Senior Policy Counsel, Free Expression Project

Center for Democracy & Technology • Washington, DC

10d • $92,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Policy Counsel on the Free Expression Project is an experienced or mid-level attorney who advances the Center for Democracy & Technology’s work to protect free expression in the digital age. The role calls for substantial independence and deep subject-matter expertise, covering people’s right to speak, access information, and organize online; free-expression values in AI policy; and human-rights-grounded trust and safety practices. Focus areas include deepfakes, online scraping, anonymity, preserving the open internet, and copyright.

The Senior Policy Counsel analyzes law and policy, shapes CDT’s positions, represents CDT with policymakers and other stakeholders, and leads projects from conception to completion. The role initially has no direct reports, though mentorship or supervisory responsibilities may arise as the team grows. The position reports to the Director of the Free Expression Project.

CDT is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advances civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. It champions policies, laws, and technical designs that empower people to use technology while guarding against invasive, discriminatory, and exploitative uses. CDT engages policymakers in the U.S. and European Union, advocates for company best practices, represents the public interest in multistakeholder processes and standards bodies, files amicus briefs, conducts original research, and raises public awareness. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and collaborates with CDT Europe in Brussels.

The position is based in CDT’s Washington, D.C. office, with a hybrid schedule of three days in the office per week, generally Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A different hybrid schedule may be considered in exceptional cases and is available as a disability accommodation. Exceptional candidates based outside Washington, D.C. may also be considered.

Requirements

• At least five years of experience in law or policy related to free expression, technology policy, or civil liberties.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and influence policy outcomes.
• Juris Doctorate (JD).
• Strong knowledge of U.S. First Amendment law and Section 230.
• Ability to understand relevant technologies, such as network management, content-recognition tools, generative systems, and identity or age-verification systems, and explain them accurately to nontechnical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and carry out advocacy strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience or strong potential as a public spokesperson.
• Ability to build and sustain collegial relationships with coworkers and diverse partners across government, industry, and civil society, and to work effectively in a multistakeholder setting.
• Comfort managing multiple priorities with limited supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Admission to a state bar.
• Familiarity with copyright law, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and law governing synthetic media or anonymous speech.
• Familiarity with international human rights law as it applies to the online and generative AI environment.
• Experience in a nonprofit, government, law firm, clinic, or academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze, and provide expert counsel on government and company activity affecting free expression; develop and recommend engagement strategies drawing on experts within and outside CDT.
• Lead work on assigned issue areas, including deepfakes and synthetic media; anonymity and pseudonymity online; preserving the open internet; and supporting researchers’ access to data needed to inform policy.
• Provide authoritative legal and policy analysis on complex issues, including U.S. First Amendment law, Section 230, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and related free-expression questions.
• Translate intricate legal and technical concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society partners.
• Develop and manage advocacy projects from conception to completion, defining scope, setting timelines, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work products.
• Coordinate with colleagues across CDT, including staff in other policy projects and communications, to advance shared priorities.
• Represent and serve as a spokesperson for CDT in meetings with government officials, industry, and coalition partners.
• Publish reports, op-eds, memos, comments, and other written work in areas of expertise; speak with the press and at public events.
• Draft comments to regulators, testimony, and, as appropriate, amicus briefs and other legal filings on free-expression issues.
• Collaborate with the Project Director and team to set annual strategy for the Free Expression Project.
• Mentor junior staff, interns, and fellows as opportunities arise, and contribute to a collaborative team culture.

Benefits

• 100% covered health care, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement account, with CDT contributing 6% of salary following a year of employment.
• 13 company holidays and closure for the period between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Paid vacation: 15 days per year, increased with tenure.
• Sick days.
• Parental leave.

What This Job Offers

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