Legal Analyst

Legal Analyst, Oversight and Strategic Initiatives

Democracy Forward seeks a highly collaborative and experienced lawyer to join its Oversight and Strategic Initiatives team, helping track, analyze, and combat legal doctrines and policy changes that harm communities and undermine democracy and self-governance. The Senior Legal Analyst will lead Democracy Forward’s research and data collection of litigation, legislation, and other legal attacks challenging a range of doctrines across administrative law and civil rights. Based on developments and trends identified through this tracking, the Senior Legal Analyst will work with staff across the organization to identify opportunities for Democracy Forward engagement, to develop timely analysis, and to support Democracy Forward’s collaborations with key advocates, stakeholders, media, and other partners.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in legal research and writing; experience with policy, research, and data; and most importantly a passion for Democracy Forward’s mission. 

Responsibilities 

• Conduct initial legal analysis of nascent and fast-moving issues and coordinate with the legal team to identify potential opportunities for legal engagement including through intervention, amicus briefs, or thought partnerships 
• Lead efforts to track and summarize legal doctrines, related  litigation, legislation, and other legal developments and trends in far-right attacks on progressive legal doctrine/in the courts
• Provide regular legal updates through case briefings for internal team as well as during updates to partner organizations and trainings for external stakeholders 
• Draft policy papers, interested parties memos, and other products that explain complicated legal issues for a broad range of audiences
• Work with DF’s legal, policy, and communications staff to maintain timely, accurate, and robust information about legal and policy trends across a range of progressive issues  
• Collaborate with teams across the organization to develop analysis and synthesis of data and emerging trends to inform legal and communication strategies
• Stay informed of current events and the legal landscape related to pro-equity issues in the United States, with a particular focus on jurisprudential developments
• Stay informed of Democracy Forward’s current and prior work 
• Support efforts to collaborate and develop partnerships that enhance and strengthen Democracy Forward’s impact, including those seeking to understand trends regarding the attacks on DEI in the legal and policy landscape 

Qualifications

• 2-5 years experience with legal analysis (must include 1+ year working as a litigator or clerking or 2+ years managing dockets in federal civil cases (e.g., paralegaling))
• JD required
• Familiarity and comfort with court filings and procedure
• Demonstrated experience with legal, policy, and media databases and tools, including Westlaw, Docket Alarm, and PACER  
• Experience managing data projects and research functions 

• Experience analyzing a significant volume of court decisions and litigation documents in a timely and accurate manner
• Background in or understanding of a range of administrative and civil rights rulings and doctrines
• Experience researching federal legislation, agency actions, and other forms of policy to augment the doctrinal analysis
• Experience presenting updates to internal and external stakeholders 
• Litigation experience in federal civil cases 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including translating dense doctrinal language into understandable prose for diverse audiences
• Experience working in coalition with colleagues in partner civil rights and related organizations
• Experience working on teams in a collaborative structure
• Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities and be nimble and flexible in response to fast-moving threats
• Ability to process large amounts of information with limited oversight
• Attention to detail 
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and communication skills
• Excellent writing skills 
• A commitment to Democracy Forward’s values of excellence, inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and impact. 
• Demonstrated commitment to democracy and social progress 

The salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

Democracy Forward is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.