Counsel (First Amendment, Media, Telecommunications & Technology)

Protect Democracy seeks highly motivated lawyers to join our team as Counsel, focusing both on protecting free speech and the free press and on preventing abuses of technology and telecommunications infrastructure to undermine American democracy. The deadline to apply for this position is January 15, 2025.

In this role, you will develop and contribute to 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 at least 10 years of experience as an attorney, along with exceptional legal, analytical, and communications skills applicable to a range of advocacy strategies; entrepreneurial legal instincts and an ability to generate impactful ideas; and strong external relationship skills. They would also have expertise and advocacy experience in First Amendment law and law/policy relating to media, technology, and telecommunications.

Protect Democracy recognizes that there is strength in diversity, and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. Counsel can work from any location in the United States. If you meet most but not all of the criteria listed below but believe nonetheless you’d be a stellar match for the role and could grow into it, we want to hear from you.

As Counsel, you will:

• Research and devise innovative legal arguments and potential litigation approaches;
• Help build our expertise as thought leaders on legal issues within the scope of our mission (specifically legal issues relating to the First Amendment, media, and technology);
• 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;
• Participate in and manage discovery processes, including informal fact-finding and evidence gathering, document review, witness interviews, written discovery practice, depositions, and expert discovery;
• Work with the communications team to draft editorials and opinion pieces and develop communication strategies to build support for legal and advocacy strategies;
• Work alongside policy advocates to develop and advance legislative and other advocacy proposals;
• Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization.

Required:

• At least 10 years of legal experience (which can include judicial clerkships), with particular experience in First Amendment law and/or law and policy relating to media, technology, and telecommunications;
• Bar membership in good standing in the jurisdiction of your residence.

Preferred, but not required:

• Experience in impact litigation or representing plaintiffs in civil litigation;
• Experience supporting policy advocacy.

The ideal candidate also brings:

• A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color;
• An embrace of a cross-ideological and nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy;
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation skills directed at both legal and non-legal audiences;
• Ability to track, prioritize, and—where necessary—triage a diverse set of responsibilities to use time efficiently and productively;
• Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways;
• Collaborative orientation and a willingness to take on tasks big or small as needed to advance our mission;
• Enthusiasm for working with people with diverse backgrounds;
• Excellent, proactive project management skills and comfort managing up, down, and sideways accordingly;
• Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this role is $158,256 - $186,184, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

• Flexible location. You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats; this position may include additional litigation-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment.
• Commitment to a diverse workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer by choice. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. 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.
• Phenomenal benefits. Our benefits package includes unlimited sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4-5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses.
• Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.