Legal Counsel, Public Policy

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Location: Lansdowne, VA; Dallas, TX

Team Overview

The Legal Counsel, Public Policy position promotes ADF's strategic objectives through education and advocacy efforts that involve direct government action. As an alliance builder, the Legal Counsel will support outreach and coordination with allies focused on government, legislative, and policy issues, with a joint focus on both federal and state legislative efforts. The Legal Counsel will serve on the government affairs team that manages legislative review and education initiatives.

Additionally, the Legal Counsel will work closely with the Center for Free Speech and the Global Censorship Group on legislative strategies that advance each team's goals and objectives. This position will focus on providing legal counsel on legislation and policies regarding free speech, government censorship from both domestic and foreign sources, private sector censorship (online censorship, censorship via professional associations and licensing entities), state/private censorship collusion, artificial intelligence, and strategies to protect speech and expression in tech, online, financial services, and throughout the business/professional sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Advocate for and coordinate support of ADF’s positions on governmental policies and legislation, with a primary focus on free speech; government censorship from domestic and foreign sources; private‑sector censorship (including online platforms, professional associations, and licensing entities); and strategies to protect speech and expression across technology, online environments, financial services, essential services, and corporate/professional sectors.
• Conduct research and analysis on current federal and state court precedents relevant to legislative and policy issues.
• Draft legislation, model policies, and policy recommendations related to free speech, censorship prevention, and the protection of speech and expression across digital, technological, financial, and professional domains.
• Travel extensively to meet with, brief, and educate lawmakers on legislation, policy proposals, and legal implications.
• Assist in the development of testimony, position papers, reports, and other advocacy materials.
• Provide frequent in‑person and virtual legislative testimony on the legal ramifications of proposed or existing legislation.
• Review, track, analyze, and report on federal and state legislative activity.
• Travel extensively to engage with policy organizations, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to discuss policy strategy and effective approaches to legislative advocacy and public engagement.
• Cultivate, strengthen, and maintain effective working relationships with key government officials, policy leaders, and aligned partners.
• Represent ADF in public forums, including speaking engagements with the media and large audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with team members across ADF and with external allies to advance shared legislative and policy goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, J.D., and licensed to practice law.
• 1-5 years of experience in public policy advocacy, governmental relations/affairs, or legislative work at the federal or state level.

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and growth. While we do not disclose specific salary ranges, our compensation is competitive with top non-profit law firms. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

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