Litigation Counsel, Education & Workplace Justice

National Women's Law Center•Washington, DC

6d•$96,411 - $105,967•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) is seeking a two-year, term-limited Litigation Counsel for the Education & Workplace Justice team. This role is designed to proactively promote gender justice in schools and workplaces and defend against threats to workers’ and students’ civil rights and legal protections. NWLC aims to achieve change through litigation, including by bringing its own cases, filing amicus briefs, collaborating with partners, building the capacity of the private bar through the Legal Network for Gender Equity and TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, and funding litigation challenging workplace sex harassment and retaliation. The Litigation Counsel will contribute to the team’s litigation strategy by developing and drafting amicus briefs, engaging in direct representation, and coordinating with external partners. The role will also involve assisting litigators across NWLC on cross-cutting litigation matters and coordinating NWLC-wide litigation efforts. A significant portion of the role will support the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund and the Legal Network for Gender Equity, with approximately half the time dedicated to NWLC’s litigation and amicus efforts and the other half supporting these two projects. This is a full-time, term-limited exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

A law degree (J.D.);
Membership in the D.C. Bar or ability to waive into the D.C. Bar;
Some knowledge of federal anti-discrimination laws;
Demonstrated ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively;
Ability to provide quick and accurate legal research;
Attention to detail and excellent time management and organizational skills;
Ability to collaborate with colleagues, coalition partners, and outside law firm partners;
Willingness and ability to travel;
Demonstrated commitment to gender and racial equity;
Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment;
An orientation to the work that is collegial and values the contributions of all members;
A genuine passion for NWLC’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a judicial clerk, litigation-focused intern or extern, and/or in a litigation clinic;
Familiarity with Title VII and Title IX;
Experience working directly with survivors of sexual harassment and/or other gender-based violence;
Experience working in organizational coalitions.

Responsibilities

Assist in litigation efforts, including direct representation of clients and amicus work, focused on Education and Workplace Justice team priorities;
Assist in cross-cutting litigation matters and help coordinate NWLC-wide litigation efforts;
Conduct legal research, draft legal memoranda, interview potential clients and witnesses, and draft and/or edit pleadings, briefs, and declarations;
Draft, edit, and review amicus briefs, including in collaboration with other NWLC teams, pro bono counsel, and organizational partners;
Draft and coordinate outreach communications to partner organizations regarding amicus briefs;
Monitor trends in the courts related to team priorities;
Assist with the review of applications to the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund for funding to support legal representation in workplace sexual harassment matters by reviewing application materials, gathering necessary supplementary information, researching relevant legal issues, presenting grantmaking recommendations, and participating in grant decision-making;
Assist with the review of and response to requests for legal help to address sex discrimination in the workplace, education or health care received by the Legal Network for Gender Equity;
Help identify key opportunities for NWLC’s engagement in litigation related to education and workplace justice priority areas, including matters identified through the Legal Network for Gender Equity and TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund;
Participate in legal review of requests from partner organizations, attorneys, and potential clients for legal involvement by NWLC;
Draft litigation highlights/fact sheets, blogs, memos to the board, and other litigation update documents for internal and external use;
Help identify topics for and implement educational webinars and other educational opportunities for attorneys in the Legal Network for Gender Equity;
Coordinate with the Campaigns and Communications team on telling NWLC’s litigation story as well as the impact of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund and the Legal Network for Gender Equity;
Represent NWLC, TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, and the Legal Network for Gender Equity at events, conferences, and coalition meetings as needed.