Staff Attorney

Big Fish•Washington, DC

24d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is seeking a Staff Attorney to litigate strategic First Amendment cases. This role involves supporting and developing cases at all stages of litigation, as well as acting as an advocate outside the courtroom through media appearances, writing, and public speaking. The position is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C., and operates on a hybrid work schedule. The Staff Attorney will also supervise and mentor summer fellows and semester law clerks, and collaborate with other staff on various projects, including writing articles and legal analysis for FIRE's Newsdesk, working with outreach staff and the FIRE Student Network, and gaining input from the Policy Reform Program.

Requirements

Graduate of an ABA-accredited law school.
Member of the bar of at least one state.
Good work ethic.
Self-starter.
Ability to work independently.
Demonstrated knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and ability to articulate that passion.
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
Excellent legal research skills.
Excellent planning and organizational skills, including meticulous attention to detail.
Excellent time-management skills and ability to manage a full caseload and handle dynamic and challenging situations.
Ability to explain legal concepts to students and non-attorneys.
Demonstrated ability to work productively across disciplines and viewpoints.
Knowledge of discovery rules and methodology.
Knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure.
Knowledge of how to conduct a factual investigation into potential cases.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Identify matters for potential litigation.
Recruit and evaluate potential plaintiffs.
Draft memoranda and demand letters for pre-litigation matters.
Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and supporting documents.
Develop strategies for cases.
Draft discovery requests and responses.
Review documents received in response to discovery requests/FOIA requests.
Take and defend depositions.
Attend and participate in hearings, trials, and other proceedings.
Assist in drafting amicus curiae briefs.
Work with paralegals to identify and negotiate with legal vendors for litigation services (e.g., court reporters, discovery vendors), as needed.
Assist in devising strategies for securing First Amendment rights in new and unique contexts.
Assist in substantive and proofreading reviews of court filings.
Work with the Communications team to promote and ensure accurate coverage of FIRE’s cases.
Conduct outreach to allied organizations.
Regularly engage in writing for public audiences.
Engage in media appearances.
Present at conferences or other speaking engagements.
Edit blog posts for Newsdesk and other FIRE publications as needed.
Supervise and mentor summer fellows and semester law clerks.
Perform other support functions for the day-to-day operation of FIRE.
Frequently collaborate with other staff members and departments on general duties and specialized projects, including but not limited to writing articles and legal analysis for FIRE’s Newsdesk; working closely with our outreach staff and the FIRE Student Network when gathering plaintiffs; and gaining input from our Policy Reform Program during settlement.