Legal Fellow, Reproductive Rights and Health Litigation

The Position The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Legal Fellow focused on litigation to join the Reproductive Rights and Health team. The Fellow will support litigation efforts across the Reproductive Rights and Health team’s program areas. This is a full-time, one-year term limited position. This is an exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

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 more than 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 may include, but are not limited to:

• Engaging in and supporting all aspects of civil litigation relating to reproductive rights and access to health care, including: helping to develop new cases; conducting legal research and drafting legal memoranda; interviewing potential witnesses and clients; coordinating with experts; drafting pleadings, briefs, and declarations; and participating in discovery, motion practice, trials, and appeals;
• Drafting and helping to coordinate amicus briefs in litigation affecting reproductive rights and health;
• Conducting legal analyses, consulting with other Center staff, and drafting advocacy materials related to administrative and legislative policy priorities that interact with ongoing or future litigation;
• Filing administrative complaints;
• Drafting fact sheets, issue briefs, blogs, and other written materials;
• Maintaining relationships with clients, impacted individuals and organizations, and coalition partners;
• Representing the Center at public events, conferences, and coalition meetings as needed.
• Travel to court appearances, conferences, and other meetings and events (travel estimated to be approximately 5-10% of time).

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;
• Outstanding legal research and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct complex legal analyses;
• A demonstrated ability to write and to speak clearly, effectively, and persuasively;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail;
• Ability to take initiative and perform at a high level with grace under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment;
• 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;
• Willingness to ask questions and to give and receive feedback;
• A demonstrated commitment to centering diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities; and
• A commitment to the mission of the Center, including improving access to reproductive health care and promoting equity and justice in health care.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of and/or experience with civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII, and other applicable laws;
• Knowledge of and/or experience with constitutional litigation;
• Knowledge of and/or experience with Administrative Procedure Act litigation;
• Knowledge of and/or experience with reproductive rights, health, and justice issues.

Key Relationships The Legal Fellow for litigation will report directly to a Senior Litigation Counsel and will work closely with staff across the Reproductive Rights and Health Team, as well as with the Campaign and Digital Strategies and Research teams. The Litigation Fellow may have supervisory opportunities with legal interns.

Compensation & Benefits A salary within the range of $85,490-$93,967 will be provided to the successful candidate with 0 to 4+ years of experience, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. The successful candidate’s salary within this range will be determined by the number years of relevant experience they bring to the role.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C. at our new office at 1350 Eye Street N.W. This role is based in D.C. and will be eligible for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis. The successful candidate will need to live in or relocate to the DMV (broadly defined as DC, Maryland, or Virgina).

The first 90 days of employment will be considered a probationary period.

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 submit a resume, cover letter outlining your interests and qualifications, 5–10 page legal writing sample, and three references. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment. 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.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Reasonable Accommodations If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email NWLCHR@nwlc.org.