About CIR:

Founded in 1989, CIR is a nationwide, nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to defending individual liberties against state and federal government abuses. With nine Supreme Court appearances and many other landmark victories in our storied history, we continue to select cases strategically to establish enduring constitutional precedents with broad applications while also influencing public policy and a wider cultural discourse.

CIR is accelerating the growth of our operations and tightly aligned team. We are committed to the principle that America’s founding documents and post-Civil War amendments represent the fullest realization of Enlightenment ideals—with a charter of limited and divided government and other protections for individual rights that are the envy of the world.

Our proud public mission is to establish landmark precedents that strengthen and restore the individual rights essential for a free and flourishing society. In sum, CIR team members are principled, zealous advocates committed to restoring that constitutional charter and its attendant benefits.

Are you ready for more meaningful work?

Wanted: Experienced, strategic litigators, devoted to the cause of liberty, who want to channel their talent, skills, and passion into protecting individual rights from government abuse in high-profile constitutional litigation.

About the Role

CIR seeks experienced litigators with five or more years of civil trial and appellate litigation experience (including any judicial clerkships) to help incubate, execute, and win major landmark victories that defend, expand, and entrench individual liberties.

CIR’s ideal candidates will demonstrate:

  • Strong alignment with CIR’s mission and a passion for advancing individual liberty;
  • A deep knowledge of constitutional law and its central role in our mission;
  • Entrepreneurial skills to develop and execute novel litigation strategies;
  • Ability to identify specific opportunities for consequential litigation;
  • A commitment to client and public interest case development;
  • A collaborative approach in working with attorneys inside and outside the organization, clients, and prospective clients;
  • Interest in all aspects of public interest law; and
  • Creativity and drive to be a constructive change agent, helping CIR continually improve and increase its impact in a competitive environment.

The experienced litigator will work directly with CIR’s senior leadership to expand and advance its litigation practice areas, including restoring competitive federalism, promoting equal protection of the law, and defending freedom of speech.

In sum, CIR’s litigation team will develop and win landmark cases. This often requires setting the stage for broad reform with publications, media appearances, public advocacy, and coalition building, and establishing litigators as sought-after national spokespersons for individual rights.

Necessary Qualifications

  • Five or more years of active litigation experience,with a meaningful record of relevant, first-chair roles. Judicial clerkships and experience in public interest law are strong advantages.
  • Demonstrated passion for promoting individual liberty and a deep understanding of its constitutional foundations.
  • Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, plus the ability to communicate persuasively for both legal and non-legal audiences.
  • Exemplary planning and organization skills, including meticulous attention to detail.
  • Excellent time-management skills to advance multiple cases and handle dynamic, fast-moving situations.
  • Collaborative spirit, combined with a sense of humor to challenge government malefactors in a relentless and disciplined manner without forgetting the bright side of life.
  • Willingness to travel for client and case development, litigation appearances, and other institutional purposes.

General Information:

CIR’s headquarters are in Washington, DC, but we have embraced some flexible, hybrid, and remote work arrangements. The ideal candidate would work from CIR’s DC office on a regular or hybrid schedule. Remote work may be possible for some candidates, with occasional visits to the DC office. The amount of time attorneys spend in the DC office is subject to individual discussion.

This is a full-time, permanent position. CIR is an equal opportunity employer, offering a generous compensation package that includes competitive salary, premium medical and dental insurance, employer-paid retirement contributions, and other attractive benefits. CIR takes pride in its employees and encourages continuous professional growth, a meaningful personal and family life, and the pursuit of other intellectual and creative endeavors.

The projected salary range for this position is $140-180,000 for experienced attorneys with 5-8 years of relevant experience and $180-210,000 for senior litigators with more than 8 years of relevant experience. We are willing to explore higher compensation and title for candidates with exceptional records and experience.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • Why you meet each qualification listed above, why you want a career defending liberty against government overreach, and what makes you ideally suited to the role. The letter should specify if you are willing to work in CIR’s office on a regular basis.
    • Salary requirements.
  • Resume including your educational and professional experience and a list of publications.
  • 10-page writing sample reflecting your original work and demonstrating your best legal analysis and writing abilities, with minimal editing by others or AI.
  • Three professional references.

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Savannah Murphy, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Later stages of our interview process include an additional writing component. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. 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.