job opportunities | federal policy clerk

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is seeking a federal policy clerk to assist in NCLR’s federal policy and legislative work in Washington, D.C. The clerk's responsibilities will include: legal and factual research and writing related to federal policy advocacy; tracking developments in pending LGBT-related federal legislation; reviewing and analyzing pending regulations, policy proposals, and legislative language; and participating in various coalition meetings related to federal law and policy changes and proposals.

The position is in NCLR’s Washington D.C. office, and is a semester-long part-time position (minimum 12 hours per week).

Qualifications

Candidates must be current law students in their second or third year of law school. Preference will be given to applicants who have familiarity with LGBT-related issues, federal policy, and a dedication to social justice. Excellent communication and writing skills are essential as is the ability to take initiative and see projects through completion.

Compensation

The clerk position is unpaid, though matching work study funds may be available. NCLR encourages clerks to obtain outside funding or academic credit through their law school.

Deadline

The deadlines to apply are: summer, January 20; fall, August 10; spring, December 10, though applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

job opportunities | senior staff attorney

Southern Regional Office

The National Center for Lesbian Rights seeks a highly skilled, enthusiastic, articulate, and motivated Senior Staff Attorney to lead and manage its Southern Regional Office located in Miami, Florida. Position includes development responsibilities for the southern region.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day to day operations of Southern Regional Office.
• Handle all aspects of litigation in precedent-setting cases at the trial level and on appeal, including developing litigation strategy, performing legal research, and drafting briefs.
• Investigate and develop potential new matters.
• Analyze potential legislation and other public regulations and policies.
• Advise government agencies, elected officials, and policy makers on relevant issues.
• Engage in education efforts, including speaking at conferences and community events.
• Identify, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Develop publications and other legal resources.
• Represent NCLR positions to the media and the public generally.
• Cultivate, steward, and solicit donors and supporters.

Qualifications

• Law Degree and a minimum of seven years experience that prepares the applicant to independently manage ongoing litigation, conduct legal research, and draft high quality legal briefs and memoranda.
• High level of independence and initiative, good judgment, excellent speaking, and writing abilities.
• Ability to produce the highest caliber legal work, creativity, and a willingness to work with others toward the most effective strategies and initiatives to advance civil rights.
• Ability to talk about legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for nonlawyer audiences.
• Demonstrated awareness and commitment to a broad range of social and racial justice issues and an understanding of the multiple communities NCLR represents.
• Strong management experience.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and its potential, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest legal advocacy.
• Understanding of the challenges that the LGBT community faces in the southern region, and ability to develop effective strategies to meet them.
• Demonstrated fundraising and donor cultivation experience.
• Willingness to travel and to work long hours as necessary.

Compensation

Competitive non-profit salary and benefits.

job opportunities | public interest associate

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is now welcoming applications from current or incoming law firm associates who have been offered a "deferral" to work in public interest law for a period of time with financial support from their employer. The public interest associate would assist with all aspects of NCLR's national impact litigation, public policy, and educational work, acting in a role similar to that of NCLR staff attorneys at a level commensurate with the applicant's experience as a practicing attorney. The role of the public interest associate will involve some or all of the following work:

• Participating in NCLR's wide-ranging litigation docket, including, but not limited to, performing legal research, drafting pleadings, motions, briefs and other case-related documents, investigating and developing potential new matters; and participating in all aspects of NCLR’s legal advocacy work.
• Analyzing potential legislation and other public regulations and policies.
• Developing publications and other legal resources.

Some of the public interest associate’s time will also be devoted to providing legal information about LGBT civil rights issues to members of the community who contact NCLR’s legal information helpline.

One full-time position is available in NCLR’s National Office in San Francisco and one full-time position is available in NCLR's Los Angeles office. Some travel is required.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be current or incoming associates at law firms who will receive financial support and employment benefits, including health coverage, from their employer to work in-house at NCLR. Preference will be given to applicants who possess:
• A demonstrated awareness of and commitment to a broad range of social and racial justice issues and an understanding of the multiple communities NCLR represents.
• Enthusiasm for the work of the organization and its potential, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest legal advocacy.
• A high level of independence and initiative, good judgment, and excellent communication skills.
• Strong legal research and writing capabilities.
• The ability to produce the highest caliber legal work, creativity, and a willingness to work with others toward the most effective strategies and initiatives to advance civil rights.