The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Senior Litigation Counsel to join the Reproductive Rights and Health team. The Senior Litigation Counsel position will support litigation efforts across the Reproductive Rights and Health team’s program areas. The Senior Counsel is expected to contribute to the Center’s broader goals of gender equality and justice, and may have opportunities to provide input across programs and teams.

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

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working 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 us — especially 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.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Engaging in all aspects of civil litigation relating primarily to reproductive rights and access to health care, including: developing new cases; conducting legal research and drafting legal memoranda; interviewing potential witnesses and clients; coordinating with experts; drafting pleadings and briefs; conducting oral argument; and participating in discovery, motion practice, trials, and appeals;
• Researching and developing creative legal arguments and litigation strategies;
• Drafting and helping to coordinate amicus briefs in litigation affecting reproductive rights and health;
• Conducting legal analyses, consulting with other Center staff, and drafting advocacy materials related to administrative and legislative policy priorities;
• Filing administrative complaints;
• Drafting fact sheets, issue briefs, blogs, and other written materials;
• Developing and maintaining client relationships with impacted individuals and organizations;
• Maintaining close working relationships with coalition partners;
• Working closely with other staff at the Center;
• Representing the Center at public events, conferences, and coalition meetings as needed;
• Travel to court appearances, conferences, and other meetings and events (travel estimated to be approximately 5-10% of time).

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

• A law degree and admission to a state bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including significant litigation experience;
• Outstanding legal research, writing, and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct complex legal analyses and develop novel legal arguments;

• A demonstrated ability to write and to speak clearly, effectively, and persuasively;

• Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail;
• A demonstrated ability to perform well independently and with grace under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment;
• A collaborative and collegial approach to work, an ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members;
• A demonstrated commitment to centering diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities;
• A commitment to the mission of the Center, including improving access to reproductive health care and promoting equity and justice in health care.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

• 7+ years of litigation experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other applicable laws;
• Knowledge of and experience with constitutional litigation;
• Knowledge of and experience with Administrative Procedure Act litigation;
• Knowledge of reproductive rights, health, and justice issues.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical legal information to a non-legal audience.

Key Relationships

The Senior Litigation Counsel will report directly to the Senior Director of Litigation for Reproductive Rights and Health and will work closely with staff across the Reproductive Rights and Health Team, as well as litigators on other program teams, the Campaigns and Communications Team, and the Research team. The Senior Litigation Counsel may have supervisory opportunities with legal fellows and interns.

Compensation & Benefits

A salary within the range of $105,321-142-824 will be provided to the successful candidate who has at least 5 years of experience directly relevant to this role, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. The successful candidate’s salary within this range will be determined by the number of relevant years of 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 NWLC’s bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interests and qualifications. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment, as well as the number of hours worked in each role. 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 NWLC’s offices to express interest or check on the status of their application.

The National Women’s 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 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 NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at nwlchr@nwlc.org.