Program Counsel or Officer

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE); Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is seeking an attorney (Program Counsel) or non-attorney advocate (Program Officer) based in Philadelphia, PA or Washington, DC. The role supports FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy team, handling case submissions from students, student orgs, and faculty, drafting advocacy plans, letters, and public communications.

You will also serve as a press contact, manage FOIA requests, identify candidates for litigation, and contribute to FIRE NewsDesk.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in First Amendment law and familiarity with its underlying principles.
• Knowledge of campus speech law and due process principles.
• Familiarity with FOIA/state public records laws or written discovery and document review.
• Familiarity with university conduct codes and the administrative structure of universities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional conscientiousness and interpersonal skills.
• Grit, charisma, and a sense of humor are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review, respond to, and manage case submissions from students, student organizations, and faculty members and provide input on action/referral.
• Collect and review university materials and policies to construct narratives of incidents of First Amendment, due process, or other rights violations.
• Determine an advocacy plan for designated cases, including devising advocacy options and coordinating with internal departments.
• Draft and review letters to universities and accrediting agencies on behalf of students, organizations, and faculty.
• Draft and review other public advocacy content, including blogs, social media posts, and statements to reporters.
• Serve as primary press contact on designated cases and conduct interviews for media as needed.
• Draft, file, and track FOIA requests as necessary for evaluating cases.
• Identify candidates for litigation in coordination with FIRE’s CRA and litigation departments.

Skills

First Amendment law

Due process

FOIA / public records

University conduct codes

Independent work

Legal research

Legal writing

Public speaking

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Grit & humor

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Bar admission willingness (PA or DC)

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

This position will be based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C. FIRE operates on a hybrid work schedule that allows for a mix of in-the-office and remote work days for eligible employees. Fully remote work will not be considered for this position.

About FIRE

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Position Description

This position is open for an attorney (Program Counsel) or non-attorney advocate (Program Officer) who will assist with the day-to-day operations of FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy (CRA) team and work closely with the department’s Director, Senior Program Counsel, and staff. The duties for this position include but are not limited to:

• Reviewing, responding to, and managing individual case submissions from students, student organizations, and faculty members and providing input on future action/referral.
• Collecting and reviewing relevant documentation, including university materials and policies, to construct narratives of incidents of First Amendment, due process, or other rights being violated.
• Determining an advocacy plan for designated cases, including devising creative advocacy options and collaborating among internal departments on execution.
• Authoring and reviewing letters to universities and accrediting agencies on behalf of students, student organizations, and faculty.
• Authoring and reviewing other types of public advocacy for designated cases, including (but not limited to) blogs, social media posts, and statements to reporters.
• Serving as primary press contact on designated cases, including conducting interviews for television, radio, and print media as needed or assigned.
• Authoring, filing, and tracking Freedom of Information Act requests as necessary for evaluating cases.
• Identifying candidates for litigation in coordination with FIRE’s CRA and litigation departments.

The Program Counsel or Officer may also contribute articles and columns to outside publications, contribute features to FIRE Newsdesk, and attend conferences on behalf of the organization.

This position involves a moderate amount of travel. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected.

The expected start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Qualifications

A successful candidate must demonstrate knowledge of and passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that passion in a way that will make others enthusiastic about our cause. A candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• Proficiency in general First Amendment law and familiarity with its underlying principles. Knowledge of campus speech law is highly desired.
• Familiarity with general principles of due process.
• Familiarity with either FOIA/state public records laws or with principles of written discovery, privileges, and document review preferred.
• Familiarity with general principles underlying university conduct codes and the administrative structure of universities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional conscientiousness.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.

Grit, charisma, and a sense of humor are a plus.

Candidates for Program Counsel must have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school. Candidates who possess a J.D. and are not already a member of the Pennsylvania or D.C. bar must be willing to obtain licensure in Pennsylvania or D.C. Candidates for Program Officer must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and excellent legal research skills. Paralegal or legal assistant experience preferred.

Salary and Compensation

For candidates with a J.D., the projected salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree, the projected salary range for this position is $57,000-$65,000. FIRE conducts periodic evaluations where employees may receive raises or bonuses for outstanding and excellent work. FIRE also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance for employees; a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account option; matching retirement contributions; and a generous paid time-off plan.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

As part of FIRE's hiring process, all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo a background check as permitted by and in compliance with federal, state, and local law.