Senior Staff Attorney, Non-Supervisory

Rose, Klein & Marias; Sacramento (CA); Remote; USD 105,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

FSA/DCA

PTO 192 hours

19 paid holidays

Sabbatical after 5 years

Parental leave 16 weeks

401k match

Remote work allowance

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Animal Legal Defense Fund is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney (Non-Supervisory) for its Litigation Program. You will manage day-to-day case work, develop novel legal theories, and assist in building new cases, with opportunities to mentor law clerks and fellows.

You will draft briefs, coordinate cross-department efforts, and handle pro bono matters, travel as needed, and present at professional events while upholding ALDF’s mission and standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in developing and litigating significant cases or projects, preferably in strategic impact animal protection litigation.
• JD degree and admission to practice law in the state of residence.
• Excellent organization and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Positive attitude and ability to work well in a team environment.
• Commitment to the Animal Legal Defense Fund's mission.
• Ability to travel as needed for litigation obligations and professional events.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead counsel, overseeing research, filings, and all litigation aspects for assigned cases.
• Research and develop novel legal theories and strategies for new cases.
• Provide mentorship and quality review of work by law clerks and fellows.
• Draft and file amicus briefs on behalf of ALDF.
• Coordinate with Communications to address civil legal questions and draft content.
• Coordinate with other programs on cases with civil and criminal components.
• Manage pro bono and local counsel on cases with external counsel.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for conferences and fundraising events.
• Provide in-house expertise on litigation program matters and civil procedure.
• Perform other duties to advance the program's objectives.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal research

Written communication

Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Job description

Description

Term of Employment: Full-Time, Exempt

Union: Bargaining Unit Position, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU)

Reports To: Litigation Program Director

Location: Remote (U.S. Based)

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026

Who We Are

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors and other stakeholders to ensure justice for animal victims of cruelty, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Role Description

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program accomplishes the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission by filing strategic high-impact lawsuits against government agencies, individuals, and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, and roadside zoos that seek to expand the protections for animals under the law.

Senior Staff Attorneys (Non-Supervisory) in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program are responsible for the day-to-day management of their assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research, filings, and other aspects of litigation. Senior Staff Attorneys (Non-Supervisory) are also responsible for assisting the Litigation Program in developing new cases.

How You Will Make a Difference

• Act as lead counsel, and be responsible for all research, filings, and other aspects of litigation, for all assigned cases and projects.
• Research and develop novel legal theories, strategies, and fact patterns, for new cases.
• Provide oversight, mentorship, and quality review of work produced by law clerks and fellows, without formal supervisory responsibilities.
• Draft, edit, and submit amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to propose, draft, proof, and/or edit content on cases and legal developments.
• Coordinate with other programs on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components.
• Manage pro bono and local counsel on cases with external counsel.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc.
• Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Litigation Program cases, animal law civil cases in general, and civil procedures and legal strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the Litigation Program and the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission.

Please note, this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position, which are subject to change in order to best advance ALDF’s strategic objectives and mission.

Requirements

We Are Looking for Candidates With:

• At least 5 years of experience successfully developing and litigating (as measured by both direct and indirect benefits) significant cases or projects, ideally as part of an organization engaged in strategic impact animal protection litigation or similar strategic impact litigation.
• A Juris Doctor degree and be admitted to practice law in their state of residence.
• Excellent organization and prioritization skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with team members, supporters, co-workers, and other counsel.
• A positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others and function well in a team-oriented work environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• The ability to travel as needed to fulfill litigation obligations, or for professional conferences, meetings, or other events as required.

We Offer Competitive Compensation With Excellent Benefits, Including

• Starting annual salary of $104,561 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, starting pay is $110,064.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, starting pay is $115,568.

To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published starting rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors.

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available
• 192 hours of PTO
• 19 paid holidays
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion)
• One-time remote work allowance of $750
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Additional Information

This role is included in a collective bargaining unit that is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Certain terms and conditions of your employment, including wages and benefits, have been negotiated with the Union and are included in a collective bargaining agreement between ALDF and the Union.

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.