Program Counsel

FIRE • Philadelphia, PA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

FIRE seeks a full-time Program Counsel to join our expanding Public Advocacy team, which engages in non-litigation advocacy on off-campus free speech issues.
At FIRE, we believe that free speech makes free people. The right of the individual to speak their mind is fundamental for a free society. So we're on a mission to promote and defend free speech — and we need a talented attorney who will be a zealous and persuasive advocate for First Amendment rights and free speech as a cultural value.
The Program Counsel for Public Advocacy will assist with all aspects of the department’s work and will report directly to FIRE’s Director of Public Advocacy.
The duties for this position include, but are not limited to:
Investigatory work
Assist with investigating off-campus free expression matters or issues of interest to the organization not subject to (or ripe for) litigation, including collection of documentation, review of relevant materials, communication with case submitters, and legal research.
Review and manage individual case submissions and provide input on potential future action at standing Public Advocacy meetings and over email.
Editorial work
Author and review letters to advocate for expressive rights and/or support of free speech culture.
Contribute to FIRE’s public awareness efforts, including writing and reviewing content for FIRE’s website and Substack, helping create social media content, appearing in and drafting scripts for FIRE videos, writing and reviewing op-eds for outside publications, and related tasks.
Serve as a primary press contact on non-litigation off-campus free speech matters and conduct interviews for television, radio, and print media as needed.
Author, review, and conduct research for internal memorandums and talking points on off-campus free speech issues.
Other program duties
Develop departmental goals related to Litigation cases and attend Litigation case launch meetings on behalf of Public Advocacy.
Assist in outreach efforts to individuals and organizations to help build free speech-based coalitions and draw more individual supporters to FIRE’s work.
Attend conferences on behalf of FIRE.
Stay current on national and local news regarding issues relevant to FIRE and Public Advocacy’s mission.
Read court decisions, reports, scholarly publications, books, and other relevant materials to stay current on free expression issues and trends.
This position will also perform other support functions for the day-to-day operation of FIRE and will frequently collaborate with other staff members and departments on general duties and specialized projects.
This position involves a limited amount of travel. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected.
The expected start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of First Amendment law and free speech principles.
• Exceptional writing and copy editing skills.
• Excellent legal research skills.
• Strong factual investigation skills.
• Interpersonal communication skills (phone and email courtesy, ability to properly manage sensitive information/maintain the confidence of case submitters).
• Keen attention to detail.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong work ethic and an ability to work productively with people of differing views.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Candidates must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school and be a member of the bar of the jurisdiction in which they are based.

Responsibilities

• Assist with investigating off-campus free expression matters or issues of interest to the organization not subject to (or ripe for) litigation, including collection of documentation, review of relevant materials, communication with case submitters, and legal research.
• Review and manage individual case submissions and provide input on potential future action at standing Public Advocacy meetings and over email.
• Author and review letters to advocate for expressive rights and/or support of free speech culture.
• Contribute to FIRE’s public awareness efforts, including writing and reviewing content for FIRE’s website and Substack, helping create social media content, appearing in and drafting scripts for FIRE videos, writing and reviewing op-eds for outside publications, and related tasks.
• Serve as a primary press contact on non-litigation off-campus free speech matters and conduct interviews for television, radio, and print media as needed.
• Author, review, and conduct research for internal memorandums and talking points on off-campus free speech issues.
• Develop departmental goals related to Litigation cases and attend Litigation case launch meetings on behalf of Public Advocacy.
• Assist in outreach efforts to individuals and organizations to help build free speech-based coalitions and draw more individual supporters to FIRE’s work.
• Attend conferences on behalf of FIRE.
• Stay current on national and local news regarding issues relevant to FIRE and Public Advocacy’s mission.
• Read court decisions, reports, scholarly publications, books, and other relevant materials to stay current on free expression issues and trends.
• Perform other support functions for the day-to-day operation of FIRE and will frequently collaborate with other staff members and departments on general duties and specialized projects.

Benefits

• FIRE offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance for employees
• a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account option
• matching retirement contributions
• a generous paid time-off plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees