Counsel/Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Program and Bernard and Anne Spitzer Fellow

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’s Voting Rights Program seeks a talented attorney to join our team working to build a robust, participatory, and inclusive democracy for a Fellowship generously supported by the Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust. The attorney’s focus will be to combat voter suppression and advance pro-voter reforms in the states. This is a full-time, regular position, and is term limited to two years.

Our Voting Rights Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a renewed 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. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. 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 position will require some travel.

Note: This position is based in New York City or Washington D.C.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal and factual research and public writing in support of policy advocacy, legislative reform, and communications initiatives.
• Help to advance state-level policy reforms, often in collaboration with coalition partners.
• Participate in impact litigation, including research, brief writing, and strategy development.
• Write and speak for a general, non-legal audience, including speaking with news media, occasional opinion pieces, and public appearances.
• Contribute to team administration, including recruitment and hiring, and work with communications and development professionals.
• Supervise and mentor attorneys, legal interns, and/or program associates.

Qualifications

The Fellowship is designed to create opportunities for experienced attorneys – mid-level or senior – seeking to shift from governmental, legislative, law firm, or corporate practice to a public interest career. The Fellowship is also open to public interest attorneys in other fields who wish to change focus to the Brennan Center’s issue areas. Those with an interest in pursuing an academic teaching career after the fellowship are also encouraged to apply.

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 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.

• A minimum of four years’ legal work experience, including any clerkships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills.
• Experience anticipating and handling the day-to-day needs of litigation or advocacy campaigns.
• 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.
• Familiarity with administrative law, civil rights law, and/or federal civil litigation.
• 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.
• Experience working with civil rights, immigrant rights, or good government organizations, or community-based groups in a legal or non-legal capacity.
• Comfort working with social science research and experts.

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. 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 Instructions:

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 >>LINK HERE<<. 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: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Counsel/Senior Counsel, Voting Rights Program & Spitzer Fellow” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a scaled position. The salary assigned for the scale is $110,200 - $185,800 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. 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.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.