Counsel

Protect Democracy

Counsel role at Protect Democracy focusing on litigation and advocacy to uphold democratic norms. Requires 5-10 years legal experience, particularly in election law or impact litigation.

Posted 4/30/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $138,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Research and devise innovative legal arguments and potential litigation approaches, managing case or project teams as needed
Recruit and retain clients and plaintiffs engage with outside counsel, co-counsel, and opposition counsel; and represent Protect Democracy in non-litigation external settings (such as coalitions)
Help build our expertise as thought leaders on legal issues within the scope of our mission
Participate in and manage discovery processes, including informal fact-finding and evidence gathering, document review, witness interviews, written discovery practice, depositions, and expert discovery
Develop, influence, and drive complex strategies for litigation, policy reform, and other integrated advocacy projects consistent with our mission
Research, draft, and edit pleadings, motions, and other briefs filed in impact litigation
Work with the communications team to deliver comms-based strategies to build support for legal theories of change (i.e. including legal memos, primers, editorials, and op-eds)
In coordination with policy advocates, contribute to creative policy solutions and campaigns, working with legislators, agencies, experts, and coalitions to advance them
Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Five to ten years of legal experience (including clerkships)
Experience in election law or voting rights law and/or experience in impact litigation or supporting policy advocacy
Enthusiasm for and commitment to Protect Democracy’s cross-ideological, nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy
Exceptional analytical skills and writing and presentation skills directed at both lawyer and nonlawyer audiences
Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities
Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways
Nimbleness and an ability to perform well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous sick leave
Flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take on average 4-5 weeks off each year
12 paid holidays
6 weeks of paid family and medical leave
18 weeks of paid parental leave
401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately
Full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes dental and vision insurance
Long-term disability and life insurance
Home office stipend

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

legal researchlitigation strategiesdocument reviewpleadings draftingmotion draftingevidence gatheringwitness interviewsdepositionsexpert discoverypolicy advocacy

Soft Skills

analytical skillswriting skillspresentation skillscollaborative relationshipsteamworkgrowth mindsetfeedback receptivenessnimblenessprioritizationbalance responsibilities