Legal Counsel: Voting Rights

About the Campaign Legal Center (CLC):

The Campaign Legal Center (CLC), is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. Through litigation, policy analysis and public education, CLC works to protect and strengthen the U.S. democratic process across all levels of government. CLC is adamantly nonpartisan, holding candidates and government officials accountable regardless of political affiliation.

CLC was founded in 2002 and is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Our work today is more critical than ever as we fight the current threats to our democracy in the areas of campaign finance, voting rights, redistricting, and ethics. Most recently, CLC argued Gill v. Whitford, the groundbreaking Supreme Court case seeking to end extreme partisan gerrymandering. In addition, CLC plays a leading watchdog role on ethics issues, providing expert analysis and helping journalists uncover ethical violations. CLC participates in legal proceedings across the country to defend the right to vote.

Position Summary

CLC’s voting rights team engages in various forms of advocacy—including administrative and local advocacy, legal research and reporting, educational efforts, legislative drafting, amicus filings, and trial and appellate litigation—to protect the fundamental right to vote. CLC has recently co-created a collaborative project, All Voting is Local, with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), the American Constitution Society (ACS), the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), and The Leadership Conference Education Fund (and its project, Access Democracy) (LCEF). The project seeks to identify, prevent, and remedy voting barriers at the local level in targeted jurisdictions. Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, Voting Rights & Redistricting, the Legal Counsel will play an integral role in the voting rights team. Legal Counsel will be the primary staff member assigned to providing legal support and research for the All Voting is Local project.

This work will include developing and drafting affirmative policy and legislative proposals, and conducting research and drafting advocacy letters to counter negative proposals. Legal Counsel will also participate in the voting rights program’s docket, including identifying litigation opportunities, drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs, managing discovery, and assisting with trial and appellate proceedings.

This position is currently fully funded for one year. Continuation of the position is expected but contingent on renewal of dedicated funding.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Research and report on election administration issues at the local level.
• Advise All Voting is Local staff on voting rights issues as they are addressed.
• Draft administrative and local advocacy materials for the All Voting is Local project.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs in federal and state cases
• Research legal issues and draft legal memoranda in support of CLC’s litigation strategy
• Monitor and identify litigation opportunities and needs in area of voting rights
• Participate in trial proceedings
• Other duties as assigned
• Some travel required

Qualifications and Skills

• At least one year of legal experience (a judicial clerkship satisfies this requirement)
• Experience drafting legal memoranda
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills with a proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
• Active membership in the DC bar in good standing, or eligibility to waive into the DC bar
• Commitment to the nonpartisan nature and overall mission of CLC
• Demonstrated interest in voting rights is preferred but not required

Benefits

CLC provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance, as well as flexible spending account and retirement programs.

EEO Statement

The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services and benefits.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume addressing your interest in and relevant experience for this role with “Legal Counsel, Voting Rights” in the subject line in an email to info@campaignlegalcenter.org.

Please submit applications by June 1, 2018.