Public Policy Litigation & Law Department (“PPL&L”) represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in policy matters that affect the mission of the organization. PPL&L seeks applicants for the position of Senior Staff Attorney. This role can be located in NYC, Washington, D.C., or remote. If in NYC or DC, PPFA operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least 2 days per week in the office. If telecommuter, this role will require periodic travel to NYC and/or D.C. in addition to other work-related travel.  This position reports to a Senior Director in PPL&L.

The Senior Staff Attorney’s primary responsibilities will revolve around conducting and supervising significant and high-visibility litigation on behalf of PPFA or Planned Parenthood affiliates and providing legal advice to PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates about legal issues such as pending legislation, regulatory matters, and activities of those opposed to Planned Parenthood that interfere with our ability to provide comprehensive reproductive health care.

 

●The Senior Staff Attorney will work closely with the members of the L&L team, as well as with affiliate leadership and staff; other PPFA colleagues; coalition partners; and outside counsel.

●The Senior Staff Attorney will conduct litigation in state and federal courts across the country.

●The Senior Staff Attorney may also be engaged in work related to pending legislation and regulatory matters; advising clients in navigating a rapidly shifting post-Roe environment, including by working closely with operational and clinical personnel both at PPFA and at affiliates; and coordinating with internal and external partners on litigation and related strategies, among other responsibilities.

●The Senior Staff Attorney will also support the career development of Staff Attorneys, Associate Staff Attorneys, interns, and paralegals and contribute to PPL&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

●Required Qualifications:

○Law degree.

○Seven to fourteen years of legal practice.

○Strong research and writing skills.

○Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and to diversity, equity, and inclusion across differences in race, ethnicity, religion, ability, cultural background, socioeconomic circumstance, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation.

○Established interest in public interest work, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and/or impact litigation is a plus, but not mandatory.

●Many different litigation career paths can develop skills that are valuable for the Senior Staff Attorney role; candidates are not expected to have experience in all aspects of the position. Experience in reproductive rights is not a requirement. Relevant skills and experience include:

○Trial court and/or appellate drafting and argument experience

○Experience working in a coalition and/or with co-counsel for multiple organizational clients

○Managing discovery, including document production and depositions

○Working with fact and expert witnesses including in preparation for deposition and trial testimony

○Criminal defense and/or prosecutorial experience

○Advising clients on compliance and risk mitigation issues

○Reproductive justice work

○Communications work in connection with litigation

○Work on amicus briefs or strategy

○Mentoring or supervising more junior attorneys or other colleagues

 

Travel: 0-10% domestic travel

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, and legal writing sample at the following link: Ideally, the writing sample would be an unedited memo, brief, or draft opinion addressing a complex legal issue, but we understand that the nature of the sample will vary according to your work experience. Please also include information on whether and to what extent the sample was edited by anyone other than you. Feel free to submit your initial application without a writing sample and add your sample at a later date.

 

We intend to fill several positions and applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible. 

$130,000 - $160,000 a year

Total offer package to include generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays, individual/family provided medical, dental and vision benefits effective day 1, life insurance, short/long term disability, paid family leave and 401k. We also offer voluntary opt-in for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Transportation/Commuter accounts.   

We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  We're committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

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*PDN-HR

All roles that are denoted as NYC, DC, or both will be on a hybrid schedule, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office.