Managing Senior Staff Attorney or Managing Senior Counsel - Litigation Supervisor (Location: DC or NYC Hybrid)

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

The Public Policy Litigation & Law Department (PPL&L) represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in policy matters that affect the mission of the organization. PPL&L seeks applicants for the position of a Managing Senior Staff Attorney (“MSSA”) or Managing Senior Counsel (“MSC”), with title be based on years of legal experience (if the successful candidate has 12-14 years of legal experience they will be a MSSA; if they have 15+ they will be a MSC). This role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least 2 days per week in-office (NYC or DC). This position reports to the PPL&L Vice President.

Purpose:

The position’s primary responsibilities will revolve around conducting and supervising significant and high visibility litigation on behalf of PPFA or Planned Parenthood affiliates, and providing legal advice to PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates about legal issues such as pending legislation, regulatory matters, and activities of those opposed to Planned Parenthood that interfere with our ability to provide comprehensive reproductive health care.

The MSSA or MSC will also serve as the manager of several attorneys within the department and represent the interests of their direct reports to the management team of PPL&L.

Engagement:

The MSSA or MSC will work closely with other members of the PPL&L team as well as affiliate leadership and staff, other PPFA colleagues, coalition partners, and outside counsel.

Delivery:

• The MSSA or MSC will conduct and supervise litigation in state and federal courts across the country, as well as act as a resource and advisor for colleagues in developing their cases, making strategic decisions, and preparing for oral argument, evidentiary hearings, depositions, etc.
• The MSSA or MSC may also be engaged in work related to pending legislation and regulatory matters; advising clients in navigating a rapidly shifting post-Roe environment, including working closely with operational and clinical personnel at both PPFA and affiliates; and coordinating with internal and external partners on litigation and related strategies, among other responsibilities.
• As part of their managerial responsibilities, the MSSA or MSC will conduct regular check-ins with their direct reports, provide professional development support, prepare for and conduct quarterly and annual reviews, and engage in regular oversight of their direct reports.
• As a manager, the MSSA or MSC will represent the interests of their direct reports and collaborate with the other people managers to advance those interests as well as those of the team as a whole
• In addition to their direct reports, support the career development of the team, including other attorneys, interns, and paralegals.
• The MSSA or MSC will contribute to PPL&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Law degree is required.
• Twelve or more years of legal practice is required.
• Impact litigation experience is not required but is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and to diversity, equity, and inclusion across differences in race, ethnicity, religion, ability, cultural background, socio economic circumstance, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation

Many different litigation career paths can develop skills that are valuable for this role; candidates are not expected to have experience in all aspects of the position. Experience in reproductive rights is not a requirement. Relevant skills and experience include:

• Substantial litigation experience at all stages of civil litigation, including trial court and appellate drafting and argument; working with fact and expert witnesses including in preparation for deposition and trial testimony; and managing or supervising discovery, including written discovery document production and depositions
• Experience supervising litigation, working with outside litigation counsel, and/or heading litigation teams
• Experience working in a coalition and/or with co-counsel for multiple organizational clients
• Reproductive justice work
• Criminal defense and/or prosecutorial experience
• Advising clients on compliance and risk mitigation issues
• Communications work in connection with litigation or public policy issues
• Work on amicus briefs or strategy
• Managing, mentoring or supervising more junior attorneys or other colleagues

Travel: 0-10% domestic travel

Roles that are denoted as NYC, DC, or both will work a hybrid schedule and are expected to work in their assigned PPFA office a minimum 2 days per week unless the role is denoted as onsite, which requires working onsite full time or 5 days per week.