Legal Counsel, Public Policy

<p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our <a href="https://adflegal.org/about-us/careers/statement-of-faith/" target="_blank">Statement of Faith</a> to ensure we’re a fit for you.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; color: rgb(35, 111, 161); font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 48, 87);">Locations:</span> </strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lansdowne, VA / Dallas, TX</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; color: rgb(0, 48, 87); font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Team Overview</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Legal Counsel will serve on the government affairs team that manages ADF’s legislative and public policy work, including in-depth legislative review and analysis. This position will focus on providing legal counsel on federal and state legislation and policies affecting all of ADF’s issues, including free speech, religious liberty, parental rights, sanctity of life, and marriage and family. This position will require the individual to monitor and engage with a comprehensive legislative portfolio, coordinate with issue experts within ADF to analyze federal and state legislation, and regularly meet with and present to government officials and policy allies to advance ADF’s policy priorities within the federal and state governments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; color: rgb(0, 48, 87); font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Draft legislation and policies related to free speech, religious liberty, parental rights, sanctity of life, and marriage and family.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Review, track, and report on a large federal and state legislative portfolio of bills affecting ADF’s issues and strategic priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quickly develop a working knowledge of new legislation and its impact on ADF’s core issue areas.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work with issue area experts within ADF to develop analysis, position papers, and summaries of legislation affecting ADF’s core issue areas.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conduct research and prepare reports analyzing the latest court precedent that impacts ADF's legislative priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Travel extensively (especially during state legislative sessions when travel will likely exceed 50% per month) to meet with policy groups, legislators, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to discuss policy, strategy, and how to effectively advocate to government officials and the public.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Provide frequent in-person, virtual, and written testimony and presentations on the legal implications of proposed legislation.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Encourage and facilitate effective working relationships with key government and policy allies.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Speak publicly to the media and before crowds.</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work collaboratively within the ADF team and with external allies.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; color: rgb(0, 48, 87); font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Minimum Qualifications</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">J.D., active license in at least one US state bar, and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction within one year</span></li> <li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">1+ years of experience in public policy advocacy, governmental relations/affairs, or legislative work at the federal or state level.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;