Counsel/Senior Counsel, Judiciary Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to court reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them—in the courts, in Congress and the states, and in the court of public opinion.

Position

The Brennan Center seeks an attorney to join the Center’s growing Judiciary Program, which works to realize a fair and inclusive judicial system that protects fundamental rights and democratic values. The attorney will develop new work to advance innovative court reforms at the federal and state levels, foster progressive jurisprudence under state constitutions, and expose systemic inequities in the legal system.

The contours of this work will be defined in part by the attorney’s skill set and interests, and we encourage candidates with a wide range of relevant experiences to apply. The attorney’s primary focus will be advancing Supreme Court and other federal court reform, including developing advocacy strategies, publishing related research, legislative drafting, counseling policymakers, and coalition building. Other work may include drafting amicus briefs and engaging in scholarly and popular writing related to state and federal court rulings and building a community of interested litigators, legal scholars, historians, and others to support the development of state constitutional rights.

Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working from home 2 days a week. This position is based at our headquarters in New York City or in Washington, D.C. and may require occasional travel.

Responsibilities may include:

• Engaging in legal and policy research and drafting reports and legal scholarship.
• Engaging in federal and state policy advocacy to legislative bodies, courts, and other policy makers.
• Coalition and network-building, including organizing convenings and scholarly symposia.
• Tracking litigation and coordinating amicus campaigns in key cases.
• Participating in impact litigation and drafting amicus briefs. 
• Advancing organizational goals through media and public communications, including opinion pieces, blog posts, media appearances, and participation in conferences. 
• Managing junior staff and contributing to productive and collegial work within the team and across departments, including administration, recruitment, communications, and development.

Qualifications:

Required. The position requires a J.D. and admission to the bar.

Ideal. The ideal candidate will have some combination of the following experiences and qualifications. We recognize that many excellent candidates may not have all these experiences and qualifications and we will provide support for the successful candidate to acquire additional skills.

• A minimum of three years of legal experience, including any clerkships. Both mid- and senior- level candidates are encouraged to apply.
• A commitment to civil rights and racial equity. 
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong ability and desire to write for legal, policy, academic, and public audiences
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A creative, problem-solving mindset with demonstrated ability to turn ideas into products or actions.
• Experience in the legislative, political campaign, governmental, legal, academic, journalistic, or nonprofit advocacy sectors. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization, and openness to feedback.

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace.  We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true-self and feel a strong sense of belonging.   As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion.  In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.

To Apply: To apply, please visit https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/CounselSenior-Counsel-Judiciary-Program and upload, as a single document (where it says “attach resume”), a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. We prefer applications to be submitted through our website. If you have difficulty uploading these items as one document, e-mail them to brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Counsel, Judiciary Program” in the subject line.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a scaled position. The salary range assigned for the scale is $104,000 - $176,001 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after graduation from law school of the selected candidate.  Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320. 

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

• Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.