Deputy General Counsel/Assistant General Counsel

Description

AAP is seeking applications from experienced attorneys to join its Washington, DC team. As the trade organization for the U.S. publishing industry, AAP is at the cutting edge of legal and public policy developments that drive and protect the industry’s lawful dissemination of creative and intellectual expression through print books, audiobooks, ebooks, and digital platforms. This position is not entry-level.

AAP’s members invest in and publish a vast array of the world’s most popular, important, and critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, as well as sophisticated education course materials and scholarly research journals across thousands of disciplines. Our expert work centers on copyright protections for publishers and authors, competitive online markets, and freedom of expression. We are especially focused on legal issues pertaining to the training and licensing of works for Generative AI uses.

Typical Portfolio

The incumbent will report to the General Counsel and support industry-level work as well as internal client needs pertaining to compliance and contracts and will have ample touchpoints with AAP’s member companies, policy coalitions, and professional networks. Typical work may include the following:

• Advising on litigation and public policy strategies
• Conducting legal research and analysis on complex issues
• Drafting briefs, policy documents, and regulatory submissions
• Testifying or participating in government proceedings
• Representing the AAP in industry coalitions and events
• Partnering with or supporting staff colleagues on their respective projects

Expectations and Experience

The incumbent should be able to develop and execute—critically and creatively—legal strategies, advice, analysis, and insights at a high level. A successful candidate should be highly motivated to protect and promote the American publishing industry, which has been essential to democracy and human empowerment for more than two centuries and today drives creative content, learning platforms, and information analytics around the world.

Interested candidates will have had rigorous legal training with substantial experience working on litigation, legislation/regulations, and/or complex transactions. Exceptional written and oral advocacy and communication skills are a must. Substantive knowledge in one or more of the key areas of AAP’s practice is preferred, including copyright, First Amendment, antitrust/competition law, and education policy.

Interested candidates should have a JD degree from an accredited law school and be admitted or eligible to practice law. Candidates with at least five years of relevant experience will be considered for the Assistant Legal Counsel position; candidates with more than eight years of relevant experience will be considered for the Deputy General Counsel position. Salary and title will be commensurate with experience.

Projected salary: $170,000 – $250,000.

About AAP

AAP represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, including large, small, commercial, and not-for-profit houses. Our principal mission is to advocate for outcomes that incentivize and protect the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions in the modern world. AAP delivers high-quality advocacy for its member companies while providing a stimulating but balanced work environment for its small team.

More information is available at www.publishers.org.

Applications

Applications will be accepted on a confidential basis until the position is filled. To be considered, you must send both a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please put “Counsel” in the subject line of your email.

AAP values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

We offer a competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Generous vacation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• A matching retirement plan
• A telework program