Democracy Defenders Action

National Black Lawyers Top 100; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20+ days PTO

Health insurance (100% employee)

401K with match

Tech and home office stipends

Coworking space access

Recurring teambuilding opportunities

Job summary

Democracy Defenders Action seeks a mid-level litigation associate to join its remote team and assist with voting rights cases, trials, and appellate work, collaborating with external partners on high-impact challenges.

The candidate should have a JD, DC bar waiver if needed, 5–10 years of litigation experience, and a demonstrated commitment to democracy. Occasional travel is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Bar membership in good standing, with the ability to waive into the D.C. bar upon hiring.
• 5-10 years of litigation experience, including trial advocacy and appellate work; election law and voting rights experience preferred.
• Experience as a prosecutor, public defender, or litigator for a nonprofit organization or government agency preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in all phases of trial litigation, including legal research, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery (including taking and defending depositions), oral argument, witness preparation, and trial advocacy.
• Demonstrated appellate experience preferred.
• Strong research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Capacity to manage multiple cases and prioritize effectively.
• Discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Unwavering commitment to defeating election sabotage and denial, fighting autocracy, and building a resilient democracy.
• Experience (professional, volunteer, or otherwise) advancing democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and an ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.
• Occasional travel required.
• Occasional weeknight and weekend work required.

Responsibilities

• Support election and voting rights litigation, including trial prep, strategy, and execution.
• Participate in all phases of litigation, including pre-filing research, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, courtroom advocacy, and appeals.
• Draft and coordinate amicus briefs for critical democracy-related cases, with an emphasis on election and voting rights cases.
• Assist with identifying and selecting plaintiffs for impactful litigation.
• Collaborate with internal multidisciplinary teams and external partners, including co-counsel, nonprofit allies, and communications professionals, to coordinate legal strategy and messaging.
• Manage a small portfolio of active cases and ensure deadlines, filings, and legal deliverables are met with precision.
• Produce high-quality, effective legal content under tight deadlines, and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced legal environment.
• Travel as needed for court appearances, discovery, and collaborative strategy meetings.
• Draft and review talking points and other media materials for amplification of work and cases.
• Other tasks as needed.

Job description

Democracy Defenders Action, a 501(c)(4) organization
Full time, Exempt, Remote

Organizational Overview

The Democracy Defenders family of organizations (a c3, c4, legally separate PAC, and The Contrarian) is a leader in the fight against authoritarianism, working strategically in the courts and court of public opinion to restore American democracy by: upholding the rule of law, safeguarding free and fair elections, and fighting corruption.

Role Purpose

Democracy Defenders Action is seeking a mid-level litigation associate to assist with our active, pro-democracy docket and collaborate with external partners on high-impact legal challenges, with a particular focus on voting rights and election cases.

To best protect, strengthen, and rebuild our democracy, it is critical that DDA’s staff reflects the diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented in the democracy we seek to defend. Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization’s election and voting rights litigation efforts, including trial preparation, strategy, and execution in cases critical to defending democracy.
• Participate with all phases of litigation, including pre-filing research, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, courtroom advocacy, and appeals.
• Draft and coordinate amicus briefs for critical democracy-related cases, with an emphasis on election and voting rights cases.
• Assist with identifying and selecting plaintiffs for impactful litigation.
• Collaborate with internal multidisciplinary teams and external partners, including co-counsel, nonprofit allies, and communications professionals, to coordinate legal strategy and messaging.
• Manage a small portfolio of active cases and ensure deadlines, filings, and legal deliverables are met with precision.
• Produce high-quality, effective legal content under tight deadlines, and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced legal environment.
• Travel as needed for court appearances, discovery, and collaborative strategy meetings.
• Draft and review talking points and other media materials for amplification of work and cases.
• Other tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Bar membership in good standing, with the ability to waive into the D.C. bar upon hiring.
• 5-10 years of litigation experience, including trial advocacy and appellate work; election law and voting rights experience preferred.
• Experience as a prosecutor, public defender, or litigator for a nonprofit organization or government agency preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in all phases of trial litigation, including legal research, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery (including taking and defending depositions), oral argument, witness preparation, and trial advocacy.
• Demonstrated appellate experience preferred.
• Strong research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Capacity to manage multiple cases and prioritize effectively.
• Discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Unwavering commitment to defeating election sabotage and denial, fighting autocracy, and building a resilient democracy.
• Experience (professional, volunteer, or otherwise) advancing democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and an ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.
• Occasional travel required.
• Occasional weeknight and weekend work required.

Role and Compensation Details

• The Litigation Counsel position is part of our Litigation department and reports to the Director of Litigation.
• This is a remote position that may be performed from any state in the U.S. We offer optional access to office space in Washington, DC.
• This role primarily supports Democracy Defenders Fund c3, with some support for Democracy Defenders Action c4.
• The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $175,000, commensurate with experience.
• DDA provides a comprehensive benefits package including 20+ days of PTO, 12 holidays, health insurance (100% paid for employee and 50% paid for family), 401K with match, tech and home office stipends, coworking space access, and recurring teambuilding opportunities.

If you are unsure about applying, we encourage you to make a case as to why you are a compelling candidate. A human reviews all application materials, and we are eager to hear from candidates who may not meet all of the qualifications, who possess transferable skills, and who have non‑traditional work histories.

Democracy Defenders Action is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.