Counsel, Voting Rights and Elections Program

Brennan Center for Justice•New York, NY

9h•$84,000 - $127,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is seeking an attorney to join its interdisciplinary Voting Rights and Elections Program. The Counsel will work to ensure that U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box, with a focus on combating voter suppression and advancing pro-voter reforms at the state and federal levels. The program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, particularly addressing systemic barriers to electoral participation by communities of color, in collaboration with community organizations, election administrators, and pro bono counsel. The role uses legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, communications, and public education. Counsel collaborates with colleagues across programs and departments and reports to the Senior Director of the Voting Rights and Elections Program. This is a term-limited position anticipated to last two to three years. It is based at the Brennan Center’s New York City headquarters; candidates based at its Washington, D.C. office will also be considered. Occasional travel is required. The position is open to recent law school graduates, judicial law clerks, and attorneys with one to five years of post-law-school experience. A J.D. and admission to the bar of the office where the employee is based are required. The salary scale is $84,000–$127,000, with placement determined by years of professional experience after law school graduation. The role is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

Requirements

J.D.
Admission to the bar of the office where the employee is based; applicants admitted to a bar for a different state must be eligible to practice or apply for admission to the relevant state bar within six months of hire.
Open to recent law school graduates, judicial law clerks, and others with one to five years of post-law-school experience.

Nice To Haves

Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent legal research and analysis skills.
Strong ability and desire to write for legal, policy, and public audiences.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including ability to work with diverse constituencies inside and outside the organization.
Commitment to racial equity.
Comfort working with social science research and experts.
Experience working in government, nonprofit or legal organizations, or on voting rights and democracy issues.

Responsibilities

Participate in litigation in trial and appellate courts, including fact and legal research, motion and brief writing, and strategy development with colleagues, allied organizations, and/or pro bono law firm counsel.
Assist with developing and executing amicus campaigns, including engaging experts and scholars and coordinating with other organizations and pro bono partners.
Provide research support for reports and policy proposals, including legal, social science, and news-based research, fact checking, legal cite checking, and proofreading.
Assist with policy advocacy, including coalition work to change policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels.
Support preparation of written work, including articles, opinion pieces, speeches, reports, legislative testimony, and organizational materials, with opportunities for named authorship.
Co-write reports and policy proposals, with opportunities for named authorship.
Take on special projects and other duties as assigned.