The States United Democracy Center (“States United”), a nonpartisan organization focused on the critical role states play in protecting our elections, is looking to hire a Senior Counsel for its Election Protection team. The Senior Counsel is a core member of the organization’s legal program focusing on election protection work and reporting to the SVP of Legal.

About the Organization:  

The States United Democracy Center is a new and growing nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. We focus on connecting pro-democracy state and local officials, law enforcement leaders, and other partners across the U.S. with the tools and expertise they need to safeguard our democracy. During the 2020 election, then as the Voter Protection Program, we quickly became a go-to resource for state leaders, the press, and partner organizations. By bringing together current and former governors, secretaries of state, attorneys general, and law enforcement leaders for the first time, we helped build a nonpartisan firewall against those trying to undermine democracy. Now as States United, we support these partners in protecting the integrity of elections, holding those who seek to undermine democracy accountable, and preventing acts of political violence.

About the Legal Team: 

The Legal Department at States United is led by seasoned litigators and election law experts. The team is dynamic, productive, and good-humored, and the work is fast-paced, challenging, and complex. Although all team members work remotely, team cohesion and opportunities to connect with one another are a high priority—as is a culture of support, mentorship, and professional agency.

Job Overview: 

The Senior Counsel partners with a team of internal and external lawyers and policy experts to analyze election and voting laws, provide legal guidance to the organization and state officials, and bring and support litigation to protect elections, voting, and democracy.

Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to a healthy and vibrant team and organizational culture by proactively and thoughtfully addressing team needs. 

• Identify and develop litigation and other legal projects by conducting factual, legal, and strategic analysis, and devising relevant theories and cases. 

• Litigate cases in state and federal courts, working closely with other States United attorneys and co-counsel.

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

• Conduct legal research and provide guidance and analysis of election and voting laws; analyze bills, laws, and legal activity on elections and voting; and recommend legal, research, and policy actions. 

• Work with colleagues in the Policy and Communications Departments to analyze legal issues and develop public education and other materials on democracy protection, including drafting and/or reviewing policy reports, white papers, and press materials. 

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

Qualifications: 

• Attorney/JD with an active license and a minimum of 12 years of litigation experience. 

• Experience working on issues of election protection, voting rights, and/or democracy protection strongly preferred. 

• Experience working with state officials, including governors or attorneys general, a plus but not required. 

• Demonstrated ability to independently identify, conceptualize, lead, and manage significant public interest litigation. 

• Experience managing, developing, and mentoring junior attorneys and managing programs and staff. 

• Experience managing teams of attorneys and coordinating with internal and external legal teams. 

• 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. 

• Willingness and ability to travel at least 10-15% of time for internal meetings, external client meetings, conferences, and events.

• Outstanding judgment about both case/legal issues and management/organizational issues. 

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

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

Compensation Benefits: 
Annual salary starts at $160,000 and will be based on number of years of experience as an attorney. States United Democracy Center offers generous benefits including 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental plans plus matching retirement plans. 

States United has a physical office in Washington, D.C., but this position can be remote in the long term. Our team members work all throughout the country. 

States United values a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer, and encourage applications from all individuals 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.