Senior Policy Counsel

Democracy Forward seeks a highly collaborative advocate with Hill, legal, and regulatory expertise who will help to execute the organization’s mission of using the law to advance the promise of democracy and social progress in the United States.  This position will support Democracy Forward’s mission to educate the public regarding policy issues affecting democratic values and social progress, including supporting Democracy Forward’s diverse client set and legal and regulatory advocacy work.  The ideal candidate will have experience with a range of progressive issues at the intersection of law and policy, have experience in federal regulatory processes, and have worked on the Hill, and a demonstrated record of working with national, state, and local partner organizations and allies to advance shared goals.  The candidate must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage multiple issues and projects simultaneously.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated record of precise, technical, and persuasive writing and be able to draft policy reports, educational materials, and federal regulatory submissions (comment letters, responses to requests for information, etc.) that advance progressive policies.  The candidate will also demonstrate strategic thinking and have experience working to advance policies that have a positive impact on historically and currently marginalized communities.  The candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice and will seek to advance the organization’s values both internally and externally.  

This position will report to the Director of Policy and will collaborate with all teams in the organization.  

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence of at least eight (8) days per month (averaging about 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role.

• Collaborate with Democracy Forward’s policy, legal, communications, external affairs, and leadership teams to achieve organizational and client goals.  Work closely with Democracy Forward’s Hill stakeholders, partner organizations, and coalitions to support litigation, legal advocacy, regulatory advocacy, and public policy education.  
• Work with the Democracy Forward legal team, under the supervision of the Director of Policy, to conduct research, draft regulatory comments and other governmental submissions, and/or contribute to other legal and regulatory projects.  
• Conduct research on a range of legal and policy issues, including those implicating economic justice, health care access, good government, environmental justice, community empowerment, immigration policies, civil rights, among others. 
• Provide guidance and support on public policy and regulatory advocacy, Hill and partner engagement, and strategic engagement, including through analyzing, reading, interpreting complex legal and policy documents, regulations, and court opinions. 
• Serve as a liaison to other organizations, policy experts, and broader stakeholders to help identify opportunities for strategic regulatory and legal strategies that advance democratic values, social progress, government transparency.  
• Engage in other duties as the organization evolves and grows. 

• Juris Doctorate Degree or equivalent.
• 5-10 years experience on Capitol Hill, preferably as counsel. A minimum of 5 to 10 experience in a similar position, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience engaged in policy and regulatory work engaging with a range of stakeholders and producing a variety of written products, reports, and/or regulatory submissions. 
• Experience working to build coalitions and collaborative relationships among national, regional, and local organizations and stakeholders.  Demonstrated effectiveness in working productively with impacted populations and coalitions. 
• Experience working in policy expert capacities in non-profit organizations, government, or other institutions and the intersection of law and policy. 
• Experience conducting statutory, regulatory, and legislative analysis, legal research and writing, and using legal, regulatory, and policy change tools and awareness of the political landscape. 
• Experience drafting regulatory and/or other legal or governmental submissions. 
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with diplomacy and work effectively and respectfully with diverse organizations, people, and communities. 
• Ability to effectively communicate information, ideas, including in writing and through persuasive public speaking skills.
• Ability to compose precise, effective, and grammatically correct reports, submissions, and correspondence appropriate for the intended audience.
• Adaptable team player with the ability to engage various constituencies in a complex environment.
• Ability to recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in the context of a variety of situations with multiple variables, both predictable and unpredictable.
• Willingness to demonstrate initiative, including pro-actively identifying and addressing issues and making recommendations.
• High attention to detail.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize own work and the work of others.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute affirmatively to a working environment of equity, justice, and inclusion.

The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $160,000, plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Democracy Forward is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.