Campaign Counsel

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

Campaign Counsel

Join us at Government Accountability Project, which for nearly 50 years has served as a lifeline to employees of conscience and has helped them release critical information that serves the public interest and the common good. As the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization, we litigate whistleblower cases, help expose wrongdoing to the public, and actively promote government and corporate accountability on every issue of public concern, including immigration detention abuses, environmental and food safety dangers, financial fraud, science censorship, politicization of federal agencies, and threats to democracy.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a strategic, mission-driven attorney to join Government Accountability Project’s Advocacy Team as Campaign Counsel. This role blends federal employment law, whistleblower counseling, and strategic advocacy on compelling public interest cases. The ideal candidate possesses excellent writing and advocacy skills with a minimum of three years of expertise in federal employment law. This position will serve under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Advocacy & Strategy to evaluate the legal rights, risks, and options of whistleblower clients and to serve as counsel of record in executing Government Accountability Project’s campaign methodology of helping employees report illegality and wrongdoing safely while making a difference with their information.

This role involves drafting compelling whistleblower disclosures to entities such as the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, agency Offices of Inspector General, and Congress, and representing clients in administrative fora seeking remedies for unlawful retaliation under federal whistleblower protection laws.

The Campaign Counsel will primarily support the Democracy Protection Initiative and Immigration issue areas with a caseload that reflects organizational priorities and emerging threats identified through whistleblowers’ disclosures.

This position is full-time. While Government Accountability Project’s office is located in Washington, DC, this position is primarily remote, with presence in DC needed occasionally. The Campaign Counsel will work closely with members of the Advocacy Team as well as cross-collaboratively with colleagues within Government Accountability Project and external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary client liaison and lead counsel for whistleblowers, conducting intake, advising diverse clients, assessing client risks and goals, and managing ongoing communications in a trauma-informed manner.
• Analyze claims and develop legal strategies in collaboration with the advocacy and litigation teams to represent federal employee-, contractor-, and private-sector-whistleblowers before administrative bodies including the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Department of Labor, and/or various Offices of Inspector General.
• Lead investigations and the drafting and filing of disclosures and retaliation complaints, and represent clients in administrative review, settlement negotiations, and hearings challenging retaliatory actions.
• Help devise, coordinate and execute multi-prong advocacy strategies for whistleblower client and issue campaigns in collaboration with relevant directors and staff, leveraging the tools of GAP’s methodology: litigation, congressional & agency outreach, public education, stakeholder partnerships, the press, and legislative reform.
• Ensure accurate administration of case files by keeping accurate time records and organized client files.
• Keep current with developments in the fields of whistleblowing and subject matter issue areas aligned with organizational priorities and immediate or emerging threats.
• Work collaboratively with all staff across the organization to serve and reinforce Government Accountability Project’s mission and methodology.

Qualifications and Characteristics:

• Passion for the mission of the Government Accountability Project and supporting whistleblowers.
• J.D. required, ideally with at least three years of experience in federal employment law practice. Applicants with comparable experience in administrative or employment law encouraged to apply.
• Active member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• Exceptional written communication abilities and strategic thinking skills, with proven attention to detail and producing high-quality professional work products involving research, evidence citation and analysis.
• Comfortable with advising and instructing clients of diverse backgrounds, ages, races, genders, political beliefs, and professional capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience working on advocacy campaigns or comparable leadership experience.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, work both autonomously and in teams, and meet tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of and experience in the immigration, good government and/or democracy spaces is a plus.
• A self-motivated, enthusiastic team player with excellent interpersonal skills.

Salary:

• $85,000-$100,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits:

Government Accountability Project offers a generous benefits package, including fully employer-paid health insurance for employee and family, $100k life insurance, and a 5% retirement account match after six months of employment.

Application Process:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by September 14, 2026.

Our hiring process in general includes the following steps:

• Your application, which will include a cover letter and resume. Please submit these materials via email (include in the subject line “Campaign Counsel”) to: Katie Goff-Eldredge at KatherineG@whistleblower.org.
• Three interviews, conducted virtually.
• A writing test, submission of writing samples, and references.

Government Accountability Project is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Government Accountability Project encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, or marital, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Government Accountability Project offers a generous benefits package, including fully employer-paid

health insurance for employee and family, $100k life insurance, and a 5% retirement account match after

six months of employment.