Staff Attorney - State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI)

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) at the University of Wisconsin Law School is seeking a Staff Attorney to join their growing team. This role involves advancing multi-faceted, nonpartisan efforts to foster research and dialogue on pressing questions of public law and democracy in states across the nation. The Initiative focuses on understanding and preserving democracy, particularly at the state level, which is often overlooked in favor of federal institutions. The Staff Attorney's portfolio can be tailored to their interests and experience, and the position is open to attorneys at varied career stages. Responsibilities will include legal research and writing on the Initiative’s projects, drafting amicus briefs for relevant cases, analyzing current events for diverse audiences, and conducting educational programming for the public and students. The position has a national focus and is not limited to candidates residing in Wisconsin. For Wisconsin-based candidates, an in-person arrangement with potential for hybrid work is envisioned. For candidates based elsewhere, fully remote work can be accommodated, requiring an approved remote work agreement, high-speed internet, and a phone for use with a university-provided computer. The ideal candidate will be an outstanding attorney with experience in appellate brief drafting and complex state-level legal analysis, an excellent writer for various audiences (briefs, white papers, academic essays, blog posts, op-eds), and a collaborative team player.

Requirements

Two or more years of post-law school legal experience
Familiarity with and interest in state law, state government institutions, and/or state constitutions, within a state or across states

Nice To Haves

Ability to conduct high-level legal research and/or manage complex legal research projects
Ability to write excellent appellate-level briefs
Ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences within and outside the legal profession
Ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders in a fair-minded way that encourages collaboration and inclusion and fosters the exchange of ideas

Responsibilities

Conducting cutting-edge legal research involving state-level democracy, state constitutions, and state institutions
Sharing research findings and legal analysis in multiple mediums, including through scholarly publications, writing for popular audiences, media briefings, and webinars or CLE presentations
Identifying democracy-related litigation of interest around the country, and contributing amicus curiae efforts to represent the views of scholars who have studied issues relevant to those cases
Supervising student research
Briefing or advising a variety of stakeholders on questions of state-level democracy and public law
Conceiving of and overseeing conferences and other gatherings to improve public understanding of topics related to our mission
Assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
Reviews and edits protocols to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and consistency
Develops and implements increasingly complex research methodologies, procedures, and criteria
Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, co-authors publications, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
Collects and analyzes increasingly complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures