job opportunities | senior federal policy attorney

Eastern Regional Office

The National Center for Lesbian Rights seeks a Senior Attorney for Federal Policy for a two-year position in its Washington, D.C. Regional Office.

The Senior Attorney for Federal Policy takes the lead on bringing NCLR’s legal expertise to Washington and on increased efforts to change federal law, regulations and policy to end discrimination against LGBT people and to ensure equal rights and benefits for LGBT individuals and their families under federal law. This is a new position with a two-year term.

The main areas of responsibility are: performing and overseeing legal research and writing related to federal policy advocacy; working with the Executive Branch to ensure leadership and substantive advances on LGBT issues; and identifying and pursuing opportunities at the federal agency level to effect positive administrative and policy changes. The attorney will also work with Congress and congressional staff on federal legislation, and to ensure that NCLR’s members and supporters have the opportunity to engage in zealous constituent advocacy. The attorney will work closely with NCLR’s executive director, legal director, and director of projects and managing attorney to establish priorities and direction for NCLR’s work in this area and will supervise NCLR’s field organizer/D.C. office manager.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research and writing to analyze and advocate for proposed policy changes. These responsibilities will constitute the bulk of the attorney’s work for NCLR.
• Recruit and oversee pro bono attorneys, staff attorneys, public interest associates and law clerks to ensure that research needs related to federal advocacy are met.
• Track developments in the law and explain these developments and their likely impact to policymakers and their staffs.
• Educate a range of audiences about key federal legislative developments and policy issues through conferences, workshops, trainings and other public speaking engagements across the country.
• Analyze and comment on proposed regulations, and develop policy proposals.
• Draft and analyze legislative language, and ensure that NCLR’s priorities are reflected in LGBT-related bills and other legislation critical to NCLR’s mission.
• Identify, develop and work to advance key policy initiatives at the federal level, including rule and regulatory changes.
• Engage the Executive Branch on LGBT issues to achieve substantive positive changes in law and policy.
• Take the lead in convening coalition meetings related to law and policy changes, and participate in coalitions to achieve desired results.
• Develop and manage relationships with key players on these issues within the administration, including federal agencies.
• Build and manage relationships with key members of Congress and staff to influence how legislation is written and achieve legislative outcomes according to NCLR’s priorities.
• Track LGBT-related priority federal legislation, ensure that NCLR’s federal legislation webpage is up-to-date, and ensure that timely and accurate action alerts are sent.
• Ensure that NCLR is informed on all congressional activity on priority legislation and policy changes.
• Work closely with NCLR’s Communications staff to develop communications for e-advocacy campaigns and assist with the preparation of press releases, statements and other media materials related to key initiatives.
• Supervise NCLR’s field organizer/D.C. office manager.
• Other related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Active bar license in good standing plus minimum 5 years experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Substantive knowledge of LGBT legal issues and how these issues are positioned within a broader progressive framework.
• Proven leadership abilities within large, diverse coalitions and an engaging leadership style.
• Knowledge of how the Executive Branch and Congress work and ability to take the lead advancing legal and policy priorities.
• Knowledge, skills and experience necessary to identify opportunities for substantive engagement by NCLR in the federal policy arena, to prioritize among policy options, and to influence developments in federal legislation, regulations and policies.
• Ability to supervise field organizer/D.C. office manager.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and travel.

Compensation

Full-time position available immediately for two years. Competitive non-profit salary & benefits.

job opportunities | senior staff attorney

Southern Regional Office

The National Center for Lesbian Rights seeks a highly skilled, enthusiastic, articulate, and motivated Senior Staff Attorney to lead and manage its Southern Regional Office located in Miami, Florida. Position includes development responsibilities for the southern region.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day to day operations of Southern Regional Office.
• Handle all aspects of litigation in precedent-setting cases at the trial level and on appeal, including developing litigation strategy, performing legal research, and drafting briefs.
• Investigate and develop potential new matters.
• Analyze potential legislation and other public regulations and policies.
• Advise government agencies, elected officials, and policy makers on relevant issues.
• Engage in education efforts, including speaking at conferences and community events.
• Identify, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Develop publications and other legal resources.
• Represent NCLR positions to the media and the public generally.
• Cultivate, steward, and solicit donors and supporters.

Qualifications

• Law Degree and a minimum of seven years experience that prepares the applicant to independently manage ongoing litigation, conduct legal research, and draft high quality legal briefs and memoranda.
• High level of independence and initiative, good judgment, excellent speaking, and writing abilities.
• Ability to produce the highest caliber legal work, creativity, and a willingness to work with others toward the most effective strategies and initiatives to advance civil rights.
• Ability to talk about legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for nonlawyer audiences.
• Demonstrated awareness and commitment to a broad range of social and racial justice issues and an understanding of the multiple communities NCLR represents.
• Strong management experience.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and its potential, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest legal advocacy.
• Understanding of the challenges that the LGBT community faces in the southern region, and ability to develop effective strategies to meet them.
• Demonstrated fundraising and donor cultivation experience.
• Willingness to travel and to work long hours as necessary.

Compensation

Competitive non-profit salary and benefits.

job opportunities | law clerk position

Job Description

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is seeking law clerks to assist with all aspects of its national impact litigation, public policy, and educational work. Much of the clerk’s time will be devoted to interacting with members of the community who contact NCLR’s legal information helpline and handling their questions from start to finish under the supervision and training of NCLR staff attorneys. Externs also conduct case research, update publications, and draft memos on a wide range of issues affecting LGBT people and their families.

Positions are available in NCLR’s National Office in San Francisco, CA and in the Southern Regional Office in St. Petersburg, FL. Summer clerks work full time, and semester clerks may work full or part-time (minimum 12 hours per week).

NCLR hires law clerks for the summer as well as the fall and spring semesters.

Qualifications

Candidates must be current law students. Preference will be given to applicants who have familiarity with LGBT-related issues and a dedication to social justice. Excellent communication and writing skills are essential as is the ability to take initiative and see projects through completion.

Compensation

The law clerk position is unpaid, though matching work study funds may be available. NCLR encourages clerks to obtain outside funding or academic credit through their law school.

Deadline

The deadlines to apply are: summer, January 20; fall, August 10; spring, December 10, though applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, LGBT persons, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.