Reports to: Senior Staff Attorney
Location: Position will be based either in Cotati, California, or may be remote.
Employment Status: Full-time, beginning in Fall of 2022 and lasting for approximately two years.
Compensation & Benefits: Competitive compensation with excellent benefits, including:
Comprehensive health care, dental, life, and vision benefits (all 100% employer paid);
Flexible spending account;
Generous Paid Time Off;
11 paid holidays;
401k retirement plan after one year of employment, with employer match up to 5% of annual salary;
Casual office environment includes companion animals, for positions based in Cotati, CA;
Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Position Objectives:
Litigation Fellows in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program are responsible for the day-to-day management of their assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research, filings, and other aspects of litigation. Litigation Fellows are also responsible for assisting the Litigation Program in developing new cases.
Responsibilities:
Act as counsel under the supervision of a Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, Managing Attorney, or the Litigation Program Director, and be responsible for all research, filings, and other aspects of litigation, for assigned cases and projects.
Develop skills as a litigator, through filings, appearances, and oral arguments, where appropriate.
Research and develop novel legal theories and strategies, as well as fact patterns, for new cases.
Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to propose, draft, proofread and/or edit content on cases and legal developments.
Coordinate, as needed, with other programs, including with Criminal Justice Program staff on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components, the Legislative Affairs Program, the Animal Law Program, and Pro Bono Programs staff.
Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.
Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Litigation Program cases, animal law civil cases in general, and legal strategy.
Qualifications:
Must have a J.D. when the fellowship begins and be admitted to practice law in the state where you will reside during your fellowship (or be awaiting bar results on the start date of your fellowship).
Must have graduated from law school within three years of the start date (Class of 2019 or later).
Must understand and be committed to the mission and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Must have excellent organizational and prioritization skills and be able to meet deadlines.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with members, supporters, co-workers, and opposing counsel.
Must have a positive attitude and be able to work cooperatively with others and function well in a team-oriented work environment.
EOE Disclaimer:
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.
Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.
How to Apply:
The application deadline for this position is September 10, 2021.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to apply early as we may make a decision before the deadline closes.
Applicants should email an application form, cover letter, résumé (including 2-3 professional references), original writing sample, and transcript (unofficial is acceptable) to Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Administrator at LitigationJobs@aldf.org.
Application packages that are printed to .pdf and combined into one file with files in the order listed above are appreciated.
Email the Litigation Administrator at LitigationJobs@aldf.org with questions about this preferred submission format or with other questions regarding this position.
Contact: LitigationJobs@aldf.org