Senior State Law and Legislative Counsel

Alliance for Justice (AFJ)

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of over 140 organizations representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society.

AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy program builds progressive power by providing nonprofit advocates with the training, technical assistance, and resources they need to comply with the federal and state laws associated with nonprofit advocacy. Bolder Advocacy is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process.

Bolder Advocacy’s legal experts help organizations move from cautious to courageous across lobbying, election-related activity, ballot measures, grantmaking, and other efforts necessary to change the world. Under AFJ’s new strategic plan, Bolder Advocacy is prioritizing grassroots power-building by focusing its efforts on designing new resources for grassroots groups and connecting with organizations working in community to advance positive policy change.

AFJ is headquartered in Washington, DC, with remote staff in Texas, California, New York, and elsewhere. For more information about Alliance for Justice, please visit www.afj.org.

Job Purpose

The Senior State Law & Legislative Counsel, as a part of AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy team, will:

• Provide training, technical assistance, and write plain language legal guides.
• Engage in a variety of communications with nonprofit and foundation staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Help organizations understand their rights and abilities to advocate, lobby, engage in election-related activities, and fund advocacy.
• Lead the management and development of AFJ’s state law resources, including the Practical Guidance Series.
• Engage in legislative and executive branch advocacy to protect the rights and abilities of nonprofits to pursue policy change and boost civic engagement.

This position can be based in AFJ’s Washington, DC office, or the Senior Counsel can work remotely if located in another state.

Qualified attorneys from all 50 states and DC are welcome to apply. The employee will be expected to regularly participate in and travel to in-person workshops and other work-related events. This position reports to the Bolder Advocacy Program Director.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Stay updated on federal tax and election law for tax-exempt organizations.
• Stay updated on state lobbying disclosure, ballot measure, and campaign finance law in their jurisdiction.
• Stay updated on local lobbying disclosure ordinances and other local advocacy laws.
• Manage State Practical Guidance series and relevant state law resources.
• Track and monitor changes to state-level lobby, election, and campaign finance laws.
• Ensure state law resources are updated regularly.
• Identify local counsel in all 50 states who can serve as experts when complex state-law questions arise.
• Convey relevant federal, state, and local laws to a non-legal audience.
• Provide technical assistance to nonprofits, AFJ member organizations, and foundations.
• Plan, conduct, and travel for nonprofit training on advocacy laws (both in-person and virtual).
• Lead policy advocacy efforts, including lobbying, to protect nonprofit rights.
• Draft briefs, talking points, explainer memos, regulatory comments, statutory language, or amicus briefs.
• Testify in front of legislative committees and communicate with public officials.
• Work with Communications and Outreach & Membership teams to advance BA’s policy goals.
• Write thought leadership pieces such as articles, op-eds, and blog posts.
• Develop new legal resources and training curricula.
• Train and mentor BA team members.
• Represent the organization at conferences and nonprofit gatherings.
• Network and build relationships with nonprofits and foundations.
• Attend AFJ member meetings and provide legal guidance.
• Develop customized training programs as needed.
• Learn and conduct training on BA’s Advocacy Capacity Tools.
• Support AFJ Action’s (AFJ’s 501(c)(4) affiliate) activities when needed.
• Collaborate with other AFJ programs.
• Manage grants and contracts, ensuring deliverables are met and funder relationships maintained.

Qualifications

• Law degree and bar membership in at least one state.
• At least ten years of legal experience or legal advocacy working with nonprofit organizations (or three years as a Bolder Advocacy Counsel).
• Commitment to social justice causes.
• Solid understanding of nonprofit operations and advocacy.
• Strong networking and communications skills.
• Experience conducting training programs and public speaking.
• Experience working with coalitions and community organizing groups.
• Ability to provide technical assistance and legal guidance.
• Extensive experience drafting legal resources.
• Mastery of federal nonprofit advocacy laws.
• Experience in policy advocacy and thought leadership.
• Ability to monitor emerging trends and legislation.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit advocacy campaigns at the local, state, or federal level.
• Experience handling federal or state compliance for nonprofit advocacy organizations.
• Proficiency in a non-English language (oral and written) is a plus.
• Ability to draft legal resources in a non-English language or supervise translations.

Physical Demands

• Regular use of a computer and communication tools.
• Occasional travel by train, airplane, or other transportation for work-related events.
• Ability to work long hours when needed.
• Reasonable accommodations available.

Work Environment

• Full-time position with occasional evening and weekend hours.
• No direct supervisory responsibilities.
• AFJ’s non-management staff are unionized under the Baltimore-Washington News Guild, CWA Local 32035.

Compensation

• Union position covered under a collective bargaining agreement.
• Group 6 starting salary: $125,000 – $131,000.
• Full benefits, including:
  • Health: Medical, dental, vision, and employee assistance program.
  • Retirement: Employer-matching 401K plan.
  • Time Off: Generous paid time off policy.
  • Family Leave: Up to 16 weeks of parental leave and other paid/unpaid family leave programs.
  • Other Benefits: Flexible spending account, dependent care, life and disability insurance, and commuter benefits.

Job Location

• Remote: If Senior Counsel resides outside the Washington, DC region.
• DC-based: Required to work in the office 1+ day/week.

Racial Equity

AFJ is committed to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into our work, and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AFJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Discrimination and harassment are prohibited based on any legally protected characteristics.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should reference Bolder Advocacy Senior Counsel in the subject line and submit:

• A letter of interest
• Resume
• Writing sample

No phone calls, please.

For reasonable accommodations during the hiring process, email [email protected].