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Counsel/Senior Counsel, Education & Workplace Justice (LGBTQ Rights)
The Position
The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Counsel/Senior Counsel for the Education & Workplace Justice team to forward the Center’s work on LGBTQ equality and otherwise support the Center’s work advocating to promote gender justice in schools and the workplace, including a particular focus on women and girls of color and women in low-wage jobs. The Counsel’s work will be centered on efforts to protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals at work and at school using a variety of legal and advocacy strategies and engaging in public education efforts. Potential areas of focus include advocating for passage of the Equality Act and otherwise seeking to strengthen protections against discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity through legislative and regulatory initiatives; defending against anti-trans policies in state legislatures and at the federal level; seeking to limit the use of religion as a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, women, and girls; and other projects as assigned.
About 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.
Responsibilities
- Engage in advocacy before Congress, state legislatures, and relevant administrative agencies;
- Provide technical assistance to state and federal partners;
- Represent NWLC in coalitions and at external meetings with other stakeholders to identify and advance policy goals;
- Research and analyze policy and legal issues and draft a variety of written materials for a variety of audiences, such as memos, fact sheets, reports, know your rights and other outreach materials, and blog posts;
- Represent clients in negotiations and litigation;
- Develop, help draft, and edit amicus briefs;
- In collaboration with the broader Education & Workplace Justice team, help shape program strategies and priorities;
- Monitor relevant legal trends in the Supreme Court and lower courts;
- Represent the Center in the press and in public speaking opportunities;
- Assist in the supervision of interns/externs and fellows;
- Using project management strategies, work in close coordination with key Center staff, including others on the Education & Workplace Justice team, the Research team, and the Communications team, to strategically and collectively further the Center’s work;
- Contribute to the Education & Workplace Justice team’s broader work;
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
A 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 work experience for Counsel and 5 years minimum for Senior Counsel;
- Experience working on workplace policy issues, educational justice issues, LGBTQ issues, or antidiscrimination law;
- Strong analytical, oral, and written communications skills;
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color and/or LGBTQ communities in their approach to work;
- Willingness to travel approximately 5-10% of time;
- A commitment to the mission of the Center.
Additional preferred skills and knowledge:
- Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-based, multi-tasking environment;
- Experience or familiarity with Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 and/or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Key Relationships
This Counsel will report directly to the Director of Justice for Student Survivors but will work on workplace justice related matters and cross-cutting LGBTQ legal issues as well and thus will collaborate closely with other Ed & Workplace Justice team members, including the Legal Director on litigation related and other tasks. May have supervisory opportunities with interns.
Compensation & Benefits
A minimum salary of $78,453 will be provided to the successful candidate who has at least 2 years (a minimum salary $88,100 for candidate who has at least 5 years) of experience directly relevant to this role, consistent 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, please submit a resume and a cover letter to [email protected] Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment. In your cover letter, please describe how your professional background is a good fit for this position. Electronic submissions are preferred. 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 [email protected].