Description:
Position Summary:Reporting to the Senior Director, Policy & Strategic Partnerships, the Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel, Policy helps CLC implement, advocate for, and defend policies that advance free and fair elections and protect against the threat of election sabotage. The Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel will play an integral role on the Policy team, with their primary responsibilities involving the team's legislative and administrative advocacy at the federal and state levels. The Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel's immediate responsibilities will include advocacy efforts to prepare for the 2024 election and preventing interference in election administration. The substantive portfolio for this position will expand in 2025 based on team and organizational priorities.
The Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel provides legal expertise to stakeholders and policymakers, and advocates to strengthen and protect elections at the federal and state levels. This includes analyzing and drafting legislation and policy proposals, creating advocacy materials, testifying before legislatures and other governmental bodies, and working closely with coalitions and partner organizations. This position requires an interest in election law and the ability to blend legal knowledge with political insight to help develop and enact creative and innovative policies that strengthen our democracy.
This position is eligible to take part in CLC's hybrid workforce policy.
A resume and cover letter are required to apply for this position; applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct legal research, analysis, writing, and advocacy in support of legislative and policy efforts
- Draft legislation, policy proposals, and legal advocacy materials, including policy papers, rulemaking comments, legislative testimony, public-facing reports, and letters to government officials
- Collaborate internally to develop organizational positions on emerging issues
- Conduct administrative advocacy with election officials, including oversight through public records requests
- Establish relationships with and advise state and national partners in support of legislative efforts
- Monitor and track legislation and develop CLC's responses
- Represent CLC at legislative and administrative hearings
- Other duties as assigned
- Some travel required
Qualifications and Skills:
- At least three years of legal experience
- Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
- Excellent judgment and strategic decision-making
- Experience developing and managing projects
- Experience in legislative lobbying, drafting, or staffing
- Proven ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a diverse range of partners
- Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to explain legal issues to non- legal audiences
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
- Commitment to CLC's mission
- Election law experience (policy or litigation) is a plus but not required
- Active membership in the DC bar in good standing, or eligibility to waive into the DC bar
