Managing Counsel

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative Managing Counsel to join our legal team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington. This position is a unique opportunity to be on the front lines of the fight for a more ethical, accountable, and open government, while working alongside smart, dedicated, and kind people.

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog, CREW is dedicated to preserving our democratic institutions, defending the rule of law, rooting out government misconduct and corruption, and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a creative, driven attorney with extensive case management experience who is committed to our mission and values. We welcome diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences.

Role Summary:

The Managing Counsel will play a key role in setting, tracking, and executing on CREW’s litigation priorities and will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Counsel and the President. The Managing Counsel will develop and handle their own strategic impact litigation and pre-litigation work (case formulation and strategy, outreach, drafting, court appearances, and related advocacy), and assist in managing litigation as needed.

The ideal candidate for this role is a litigator with at least 12 years of experience and subject-matter expertise on government and regulatory litigation, administrative law, constitutional law, and/or election law. The candidate should be a self-starter with entrepreneurial legal instincts, deep legal networks in their areas of expertise, experience managing teams of attorneys and support staff on complex litigation, and a track record of successfully developing and leading impact litigation.

The Managing Counsel will report to the Chief Counsel, and will help oversee and work closely with a team of six litigators, two legal fellows, and two paralegals. The position is based in Washington, D.C. with hybrid work options potentially available.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, influence, drive, and lead strategic impact litigation and related advocacy focused on promoting accountability, transparency, and ethics in government, preserving our democratic institutions, and defending the rule of law.
• Perform and oversee core litigation tasks including legal research; fact development; identifying and working with clients and witnesses; drafting pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda; participating in and managing discovery; and conducting motion hearings (including motions for emergency relief), evidentiary hearings, and oral arguments in trial and appellate courts.
• Support organizational leadership as a first-level reviewer in supervising and monitoring litigation and related advocacy, mentoring and training attorneys and paralegals, aiding with skills development, and improving internal organizational processes.
• Drawing on existing legal networks, identify and develop opportunities to collaborate with partner organizations, pro bono law firms, and potential clients on new litigation matters.
• Drawing on existing legal networks, develop, build, and foster relationships with partner organizations, advocates, pro bono law firms, potential clients, academics, and other potential litigation collaborators
• Participate in public speaking opportunities, including at conferences and with the media.
• Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and other public engagements
• Collaborate with staff across the organization—including policy, communications, and research professionals—to support legal and advocacy strategies, and to help translate complex legal issues for wider audiences.

Qualifications:

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet each and every qualification listed below.

• J.D. required
• Admitted or eligible to waive in for admission to the D.C. Bar
• 12+ years of substantive litigation experience (including clerkships and fellowships)
• Experience managing teams of attorneys and support staff in complex litigation matters, communicating agendas and priorities, and coordinating with external partners
• Substantial experience litigating on behalf of or against governments (federal or state)
• Substantial experience working independently to develop plaintiff-side impact litigation
• Deep expertise in one or more of the following areas: administrative law, constitutional law, privacy and data security laws, federal civil service laws, public records laws, or election law
• Deep legal networks in areas of expertise
• Experience mentoring, training, and supporting junior staff members
• Experience building and managing partner and client relationships
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment

Compensation/Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000-$195,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. We are always working to improve our benefits program, currently they include:

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits with a $50/month employer contribution
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
• One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long
• Free in-office lunches weekly
Free virtual yoga classes

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How to apply

Please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected] . Please include your last name and “Managing Counsel” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.