Position Summary:
Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is seeking attorneys with criminal and congressional investigations experience to join our team. The ideal candidates will have experience with:
•Criminal investigations, including grand jury or other law enforcement investigations
•Congressional investigations, including the use of congressional subpoenas
•Criminal and civil litigation, including courtroom advocacy, witness presentations, and motions practice
•Client development and coalition partnerships
The position will focus on conducting criminal defense and enforcement representations, including state and federal law enforcement or grand jury investigations, congressional investigations, and litigation. The position may also include advocacy or civil litigation on anti-corruption enforcement and prevention issues.
This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter.
This role will report to the Co-Directors of Anti-Corruption Initiatives and Senior Counsel and work closely with all staff across the legal team.
Key Responsibilities:
Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.
•Serve as lead or co-counsel in criminal proceedings in federal and state courts, including advising clients on litigation strategy, risks, and objectives, and carrying out all aspects of the client’s defense through investigation, prosecution, and appeal. This includes representing clients in state and federal investigations or prosecutions defended entirely by Democracy Forward Foundation attorneys or co-counseling with law firms or other entities.
•Assist in representing Democracy Forward Foundation clients in civil litigation that involves criminal or criminal-adjacent matters. This includes consulting on any criminal issues arising in Democracy Forward Foundation’s civil litigation portfolio and representing and advising clients subject to state and federal civil enforcement investigations and actions.
•Represent clients in congressional investigations, including litigating and responding to congressional subpoenas and preparing witnesses for depositions or hearing testimony.
•Participate in anti-corruption initiatives, including affirmative investigation, litigation, and legal advocacy to secure the honest services of public officials, protect civil rights, expose and deter government self-dealing, and protect election integrity, among other issues.
•Work with partners from a wide range of public interest spheres, including non-profits, local governments, small businesses, unions, and individuals, to develop, litigate, and raise awareness of Democracy Forward Foundation’s legal work. This includes building relationships with potential clients and other partners and supporting coalition development.
•Contribute affirmatively to a workplace culture of inclusion and equity.
Qualifications:
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.
Required:
•J.D. from an accredited law school.
•Active membership in good standing in the bar of the District of Columbia, or membership in good standing in another state bar with the ability to become admitted in D.C.
•For Senior Counsel positions, we require at least 7 years of relevant experience post-law school, ideally some of which will have been on behalf of or against federal or state governments and/or advocating for clients in criminal or congressional investigations.
•Demonstrated experience in criminal representation and investigations.
•Familiarity with legal doctrines applicable to criminal litigation.
•Demonstrated excellence in performing legal research and drafting legal documents (including court filings such as complaints, dispositive motions, and appeals, and/or regulatory filings such as comments and petitions for rulemaking), in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner. Excellent writing ability is a plus.
•Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully on a team of attorney and staff professionals in a relatively flat hierarchical structure.
•Ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments and meet deadlines; must be able to work well both independently and in a team environment.
•Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them.
•Ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients and partner organizations, including initiating new relationships, developing and managing coalitions.
•Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
•This role may require occasional travel for client matters, conferences, or organizational meetings.
•This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.
Democracy Forward provides a competitive, lockstep and transparent compensation and benefits package. The salary ranges for these positions are:
•Senior Counsel - $175,000 - $230,000
•Counsel - $155,000 - $165,000
•Senior Staff Attorney - $135,000 - $145,000
Democracy Forward Foundation 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; LGBTQIA+ 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.
Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please email accommodations@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.