The Opportunity
Since 1978, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has achieved scores of precedent-setting legal victories to end discrimination based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and HIV status. Time after time, GLAD has broken through resistance and prejudice to make real progress for transgender rights, family protections and marriage equality, LGBTQ+ youth rights, protections for people living with HIV and much more. GLAD is focused on working at the cutting edge of LGBTQ+ rights, advancing strategies to address discrimination occurring at the intersections of race and LGBTQ+ status, and keeping a close watch on a counter-movement that is fighting hard to roll back critical progress.
We are at a critical moment in our efforts for LGBTQ+ justice, racial justice, and lived equality. The rights of LGBTQ+ people, and transgender individuals in particular, are under attack, as evidenced by the over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills filed in 45 state legislatures this year and efforts by opponents to expand religious exemptions to LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections through a conservative-leaning federal judiciary.
To deepen and expand our legal and advocacy work into our next chapter, GLAD seeks a staff attorney to engage in GLAD’s cutting-edge impact litigation, public policy advocacy, and education. The Staff Attorney will work independently and collaboratively within a team made up of some of the most experienced LGBTQ+ advocates in the movement, and will have the opportunity to be mentored and grow into the next generation of legal advocates and leaders for the LGBTQ+ community.
About the Role
GLAD seeks an attorney with a minimum of 3-7 years of litigation, legal research and writing, and/or policy experience, who has a passion for LGBTQ+ and/or HIV work as well as all related social justice issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community, including racial justice. Reporting to one of the senior directors in the department and working in collaboration with the legal team, the Staff Attorney will handle an active workload of litigation, legislation, and policy issues to advance GLAD’s organizational priorities.
This position presents an opportunity for an emerging legal leader to learn from GLAD’s experienced and intergenerational legal team, helping create and implement strategies using legislation, litigation, policy, and public education to advance justice on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and HIV status, and exemplify commitment to racial justice.
The Staff Attorney works collaboratively with the Legal Department and other GLAD staff to:
Contribute to the legal department's decision-making strategy, help identify and assess matters for impact litigation, and file cases in state and federal court and other disputes.
Serve on litigation teams, including being involved in case and client development, legal research, pleadings and briefs drafting, discovery and motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals.
Support amicus curiae efforts through brief writing and coordination.
Provide technical expertise and support to private litigators and organizations facing complex LGBTQ issues in state and federal courts and government agencies.
Monitor and selectively engage in legal policy and legislative affairs and developments, both in federal law and with respect to the laws and governments of the New England states and nationally, through consultation and collaboration, legal research and drafting, identifying stakeholders and experts, lobbying, and public education.
Provide support for GLAD Answers, GLAD’s legal information and referral service, including by working up legal intakes and providing individual support or legal referrals, where appropriate, to people who seek legal help.
Engage in select legal, community, and stakeholder presentations, events, forums, including information sharing and developing and representing GLAD positions to the media and the public.
Center organizational values, including anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and mutual respect in all work.
Qualifications
J.D. degree and admission to practice law in at least one state in the United States. If not licensed in a New England state, the candidate may also be required to seek admission to a New England state within one year of hire.
Minimum of 3-7 years of litigation, legal research and writing, and/or policy experience who has a passion for LGBTQ+ and/or HIV work as well as all related social justice issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community, including racial justice.
Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and oral communication skills.
Previous litigation experience including motion practice, trial practice and/or appeals.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills in context of client and client development, all aspects of litigation, lobbying or advocacy with government officials, and public persuasion.
Understanding of and commitment to the ways that all forms of discrimination, including racial discrimination, impacts the LGBTQ community and informs our strategies and priorities.
Ability to build mutually respectful and collaborative partnerships with other marginalized communities including communities of color.
Potential for growth and development in skills and expertise as an attorney over time.
Demonstrated ability to work across departments and teams, both internally and externally with diverse stakeholders.
Independence, as well as the ability to work as part of an integrated team.
Other helpful qualifications include:
Knowledge of LGBTQ+ law and/or policy, anti-discrimination, health care, education, family, and/or constitutional law.
Use the Positively Partners portal to apply: https://careers.positivelypartners.org/jobs/3379129-glad-staff-attorney?...
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