Counsel, Reproductive Rights & Health-Refusals of Care, Religious Exemption & Sex Discrimination

The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Counsel to join the Reproductive Rights and Health (RRH) team who will focus on legal research and writing about refusals of care, religious exemptions, and sex discrimination. The Counsel position will develop expertise on these issues to support the team’s legal and policy work to protect and expand access to reproductive health care. This is a full-time, term-limited two-year position.

 The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.

For almost 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org.

 Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting legal and policy analysis of federal legislative and administrative policies and proposals;
  • Undertaking legal and policy research;
  • Developing expertise and helping shape NWLC’s legal theories about the scope, meaning, and interplay between federal statutes and recent Supreme Court cases;
  • Drafting legal memoranda and other written materials for various stakeholders, including the RRH team, coalition partners, and policymakers;
  • Drafting fact sheets, issue briefs, blogs, and other advocacy materials;
  • Working in close coordination with key Center staff, including others on the RRH team, the Research Team, and the Marketing and Communications Team, to strategically and collectively further the Center’s RRH work;
  • Contributing to the Reproductive Rights and Health team’s broader work;
  • Representing the Center at public events, conferences, and coalition meetings as needed.

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

  • A law degree and admission to a state bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted;
  • A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience working on advocacy, research, policy formulation, or analysis;
  • Outstanding legal research, writing, and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct complex legal analyses and develop creative legal arguments;
  • A demonstrated ability to write clearly, effectively, and persuasively;
  • Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail;
  • A collaborative and collegial approach to work, an ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members;
  • Demonstrated commitment to working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color in their approach to work and executing key responsibilities;
  • A commitment to the mission of the Center, including improving access to contraception and abortion and promoting equity and justice in health care.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

  • Knowledge of sex discrimination law, religious exemptions, and/or Supreme Court precedent, including First and Fourteenth Amendment case law;
  • Knowledge of reproductive rights, health, and justice issues.

Key Relationships

The Counsel will report directly to the Director of Federal Abortion Policy Initiatives and will work closely with other staff on the RRH team focused on federal issues related to refusals of care and sex discrimination, as well as other members of the RRH team. May have supervisory opportunities with interns.

Compensation & Benefits

A minimum salary of $73,913 will be provided to the successful candidate who has at least 2 years of experience directly relevant to this roleconsistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework which is a scale based on relevant experience.

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C., with our office located in historic Dupont Circle. However, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, all NWLC staff are temporarily working remotely. We continue to monitor public health guidance and keep safety, science, and flexibility top of mind as we evaluate what reopening looks like for our team.

Classification

NWLC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in NWLC’s bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please forward a cover letter and resume outlining your interests and qualifications. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment. Please send application materials via e-mail to [email protected] and include the position title in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce.  We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans. 

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at [email protected].