You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for, and 3+ years’ experience in, administrative law or civil litigation. You find and win cutting-edge civil rights cases across the country. You will become a national spokesperson for separation of powers—you will speak at conferences, engage the media, and publish scholarship on the structural protections of the Constitution, agency abuse, and the proper role of government. You will fight the administrative state. You are a leader who will elevate PLF attorneys to be the best litigators in the nation. You have a demonstrated dedication to public interest law and civil rights throughout your career.
Them: Federal and state agencies that are abusing their power and stripping Americans of their rights every day. There’s no shortage of agencies that ignore the constitutional separation of powers. But fortunately, like all lumbering giants, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other’s backs, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers we employ in spades here at PLF.
Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 14 victories out of 16 litigated at the Court, and THREE cases currently pending before the Court this term. We also have more than a hundred active cases across the nation.
We are a next-generation public interest law firm. What does “next generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.
Here’s what you get to do in this role:
You will generate and lead high-profile cases in PLF’s Separation of Powers Program. PLF’s separation of powers litigation is unparalleled. We’ve won multiple cases before the Supreme Court, guaranteeing individuals their day in court when faced with ruinous fines or even criminal liability. In the past year alone, our Separation of Powers litigators have won cases: wholly eliminating agency deference in Ohio, enjoining a federal minimum-wage regulation, and stopping the FTC from exceeding its authority. You will find and win the next important Supreme Court case enforcing individuals’ rights through the Constitution’s structural protections. Your ideas will help shape PLF strategy by identifying and litigating emerging separation of powers theories. And you will be recognized as a nationwide leader on administrative and constitutional law: giving speeches, attending conferences, appearing on radio and television, and publishing op-eds and scholarly articles on these issues.
You will work on teams with junior and senior attorneys, providing your expertise and knowledge and elevating the talent and skill of our attorneys. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. You will be at the forefront of shaping the enforcement of the Constitution for all Americans.
In a nutshell, we’re seeking someone who’s passionate about liberty, the Constitution, and administrative law, someone who is confident and magnanimous, and someone who is a bold and relentless freedom fighter.
Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include:
- Finding, developing, litigating—and winning—important separation of powers cases
- Advocating for separation of powers both philosophically and practically; speaking with organizations, trade groups, academia, and media to advance PLF’s strategic goals
- A deep knowledge of the moral and constitutional basis for the Constitution’s structural protections is a huge plus
- Writing persuasive pieces for both scholarly and lay audiences
- Drafting op-eds, journal articles, and blog posts
- Leading other attorneys into battle and helping to set the agenda of the next years of PLF’s separation of powers program.
This role is ideal for someone with:
- Three+ years of experience litigating administrative law and/or civil rights cases
- A track record of successful litigation
- Outstanding interpersonal communications skills
- Knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
- Willingness to travel approximately 15%, though this will vary based on the specific circumstances of the role
General Information
Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion.
As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff work from home offices across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually.
This is a full-time, permanent position. PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide, and we offer a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, medical and dental insurance, and employer-paid retirement savings. We take work-life balance seriously through our generous paid leave and flextime policies. We have a flexible, collaborative, positive, and collegial work environment. We take pride in investing in your future and encourage internal advancement. PLF is the place for someone principled, tenacious, and determined to succeed in positively shaping the future of our country and restoring real limits on government power. Join us.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials as a single PDF:
- Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
- A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected]
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 entity 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.
