skills. Candidates must be committed to our mission and cross-ideological strategy for defending our democracy.

Requirements

One to five years of legal experience (including clerkships)
Enthusiasm for and commitment to Protect Democracy’s cross-ideological, nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy
Exceptional analytical skills and writing and presentation skills directed at both lawyer and nonlawyer audiences
Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities
Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways
Nimbleness and an ability to perform well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color

Nice To Haves

Experience in election law or voting rights law
Experience in impact litigation or supporting policy advocacy

Responsibilities

Research, draft, and edit pleadings, motions, and other briefs filed in impact litigation related to our mission
Participate in discovery, including informal fact-finding and evidence gathering, document review, witness interviews, written discovery practice, depositions, and expert discovery
Engage with clients, outside counsel, co-counsel, opposition counsel, and non-litigation external stakeholders (e.g. policymakers, agency staff)
Research and help devise innovative legal arguments and potential litigation approaches, and help build our expertise as thought leaders on legal issues within the scope of our mission
Help develop ideas for litigation, policy reform, and other integrated advocacy projects consistent with our mission
Help with case management, including legal filings, organizing meetings, and maintaining case materials
Work with the communications team to draft editorials and opinion pieces and develop communication strategies to build support for legal and advocacy strategies
Work with policy advocates to develop and advance legislative and other advocacy proposals
Represent our organization in — and advance our mission through — key coalitions