Counsel (Voting Rights Project)

About the organization:

Fair Elections Center is a non-partisan organization dedicated to defending, expanding, and facilitating voting rights. We use advocacy, litigation, organizing, education, and technology to protect and expand the right to vote, understanding the particular impact on disenfranchised, underrepresented, and marginalized communities. Through our unique partnerships with hundreds of campuses across the country, we are able to empower millions of new voters to participate in our democracy. Our litigation and advocacy efforts across dozens of states allow us to anticipate and counteract threats to free and fair elections.

About the Voting Rights Project:

Fair Elections Center’s Voting Rights Project (VRP) litigates cutting-edge voting rights cases in federal and state courts around the country. VRP also engages in a wide variety of legislative and administrative advocacy efforts. The legal team also provides election law expertise to state-based civic engagement coalitions and community organizations on election law issues as they plan their programs, encounter problems, and engage election officials.

Position Description:

Fair Elections Center is seeking an experienced Counsel to join its Voting Rights Project (VRP). The Counsel plays a key role in advancing the organization's mission through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and policy initiatives that protect and expand the right to vote. Working collaboratively with attorneys, advocates, external partners, and programs across the organization, the Counsel develops and litigates voting rights cases in federal and state courts, supports election reform efforts, and contributes to strategic initiatives that improve access to the ballot. This position reports directly to the Litigation Director.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of Fair Elections Center’s Voting Rights Project team to develop and litigate all aspects of federal and state court lawsuits to protect and expand the right to vote, including researching and investigating the legality of registration and voting rules and procedures, drafting internal legal research memos, analyzing the viability of potential claims, drafting complaints, drafting motions and briefs in trial and appellate courts, developing record evidence including declarations and exhibits, drafting and reviewing discovery requests, taking depositions, arguing motions and appeals, coordinating with in-state partners, engaging with state and local election officials, recruiting plaintiffs and cocounsel, participating in trial teams, and more.
• Work with partner civic engagement, voting rights, election reform, registration, and mobilization groups to advance legislation, rules, and administrative practices which expand voter participation and to oppose voter suppression measures.
• Engage in ongoing outreach to state and local election officials to discuss reform initiatives and identify opportunities to collaborate to improve voters’ access to voter registration and the ballot.
• Collaborate on researching and drafting policy reports and other publications on election reform and voting rights.
• Draft op-eds and blog posts to communicate the impact of various election reforms to wider audiences and to oppose voter suppression efforts.
• Additional responsibilities include speaking engagements and attending staff and partner coalition meetings, as well as conferences.

Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctorate and a minimum of seven years post-J.D. experience required, which can include any mix of clerkships, fellowships, and/or practice.
• Must currently be a member of a State Bar and ultimately be able to waive into the D.C. Bar in the future.
• Substantial litigation experience is strongly preferred, though this need not be civil rights or public interest litigation experience.
• A passion for the defense and advancement of civil rights and voting rights is essential, as is an interest in an inclusive democracy.
• Familiarity with election and voting laws and/or policy, some knowledge of barriers to registration and voting and the mechanics of elections.
• Familiarity with community-based organizations or campaign organizing are strongly preferred.
• Policy or legislative advocacy experience is a plus.
• Proven ability to multi-task, work collaboratively and meet deadlines.

Location and Compensation:

This is a full-time, permanent, remote position but will require some travel to attend in-person meetings and events. Salary is $115,000 - $125,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Fair Elections Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity in our work environment and believe it furthers our mission to create and preserve an inclusive democracy for all voters and for underrepresented and marginalized communities in particular. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

As part of this commitment, Fair Elections Center will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Kristina Moore at kmoore@fairelectionscenter.org.

• This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change slightly or be added depending on the needs of the Organization.

Fair Elections Center offers generous employer paid health, vision, and dental insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.