Senior Counsel, Liberty and National Security 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 twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies. 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, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

Position Overview

The Brennan Center seeks a skilled attorney to join our Liberty and National Security Program (LNS). The LNS Program works to advance effective national security policies that respect the rule of law and constitutional values. Our current program priorities include ensuring that Congress and the courts serve their constitutional role as a check on executive power in the area of national security; bolstering First and Fourth Amendment protections in the digital age; ending racial, religious, and ethnic profiling in counterterrorism policies; enhancing transparency, oversight, and accountability for intelligence and law enforcement agencies; ensuring that national security artificial intelligence is deployed only when it is safe, effective, fair; and reforming emergency powers to strengthen safeguards against abuse.

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City. Candidates located in Washington, D.C. will still be considered. Periodic travel between Brennan Center offices and to other locations for conferences and meetings will be required.

Responsibilities

• Spearheading the LNS program’s work reconceiving the future of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent abuse of its broad authorities.
• Developing, drafting, and supervising legal and policy research and analyses.
• Producing written reports and other public educational materials that support policy advocacy, legislative reform, and communications initiatives.
• Writing and speaking for both legal and non-legal audiences, including speaking with news media, drafting opinion pieces and blog posts, participating in conferences, and other public appearances.
• Consulting with and advocating to lawmakers and other decision makers.
• Conceiving and planning public events and private convenings with experts from different fields.
• Participating in and organizing coalitions.
• Depending on the team’s needs, participating in litigation as amicus or counsel, including supervising research projects and reviewing work product, writing briefs, and developing strategy with team members, allied organizations, and/or pro bono law firm counsel
• Contributing relevant legal and technical expertise and strategic advice to support the program’s work.
• Mentoring and supervising junior and mid-level attorneys, legal interns, and program support staff, reviewing and providing feedback on work product.
• Contributing to productive and collegial work within the team and across departments, including participation in recruitment and hiring, administration, communications, and development

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. 

Ideal. The ideal candidate will have experience with federal law enforcement or immigration authorities (for example at the Departments of Homeland Security or Justice or experience serving as a staffer to an elected member of Congress or a committee covering issues of federal law enforcement, immigration, or homeland security), along with some combination of the following experiences and qualifications.

• A minimum of five to eight years’ relevant experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to drive projects and outcomes.
• Strong ability and interest in writing write for legal, policy, and public audiences.
• Outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Comfort with public speaking and ability to work with media.
• Proven ability to work in coalition with other organizations and with diverse constituencies.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and delegate effectively in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Strong initiative and ability to work independently, combined with a “team player” mentality.
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work diplomatically and effectively with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization.
• Resilience, a sense of humor, and a solutions-oriented outlook.
• A background in one or more of the following areas: civil liberties, homeland or national security, human rights law, or legislative advocacy (or other legislative experience).

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% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with interviews planned to begin in January 2026. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is found. To apply, please visit <<this link>> and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) writing sample (up to 10 pages), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples. Applications without all listed materials will not be considered.

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: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “LNS Senior Counsel” in the subject line.

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 and the salary assigned for the scale is $145,100 - $185,800. 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.  If this role assumes supervisory responsibilities in the future, this position will no longer be in the union. However, the person in this role will be eligible for additional compensation in alignment with our compensation practices for counsel roles.

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.