NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS SEEKS

SENIOR FEDERAL POLICY ATTORNEY FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE 

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

Responsibilities:

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.

The attorney will:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Track developments in the law and explain these developments and their likely impact to policymakers and their staffs.
4. 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.
5. Analyze and comment on proposed regulations, and develop policy proposals.
6. 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.
7. Identify, develop and work to advance key policy initiatives at the federal level, including rule and regulatory changes.
8. Engage the Executive Branch on LGBT issues to achieve substantive positive changes in law and policy. 
9. Take the lead in convening coalition meetings related to law and policy changes, and participate in coalitions to achieve desired results.
10. Develop and manage relationships with key players on these issues within the administration, including federal agencies.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Ensure that NCLR is informed on all congressional activity on priority legislation and policy changes.
14. 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.
15. Supervise NCLR’s field organizer/D.C. office manager.
16. Other related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Active bar license in good standing plus minimum 5 years experience. 
2. Excellent legal research, writing, verbal and interpersonal skills.
3. Substantive knowledge of LGBT legal issues and how these issues are positioned within a broader progressive framework.
4. Proven leadership abilities within large, diverse coalitions and an engaging leadership style.
5. Knowledge of how the Executive Branch and Congress work and ability to take the lead advancing legal and policy priorities. 
6. 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.
7. Ability to supervise field organizer/D.C. office manager.
8. 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.

To Apply:

Send cover letter, resume, 5-10 page legal research writing sample, and three work references by e-mail only to: Joshua Delgado, Legal Assistant, National Center for Lesbian Rights at jdelgado@nclrights.org. 

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