Litigation Counsel Jobs

Description:

Position Objective:

Develop and manage civil court and administrative litigation, and provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues arising from or related to PETA’s and the PETA Foundation’s work advocating for animal protection and animal rights issues.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Liaise with and provide legal advice and opinions to various PETA and PETA Foundation departments regarding efforts to publicize PETA’s legal work.
• Work closely with in-house and outside counsel on active litigation to achieve cost-effective results for PETA and the PETA Foundation.
• Assist caseworkers, researchers, and campaigners with a wide array of legal issues that arise in their work.
• Develop new cases and litigation strategies to advance animals’ rights in the legal system.
• Supervise counsel, fellows, and/or law student interns on assigned projects as necessary.
• Develop and manage all aspects of litigation in state and federal courts—including, as necessary, engaging in legal research, complaint drafting, written discovery, document review, depositions, motion practice, trial preparation, and oral advocacy—stemming from PETA’s and the PETA Foundation’s work advocating for animal protection and animal rights issues.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Represent the organization to the media on assigned legal work and engage in public speaking and writing on subjects related to this work.
• Research, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal statutes and regulations and applicable case law, with a primary focus on animal protection and animal rights issues.

Requirements:

• Proven excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Commitment to the objectives of the organization.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks within strict time constraints.
• J.D. and a minimum of three years civil litigation experience.
• Member in good standing of at least one state bar association.
• Support for PETA’s philosophy and the ability to advocate PETA’s and the PETA Foundation’s positions on issues professionally.
• Litigation experience with animal law, First Amendment, media law, FOIA/state open records laws, administrative law, and/or environmental law preferred but not required.
• Willingness to gain admission to court and bar associations and travel, where necessary.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000 annually. The ultimate salary within this range that will be offered to a qualified candidate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the cost of living in the area in which the candidate will live and work.

A list of benefits available to qualified employees is available here.