Counsel/Senior Counsel, Judiciary Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to court reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them—in the courts, in Congress and the states, and in the court of public opinion. 

Position Overview 
The Brennan Center seeks a Counsel or Senior Counsel to join the Center’s Judiciary Program, which works to realize a fair and inclusive judicial system that protects fundamental rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. Reporting to the Director, Judiciary Program, the position’s primary focus will be advancing reform of the U.S. Supreme Court, including Supreme Court term limits and ethics reform, through policy research and writing, legislative advocacy, organizing events and convenings, and leading and partnering with coalitions.  

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City or in our Washington, D.C. office and may require travel. 

Responsibilities may include: 

• Engage in federal and other policy advocacy, including lobbying. 

• Lead and partner with coalitions and engage in coalition and network-building, including organizing convenings and scholarly symposia.  

• Provide intellectual leadership on Supreme Court reform, including through white papers, reports, and scholarship. 

• Produce legal and policy research. 

• Regularly engage with scholars and scholarship on the Supreme Court and court reform.  

• Advance organizational goals through media and public communications, including opinion pieces, blog posts, media appearances, and participation in conferences.  

• Represent the Brennan Center among key stakeholders, such as government officials, allies, and donors. 

• Help supervise and mentor legal and non-legal staff. 

• Contribute to a productive and collegial work within the Judiciary team and across departments, including administration, recruitment, communications, and development. 

• Other projects and duties as relevant. 

Qualifications: 
Required. The position requires a J.D. and admission to the New York State Bar or Washington, D.C. Bar, depending on office location. If you are admitted to a Bar for a state other than the office where you are located, you must be eligible to practice or apply for admission waiver to that state's Bar within 6 months of hire. 

Ideal. The ideal candidate will have some combination of the following experiences and qualifications. We recognize that many excellent candidates may not have all these experiences and qualifications and we will provide support for the successful candidate to acquire additional skills. 

• A minimum of five years of legal experience, including any clerkships. Both mid- and senior- level candidates are encouraged to apply.  

• A commitment to civil rights and racial equity.  

• Excellent legal research and analysis skills. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Strong ability and desire to write for legal, policy, academic, and public audiences. 

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment. 

• A creative, problem-solving mindset with demonstrated ability to turn ideas into products or actions. 

• Experience in the legislative, political campaign, governmental, or nonprofit advocacy sectors.  

• Familiarity with the current needs and opportunities for reform of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization, and openness to feedback. 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true-self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 

To Apply: To apply, please visit >>THIS LINK<< and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references.  No phone calls or faxes. Please reference where you saw this posting. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. 

We prefer applications to be submitted through our website. If you have difficulty uploading these items as one document, e-mail them to [email protected] with “Counsel/Senior Counsel, Judiciary Program” in the subject line. 

Compensation and Benefits:   
This is a scaled position. The salary assigned for the scale is $118,500- $185,800 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. Each salary in the scale is determined by the number of years of professional experience after graduation from law school of the selected candidate. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.    

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.   

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption. 

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

• Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
• Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
• Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
• Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
• Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.