Job Overview:

The Senior Counsel (Election Protection) is a core member of the organization’s legal program reporting to a Program Director (Election Protection). The Senior Counsel partners with a team of internal and external lawyers and policy experts to analyze election and voting laws and provide legal guidance to the organization and state officials to effectively meet clients’ needs for their lane of work (election protection).

This role is expected to contribute to the oversight, guidance and mentorship of more junior attorneys and legal interns, fellows, outside counsel, and outside consultants.

Responsibilities:

• Perform all duties in accordance with States United’s values of integrity, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

• Maintain and develop high-quality relationships with clients by exercising sound and careful judgment, a commitment to client confidentiality, professionalism, follow-through, and reliability.

• Proactively identify clients’ needs and organizational ability to meet them, including developing expertise in relevant election and voting laws and local, state, and federal dynamics, and identifying potential legal and strategic responses.

• As requested by clients, provide litigation support for cases in state and federal courts, working closely with other States United attorneys and co-counsel.

• Conduct legal research and provide guidance and analysis of laws relating to elections, voting, and constitutional rights and analyze related bills, laws, and legal activity.

• Produce complete and highly polished work product reflecting a high level of rigor and clarity, in a timely/urgent manner.

• Provide technical assistance and expert legal and strategic advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice Presidents, Board members, stakeholders, partners, coalition members and others who seek assistance from States United.

• In response to developments in the field, synthesize legal, policy, and practical guidance into concise resources for States United stakeholders and clients.

• Work with colleagues in the other areas of the organization, including Public Safety, Communications, Research and Analytics, and Strategy and Partnerships, to analyze legal issues and develop public education and other materials on democracy protection, including drafting and/or reviewing reports, white papers, and public education materials.

• Develop, oversee and manage work with outside experts, consultants, law firms, and lawyers.

• Help ensure effective flow of information to key stakeholders within the organization, such as through active engagement in regularly scheduled meetings, presentations on ongoing research priorities and findings, and convening meetings to discuss emerging issues.

• Contribute to strategic planning and prioritization of work within a state or lane of work.

• Help manage, mentor, and develop Counsel, fellows, and student interns.

• Contribute to hiring processes and onboarding of new hires.

• Occasionally contribute to public communications, such as press releases and interviews, on behalf of States United.

• May assist the Development team with specific requests, such as preparation for donor briefings and funding proposals.

Minimum Requirements:

• Attorney/JD with an active license and a minimum of 12 years of post-law school experience.

• Demonstrated ability to independently identify, conceptualize, lead, and manage significant public interest and/or government-related legal work.

• Excellent client/relationship management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a demanding and fast-paced environment.

• Willingness and ability to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and/or more than 40 hours a week as necessary.

• Outstanding judgment about case/legal issues, project management/organizational issues, professional demeanor, and client service.

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, including drafting and editing complex legal analysis and briefs.

• Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.

• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 15% travel time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on or familiarity with issues related to elections, voting, and state government.

• Experience working with state officials, including governors, attorneys general, and Secretaries of State.

• Experience overseeing, developing, and mentoring junior attorneys and staff, and administering programs.

• 8+ years of litigation experience.

We encourage individuals to submit their application for consideration even if they believe they do not have all the preferred qualifications.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting salary for this position is $170,000+ commensurate to experience.
• Benefits include 100% employer paid health, vision, and dental plans; matching retirement benefits; generous paid time off.

We have offices located in Boston, MA, Brooklyn, NY, and Washington, DC. This position may also be remote within the United States, with travel to attend organizational and team meetings and conferences, and other travel as needed.

States United Democracy Center is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.