Counsel

This is a unique opportunity for mid-career attorneys looking to sharpen and broaden their litigation/advocacy skills in a moment where our democracy is facing unprecedented, exigent legal threats. Note: We are currently hiring for two separate counsel profiles. This role is for mid-career candidates with 5-10 years of professional legal experience. Please apply only to the position that best reflects your years and depth of experience. Protect Democracy seeks a highly motivated lawyer with significant legal experience to join our team as counsel. Our organization is focused on protecting the integrity of the electoral process, including protecting electoral infrastructure and processes from interference in the 2026 elections and again in 2028. Protecting free and fair elections has taken on historic urgency. In this role, you will develop and drive legal strategies that advance our mission of preventing our democracy from declining toward a more authoritarian form of government. From idea generation through all stages of planning and execution, counsel work on creative impact litigation and other projects that integrate legal, policy, and communications strategies. Counsel also have opportunities to draw on our expert and advisory networks for guidance and support and to supervise and mentor law students. The ideal candidate brings five to ten years of experience as an attorney (which may include judicial clerkships) along with exceptional legal, analytical, and communications skills applicable to a range of advocacy strategies, including impact litigation, policy and legislative advocacy, coalition building, and strategic communications; entrepreneurial legal instincts and an ability to generate impactful ideas; demonstrated interest in reasoning through novel or complex problems and developing judgment on identifying workable solutions; and the potential for developing strong external relationship skills. We anticipate that the incoming counsel will be initially assigned significant responsibilities in impact litigation to counter federal interference in the midterm elections, and other forms of election subversion, though assignments may shift over time as the mission demands. Candidates must be committed to our mission and passionate about democratic norms. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum. A commitment to our mission and cross-ideological strategy for defending our democracy is essential. As counsel, you will: Research and devise innovative legal arguments and potential litigation approaches, managing case or project teams as needed. Recruit and retain clients and plaintiffs, engage with outside counsel, co-counsel, and opposition counsel, and represent Protect Democracy in non-litigation external settings such as coalitions. Help build our expertise as thought leaders on legal issues within the scope of our mission. Participate in and manage discovery processes, including informal fact-finding and evidence gathering, document review, witness interviews, written discovery practice, depositions, and expert discovery. Develop, influence, and drive complex strategies for litigation, policy reform, and other integrated advocacy projects consistent with our mission. Research, draft, and edit pleadings, motions, and other briefs filed in impact litigation. Work with the communications team to deliver comms-based strategies to build support for legal theories of change (including legal memos, primers, editorials, and op-eds). In coordination with policy advocates, contribute to creative policy solutions and campaigns, working with legislators, agencies, experts, and coalitions to advance them. Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization. Job requirements Five to ten years of legal experience (including clerkships). Experience in election law or voting rights law and/or experience in impact litigation or supporting policy advocacy. Enthusiasm for and commitment to Protect Democracy’s cross-ideological, nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy. Exceptional analytical skills and writing and presentation skills directed at both lawyer and nonlawyer audiences. Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities. Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways. Nimbleness and an ability to perform well in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment. A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color. Compensation The starting salary range for this role is $138,000 - $157,000, commensurate with the candidate’s degree of experience, capabilities and skills, and in alignment with internal equity. Benefits Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy encouraging an average of 4‑5 weeks off each year, 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks of paid family and medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan including dental and vision insurance, long‑term disability and life insurance, and a home office stipend. About Protect Democracy Protect Democracy is a remote‑first organization based exclusively in the United States, with staff working primarily virtually. We require staff to travel at least twice per year for team retreats and may involve additional travel to meet with partners, vendors, or for planning meetings. Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances. Equal Employment Opportunity Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr