Counsel: Voting Rights and Elections Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion.      
 
Position  
The Brennan Center’s seeks a talented attorney to join a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary team working collaboratively to ensure that all U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box. The attorney’s focus will be to combat voter suppression and advance pro-voter reforms at the state and federal levels. This is a term-limited position with an anticipated duration of two to three years. 
 
The country continues to confront a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. State legislatures and now the federal government seek to make it harder for Americans to vote.   We meet these challenges, and others, head on. Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel.  
 
The Brennan Center’s methods include legal and empirical research and writing, litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, media and communications, and public education. This is a position reporting to Senior Director on the Voting Rights and Elections Program. The Counsel role will require collaboration with colleagues across programs and departments to support shared goals. 
 

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City. Candidates located at our Washington, D.C. office will still be considered. It will require occasional travel. 

Responsibilities

• Participating in litigation in trial and appellate courts, including fact and legal research, motion and brief writing, and strategy development, with team members, allied organizations, and/or pro bono law firm counsel. 

• Assisting with the development and execution of amicus campaigns, including engaging with experts and scholars and coordinating with other organizations and pro bono partners.    

• Providing research support for reports and policy proposals, including research (legal, social science, and news-based), fact checking, legal cite checking, and proofreading.  

• Assisting with policy advocacy, including through work in coalitions, to change policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels.  

• Supporting the preparation of written work (including articles, opinion pieces, speeches, reports, legislative testimony, and organizational materials), with opportunities for named authorship.  

• Co-writing reports and policy proposals, with opportunities for named authorship.  

• Taking on special projects and other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications  
Required. The position requires a J.D. and admission to the bar of the office where the employee is based. If you are admitted to a bar for a state other than the office where you are located, you must be eligible to practice or apply for admission to that state’s bar within 6 months of hire.  This position is open to applicants who are recent law school graduates, judicial law clerks, and others with 1-5 years of post-law school experience.    

Ideal. The ideal candidate will have some combination of the following experiences and qualifications. We recognize that many excellent candidates may not have all these experiences and qualifications, and we will provide support for the successful candidate to acquire additional skills.  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Excellent legal research and analysis skills.  

• Strong ability and desire to write for legal, policy, and public audiences.  

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization.  

• A commitment to racial equity.  

• Comfort working with social science research and experts.  

• Experience working in government, in nonprofit or legal organizations, or on voting rights and democracy issues.  

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.    

If you're uncertain about meeting 100 percent of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.  

Application
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is found.

To apply, visit <<this link>>.  Please upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) two writing samples (up to 10 pages), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples.       

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Counsel, Voting Rights and Elections Program” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.    

Compensation and Benefits 
The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback.

This is a scaled position. The salary range assigned for the scale is $84,000-$127,000 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after the selected candidate graduated from law school. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.     
 

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.     
 

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.