Litigation Attorney or Senior Litigation Attorney

Giffords • Washington, DC

63d • $105,240 - $132,220 • Hybrid

About The Position

For more than 30 years, the attorneys at GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence have been fighting for a safer America. As the legal arm of the gun safety organization GIFFORDS, led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, GIFFORDS Law Center researches, drafts, and defends the laws, policies, and programs proven to save lives from gun violence. GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans and people of all genders, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. We are seeking an attorney to join our impact litigation team. The Litigation Attorney will serve as a member of the Litigation team, developing and advancing litigation seeking to combat gun violence and hold irresponsible actors in the gun industry accountable. The Litigation Attorney will collaborate with outside clients/partners as well as outside counsel and pro bono attorneys. The position requires ability and interest in staffing occasional evening or weekend events, with up to 10-15% travel expected. This is a full-time position, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement if based in Washington, DC, with full remote available if based outside that metro area. All GIFFORDS employees are expected to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus with limited exemptions as required by federal and state law. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled; we encourage applicants to apply by the priority deadline of November 11. Due to the high volume of applicants, no phone calls or emails, please.

Requirements

• To join as a Litigation Attorney for this role, we require a J.D. degree and at least two years of legal practice
• To join as a Senior Litigation Attorney for this role, we require a J.D. degree, at least five years of legal practice, and at least one year of direct experience in gun violence prevention.
• Admission to and good standing in at least one state bar
• Strong knowledge and understanding of litigation process and case proceedings
• Proven track record in managing cases, including but not limited to drafting, reviewing, and editing pleadings, motions, and briefs, and representing individual, organizational, or government clients in litigation
• Experience conducting legal research and analysis and translating insights into new theories and case strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present legal subject matter to a non-legal audience
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, allied organizations, and public officials, and ability to collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders, building relationships and acting as an empathetic and respectful thought partner
• Possession of an inclusive work style, value of diverse perspectives, and desire to learn and grow by acknowledging any limitations and areas of growth
• Comfort with problem solving, navigating ambiguity, and approaching challenges with patience and a sense of humor
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with a high attention to detail
• Ability to juggle several concurrent projects across multiple stakeholders, establishing clear lines of communication and keeping work on track and on time
• Deep conviction to serve GIFFORDS’ mission of tackling America’s gun violence crisis
• Shares Giffords’ commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism (IDEA)

Nice To Haves

• Subject matter expertise in the Second Amendment, experience with other constitutional law, administrative law, or other firearms policy and regulation
• Plaintiff’s side litigation experience

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing new litigation theories and case strategies by:
• Conducting legal research and analysis to develop theories supporting litigation or advocacy projects that will reduce gun violence, hold the gun industry accountable, pursue justice for survivors, and advance equity for communities most affected by gun violence.
• Conducting factual research and identifying litigation opportunities and parties to litigation in collaboration with other GIFFORDS Law Center employees, outside counsel, and experts.
• Monitoring and identifying key cases that warrant direct assistance from the Giffords litigation team, including cases in which to file amicus curiae briefs, provide technical assistance, or advocate for a policy response.
• Contribute to ongoing, active litigation by:
• Representing individual, organizational, and government clients in civil litigation, including drafting, reviewing, and editing pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery and participating in arguments and hearings, as appropriate.
• Managing relationships with clients, outside counsel, pro bono law firms, partner organizations, experts, and supporters.
• Coordinating internal and external communications in relation to active litigation cases.
• Develop expertise in gun-safety litigation, including litigation involving the gun industry, and foster other team members’ subject matter expertise.
• Advise other GIFFORDS teams on litigation developments and provide legal and technical expertise about gun safety litigation to attorneys and the public.
• Support GIFFORDS’ internal inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism (IDEA) work.
• Support the organization’s efforts by responding to media requests, through public presentations, by participating in external events, and by presenting on the organization’s litigation efforts to supporters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• For all full-time employees, competitive benefits include employer funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually plus paid week closure at the end of the year; and ten paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree