Family Law Fellow

Summary of Position

GLAD Law has been at the forefront of crafting a vision where every child and family is legally secure and has the ability to thrive. We have worked to ensure that states protect parent-child relationships, including for LGBTQ+ families, and that states provide equal access to fertility health care, adoption, and parental recognition. These protections are foundational to the security and dignity of LGBTQ+ families and children across the country.

To sustain and grow GLAD Law’s national leadership in family law, GLAD Law seeks a current attorney, recent judicial law clerk, or recently graduated law student for a 2-year, fully funded Family Law Fellowship. Reporting to GLAD Law’s Director of Family Advocacy, the fellow will work in collaboration with the Director and other members of the Legal Department to deepen GLAD Law’s litigation and legislative capacity to advance protections for LGBTQ+ families and children.

The position includes comprehensive training and competitive benefits, including health insurance, 401K, and opportunities for professional growth. The salary range for this position is $82,500-$110,000, dependent on years since graduating law school. GLAD Law’s legal team is primarily virtual and gathers in person one day per month. This can be an in-office, hybrid, or fully remote position, although preference may be given to candidates based on the East Coast or within commuting distance of Boston.

Requirements

The below list of requirements is not a checklist. If you are passionate about our work, and meet the bulk of these requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• J.D. degree and admission to practice law in at least one state in the United States (or admission anticipated before or shortly after start date).
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with a preference for litigation, legal research and writing, and/or policy experience.
• A passion for family law, LGBTQ+ and/or HIV work as well as related social justice issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community, including racial justice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in context of client and client development, all aspects of litigation, legislation or advocacy with government officials, and public persuasion.
• Commitment to deepening an understanding of the ways that all forms of discrimination impacts the LGBTQ+ community and informs our strategies and priorities.
• Potential for growth and development in skills and expertise as an attorney.
• Ability to work across departments and teams, both internally and externally with diverse stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Family Law Fellow works collaboratively with the Director of Family Advocacy, the Legal Department, and other GLAD Law staff to:

• Track and analyze state legislation affecting LGBTQ+ families and the issue areas above and others including gamete regulation, “fertility fraud,” birth certificate “reform,” parentage, and surrogacy protections, identifying opportunities for proactive advocacy and threats requiring defensive action, and working to effectuate that work by, for example, drafting legislation and supporting materials.
• Assist on litigation to advance family law protections in state and federal courts, including technical assistance and amicus brief drafting and coordination.
• Research and develop legal theories to strengthen the constitutional and statutory foundations of family protections and reproductive rights.
• Propose and contribute to amici interventions in cases with national significance for LGBTQ+ families and children.
• Engage in other policy work, such as rulemaking, to advance LGBTQ+ rights.
• Provide technical assistance to family law attorneys throughout the country to ensure that rights for LGBTQ+ families are protected.
• Partner with GLAD Law’s Marriage Defense team to monitor and respond to legal challenges to Obergefell and marriage equality at the state and federal level.
• Contribute to the legal department’s decision-making strategy.
• Provide support for GLAD Law Answers, GLAD Law’s legal information and referral service, including by working up legal intakes and providing individual support or legal referrals, where appropriate, to people who seek legal help on family law-related issues.
• Serve on internal working groups and committees as may be needed.
• Delegate work to legal interns and paralegal staff as appropriate.

The position includes comprehensive training and competitive benefits, including health insurance, 401K, and opportunities for professional growth.