Separation of Powers Attorney

You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for the separation of powers and liberty. You want to find and win cutting-edge constitutional cases across the country. You want to fight the administrative state. You are a natural leader who will help elevate PLF attorneys to be the best litigators in the nation. 

Them: Federal and state agencies that are abusing their power and stripping Americans of their rights. There’s no shortage of agencies that ignore the Constitution’s separation of powers. But fortunately, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers who work 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 18 victories out of 20 litigated at the Court—including three victories last term. We also have nearly two hundred active cases across the nation. 

We are a next-generation public interest law firm. That 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 practice group. Your ideas will help shape PLF strategy by identifying and litigating emerging separation of powers theories. You will give speeches, appear in media, and publishop-eds and scholarly articles on cutting edge issues in administrative and constitutional law. 

You will work on teams with other top-notch attorneys, applying your skills, knowledge, and passion every day. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. You will be at the leading edge of Constitutional law in America.  

In a nutshell, we’re seeking experienced attorneys to help us continue our legacy of success. You must be passionate about liberty, the Constitution, and fighting the administrative state, confident and magnanimous, and a bold and relentless freedom fighter. 

Your specific job duties will include: 

• Generating and litigating high-impact cases: As an experienced litigator, you will take ownership of established cases while also developing and driving your own. We want confident self-starters who think big and aim high.
• Setting the Agenda: Every attorney on the team helps develop successful strategies so we can keep the victories coming. 
• Advocating for separation of powers: We win in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. You will speak with organizations, trade groups, academics, students and the public to advance our strategic goals. (A deep knowledge of the moral and constitutional basis for the Constitution’s structural protections is a huge plus.)
• Writing persuasively for all audiences: You will write briefs, op-eds, journal articles, blog posts, and more. 

This role is ideal for someone with: 

• 3+ years of experience 
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills
• A knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• A strong work ethic
• A willingness to travel  
• Litigation experience
• A clerkship or work with a state or federal agency  

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.  

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.  

Salary Range and Benefits:  

To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply. 

To apply:

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

• 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 
• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• A legal writing sample