Legal Counsel, Center for Life

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please visit www.adflegal.org/about-us/careers to view our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives.

Legal Counsel, Center for Life

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly professional Legal Counsel, Center for Life to join us in our Scottsdale, AZ Office or Lansdowne, VA Office. As Legal Counsel in the Center for Life, you are a vital part of the ADF Legal Team. In this role, you will report to the Senior Counsel, Director of Center for Life. You are expected to be an experienced attorney capable of undertaking complex litigation and advocacy without substantial oversight by senior attorneys, and your cases will have an emphasis on First Amendment law, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil-rights actions, and other constitutional and statutory claims relating to the protection of life. You will also train junior attorneys in basic civil litigation, and oversee administrative and paralegal support functions.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Conduct complex legal research.
• Confer with colleagues to establish and verify the basis for initiating lawsuits.
• Draft, review, edit, and file substantive legal briefs.
• Interview clients, potential clients, and witnesses.
• Prepare and respond to written discovery.
• Conduct and defend depositions.
• Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
• Analyze and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and organizations.
• Participate in developing case strategy, evidence, and fact and expert testimony.
• Cooperate with the Development team to provide information for ministry friends, including through in-person meetings.
• Work with and advise Allied Attorneys on legal issues within areas of competence.
• Network and develop relationships with Allied Attorneys and/or potential Allied Attorneys.
• Train and mentor junior attorneys.

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

• You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned.
• Interact with media regarding ADF Life cases and related issues.
• Speak on ADF Life cases and related issues at various events, including to university and law. students, pregnancy centers, faith-based ministries, pro-life groups, and professional organizations.

Skills you need to succeed:

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Westlaw.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and proven project management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Proven customer service and excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to:

• Professionally handle confidential information.
• Work, motivate, and initiate within a team.
• Prioritize and achieve deadline goals.

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor’s degree: J.D., licensed to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• Litigation experience.

To complete your application, please attach a writing sample and copy of your transcripts to your application or if the files are too large, email to hr@adflegal.org.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.