Talent Market

Talent Market is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector

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Advice for Attorneys Interested in Transitioning to the Free-Market Nonprofit World

Katelynn Barbosa

Private law practice can be intellectually stimulating and lucrative, but years of billing hours and working for clients you are not passionate about eventually leads many attorneys to consider a career change.

If you’re starting to wonder if you could ever escape the rat race and feel fulfilled at work for once, the answer is YES! You can use your skills to litigate against the ever-expanding government and maximize liberty by using your legal skills in the free-market nonprofit world. Sound like a dream come true?

It is, and we help attorneys do it every day. And making the transition might be easier than you think. Below are several things to keep in mind if you’re an attorney who wants to enter the free-market nonprofit universe. 

1.  Write a cover letter that clearly articulates your love of liberty.

When applying for a role in the free-market universe, take everything your former HR manager told you and throw it out the window. In other words, you want to be very clear about where you are coming from philosophically! 

And even if you clerked for Justice Thomas and then sued the IRS while riding a bald eagle and holding an American flag, your cover letter still needs to articulate your passion for the principles of liberty. In addition to discussing your general philosophical beliefs, be sure to address why the organization’s mission resonates with you. 

2.  Get involved in the liberty world and include your involvement on your resume.

Ideally, your resume will demonstrate your passion for liberty. For instance:

  • Become active in the Federalist Society.
    Most large cities have a lawyer’s chapter. Get involved!
  • Do liberty-oriented pro-bono work.
    If your firm offers opportunities for pro bono work, how about teaming up with a free-market nonprofit to write an amicus brief?
  • Participate in free-market oriented CLEs and conferences.
    In addition to looking good on your resume, these are great opportunities for networking and learning more about the free-market nonprofit landscape. The biggest of these is the Federalist Society Lawyers Convention. You can’t find a better networking opportunity in the liberty world and there are 20 hours of CLE credit! Also, check out Institute for Justice’s conferences and events and Pacific Legal Foundation events.
  • Don’t forget about your past!
    Include past liberty-oriented activities on your resume as well. For instance: Federalist Society membership in law school, free-market nonprofit internships/seminars, and participation in liberty-minded clinics.

3.  Get familiar with liberty-oriented public interest law firms and litigation centers.

There are many public interest law firms and litigation centers in the liberty movement, and the more familiar you become with them and their hiring needs, the better off you’ll be.

Here are some of the liberty-oriented public interest law firms and organizations with legal centers Talent Market has assisted over the years:

  • Pacific Legal Foundation
  • Institute for Justice
  • Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
  • Center for American Liberty
  • National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation
  • Upper Midwest Law Center
  • New Civil Liberties Alliance
  • Parents Defending Education 
  • Center for Individual Rights
  • Kansas Justice Institute
  • Beacon Center Legal Foundation
  • Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
  • Mississippi Justice Center
  • Texas Public Policy Foundation – Center for the American Future
  • Mackinac Center Legal Foundation
  • Landmark Legal Foundation
  • Freedom Foundation
  • Public Interest Legal Foundation
  • Fairness Center
  • Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute
  • Mountain States Legal Foundation
  • 1851 Center for Constitutional Law 
  • America First Legal Foundation
  • National Taxpayers Union Foundation – Taxpayer Defense Center
  • Washington Legal Foundation
  • National Federation of Independent Business, Small Business Legal Center

4.  Consider non-litigation opportunities that will allow you to use your legal background.

In addition to litigation, there are many other ways to use your legal background in the liberty movement! (Yours truly is the perfect example of this. I litigated for liberty for four years before moving on to law school career services and now I am back to working for liberty but not as a lawyer. It can be done!)

Here are some common ways to put your legal background to good use in the free-market world:

  • Policy: Policy roles are a potential fit for people with a legal background, especially since policy roles (like legal roles) are research and writing intensive. One natural path is to find a policy role that aligns with your subject matter expertise. For instance, if you have spent years litigating energy issues, you might want to consider an energy policy opening. That said, since this would be new territory for you, be sure to use your cover letter to explain how your legal experience translates to a policy role.
  • Writing: Litigators are writers. And Talent Market regularly manages writing searches in communications and development, so you might want to explore those openings if you enjoy writing. That said, remember that legal writing is a different beast than many other writing roles, so you might want to include other writing samples that prove your versatility. For football fans, think of Jim Nance and Tony Romo calling games. Jim is the straightforward facts guy (legal writing) and Tony adds the color. For non-legal writing roles, especially those in communications and development, you’ll need to embrace both Jim and Tony’s style to be successful.
  • Development: Fundraising is our biggest talent need, hands down. One option for attorneys interested in fundraising is to move into a development role for a free-market litigation center or group specializing in legal issues. Your ability to talk to donors and potential supporters about legal issues will be a tremendous asset. But make sure you explain in your cover letter why you are interested in making the transition to fundraising. 
  • Other opportunities: The skillsets attorneys develop in their practice can be vast and varied. Attorneys can succeed in leadership, project management, operations, compliance, human resources, or any number of other areas! If you see a job opening that appeals to you and aligns with your skills, throw your hat in the ring and make your best case for why you are looking to make the transition in your cover letter.

5.  Be ready for a better work/life balance but a lower salary.

When you make the jump to a free-market nonprofit, you can kiss goodbye billing in six minute increments! Make no mistake, liberty-minded lawyers still work hard, but work/life balance undoubtedly improves.

But let me guess… you want to keep your 400K big law salary while litigating for liberty at a free-market nonprofit? Well, I want to date Jon Hamm, but we can’t have everything. You can make a good living with excellent benefits at a nonprofit, but you will almost certainly not make big law money. So, unshackle yourself from those golden handcuffs and start your job search with realistic expectations.

Starting salary ranges for an experienced attorney in the free-market nonprofit world run from around 125-200K, depending on the organization and the seniority of the position. (Entry and junior level salaries are usually less.) Salaries for experienced attorneys can be 200K+, though that isn’t common. It’s still a good living and I pinky swear you’ll find the work both enjoyable and fulfilling.

6.  Adopt a startup mentality.

Most large private sector law firms have ample support staff, including paralegal, secretarial, and tech support. And while many bigger nonprofits in the liberty movement do have administrative staff, most of the smaller nonprofits have little or no support services.

That means you might need to format your own tables of authorities, file briefs, and fix your computer problems. But on the upside, you won’t have to work 100-hour work weeks! 

7.  You can make the jump, but it may not be easy.

Some free-market organizations have a preference for candidates with experience in this sector, or at least, experience working on Constitutional issues. But even without that experience, you can still make the transition. You might have to apply for multiple jobs, but don’t get frustrated!

If you have been daydreaming about litigating for liberty, stop dreaming and take action! These opportunities are plentiful and organizations are always on the lookout for great talent, even if you haven’t worked in the public interest legal world before. If you want Talent Market to keep you on our radar for these opportunities, send in your resume form and check out our current legal openings here. 

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    Civil Rights Attorney – Pacific Legal Foundation – Virtual Office

    Program Manager, Education Policy Studies – American Enterprise Institute – Washington, DC

    Vice President of Global Tax Policy – Tax Foundation – Virtual Office or Washington, DC

    Washington State News Editor – The Center Square – Virtual in WA

    North American Programs Manager – Students for Liberty – Virtual Office

    Development Events Coordinator – State Policy Network – Arlington, VA or Virtual Office

    Vice President of Communications – Center for Education Reform/Yass Prize – Washington, DC, Hybrid, or Virtual

    Development Writer – American Enterprise Institute – Washington, DC

    Brand Manager – Young Voices – Washington, DC; New York City, NY; or Virtual Office

    Digital Media Specialist – Center of the American Experiment – Golden Valley, MN

    Assistant Director, Educational Programs – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans – Alexandria, VA

    Scholarship Programs Administrator – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans – Alexandria, VA

    Conference Services Manager – Heritage Foundation – Washington, DC 

    Vice President of External Relations – Illinois Policy Institute – Virtual Office or Hybrid in Chicago, IL

    Managing Director of Outreach – Mercatus Center at George Mason University – Arlington, VA

    Major Gifts Officer – Mercatus Center at George Mason University – Arlington, VA or Virtual in the Western US

    Communications Specialist – Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom – St. Paul, MN or Virtual Office

    Senior Litigation Counsel – New Civil Liberties Alliance – Washington, DC

    Litigation Counsel – New Civil Liberties Alliance – Washington, DC

    Chief Development Officer – The Fund for American Studies – Washington, DC

    Community Manager – Americans for Fair Treatment – Virtual Office

    Communications Director – Network of enlightened Women – Virtual Office 

    Continuing Education Program Coordinator - The Fund for American Studies - Washington, DC

    Free Enterprise Project Associate – National Center for Public Policy Research – Washington, DC or Virtual Office

    Manager, FREE Initiative - American Enterprise Institute - Washington, DC

    Grants Manager – Heritage Foundation – Washington, DC

    Partnership Advisor – Leadership Institute – Arlington, VA or Virtual in the Midwest

    Vice President of Development/Director of Development – Sutherland Institute – Hybrid in Salt Lake City, UT

    Accountant – American Legislative Exchange Council – Arlington, VA

    Program Associate – State Policy Network – Arlington, VA or Virtual Office

    Development Associate – National Center for Public Policy Research – Washington, DC

    Marketing Associate – Mercatus Center at George Mason University – Arlington, VA

    Operations Coordinator – Philanthropy Roundtable – Washington, DC

    Director of Sponsor Partnerships – State Policy Network – Virtual Office or Arlington, VA

    Senior Director of Operations – State Policy Network – Virtual Office or Arlington, VA

    Director of Leadership Development Programs – America’s Future – Washington, DC or Virtual

    Senior Attorney – National Federation of Independent Business, Small Business Legal Center – Hybrid in Washington, DC

    Major Gifts Officer – Texas Public Policy Foundation – Austin, TX

    Development Manager – R Street Institute – Washington, DC or Virtual

    Senior Analyst for Budget and Tax Research – Illinois Policy Institute – Hybrid in Chicago, IL

    Head of Policy – Illinois Policy Institute – Hybrid in Chicago, IL

    Communications and Social Media Associate – Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy – Charleston, WV or Virtual Office

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If you want us to keep you in mind for opportunities, send us your resume so we have all the details that will help us help you.

About Us

Claire Kittle Dixon

Claire Kittle Dixon
Executive Director
Claire has more than a decade of experience in the talent development field. She…
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Katelynn Barbosa
Director of Talent Engagement
Katelynn started her career in the Koch Associate Program and then litigated at the Institute for Justice…
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Katy Gambella
Director of Outreach
Katy began her career at the Institute for Humane Studies and later joined the Cato Institute…
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Stephanie Keaveney
Outreach Manager
Stephanie’s career started at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal…
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Lydia Ocampo
Outreach Specialist
Lydia started her career with Young Americans for Liberty. During her time with YAL…
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Wait, You’re a Nonprofit?

Talent Market is a nonprofit. We’ll wait here while that sinks in. We know it’s a crazy concept, but it’s been working like a charm since 2009.

Talent Market’s mission is to promote liberty by providing talent for critical roles within the free-market nonprofit sector.

We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation. (We do not work with political organizations, organizations with mission statements that do not clearly advance free-market principles, organizations that focus on social issues, or organizations that have a focus outside of the United States. We are not a job board. ) 

Talent Market believes that the road to prosperity is paved with freedom and that the success of our movement hinges on the talent that will take us there.

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