Senior Counsel for Strategy and Policy

The Position

The National Womens Law Center seeks a Senior Counsel to work with the Director of Nominations and Cross-Cutting Policies to support the Centers work around judicial nominations and democracy policy work. Using a variety of legal and advocacy strategies, the Senior Counsel will focus on advancing judicial integrity, executive and judicial nominations, and democracy from a gender justice perspective.

This is a full-time, exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

The Organization

The National Womens Law Center fights for gender justicein the courts, in public policy, and in our societyworking across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of usespecially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.

For over 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org.

Responsibilities

• Engage in federal advocacy and lobbying before Congress to advance judicial integrity, nominations and democracy efforts, including providing technical assistance on bills;
• Build coalitions and partnerships to identify and advance policy goals;
• Research and analyze policy and legal issues and draft a variety of written materials, such as reports, factsheets, legislative testimony, etc.;
• Help shape program strategies and priorities;
• Represent the Center in public speaking opportunities;
• Support the Centers judicial nominations, Supreme Court, and democracy advocacy and campaigns;
• Engage with coalition partners, state bar associations, and legal networks to advance judicial pathways and nominations work;
• Conduct background research for pre-nomination advocacy of prospective administrative personnel and judicial nominees;
• Support the work of Fair Courts Task Force and table of womens organizations engaged in judicial nominations work by attending coalition meetings and coordinating briefings and other activities; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

• A Juris Doctorate (JD) law degree and a minimum of five years of legal experience;
• Membership in the District of Columbia Bar or ability to waive into the D.C. Bar;
• Experience with judicial integrity, ethics, judicial and executive nominations, and/or democracy, through policy and advocacy work, teaching, and/or litigation;
• Experience in program coordination, staffing coalitions, advocacy campaigns;
• Strong research, analytical, oral, and written communication skills;
• Strong office skills, including attention to detail, proofreading, and excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of key organizational and external partners including community leaders, Hill staff and other stakeholders;
• Ability to prioritize, organize and complete work independently and with discretion;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color in their approach to work; and

• Demonstrated ability to work well in a diverse, and inclusive team setting, remaining flexible, resourceful, and proactive.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

• Proven ability to work independently but also collaboratively in a team-based environment;
• Experience in coalition building and engagement.

Key Relationships

The Senior Counsel will report to the Director of Nominations and Cross-Cutting Policies on the Strategy and Policy team and will work with members of the Strategy and Policy team, colleagues across NWLC, and a diverse group of external partners. The Senior Counsel may supervise interns.

Compensation & Benefits

An annual salary within the range of $102,253-138,664 will be provided to the successful candidate with at least 5 years of experience directly relevant to this role, consistent with the National Womens Law Centers compensation framework. The successful candidates salary within this range will be determined by the number years of relevant experience they bring to the role.

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C. at our new office at 1350 Eye Street N.W. This role is based in D.C. and will be eligible for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis. The successful candidate will need to live in or relocate to the DMV (broadly defined as DC, Maryland, or Virginia).

The first 90 days of employment will be considered a probationary period.

Classification

NWLC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in NWLCs bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter outlining how your professional background is a good fit for this position. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment, as well as the average number of hours worked per week in each job. Applications accepted until position is filled.

Applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview. We kindly request that interested parties refrain from calling, emailing, or visiting NWLCs offices to express interest or check on the status of their application.

The National Womens Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce.We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all genders, gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLCs mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you dont check all the boxes, please apply. Wed appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email [email protected].