Director Of Litigation For Education And Workplace Justice

The Position 

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Director of Litigation for Education & Workplace Justice, who will shape litigation strategy for the Education & Workplace Justice team and lead the team’s litigation and amicus curiae efforts to proactively promote gender justice goals and defend against forces that threaten the civil rights and other legal protections for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people at work and at school. Potential areas of focus include litigation to enforce Title IX, Title VII, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Equal Pay Act, and/or other key civil rights protections; litigation addressing the legality of governmental actions under the Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, and other legal frameworks enabling review of state action; litigation defending the scope of key civil rights protections against harassment and discrimination from attack, including litigation related to the scope of religious exemptions. The Director will also coordinate and collaborate with staff across NWLC on cross-cutting litigation matters. These efforts are to be shaped and informed by a gender justice and racial justice analysis, and include a focus on the rights of LGBTQI+ people.

This position may be classified as a Director IV or Director V position on the NWLC compensation scale. This is a full-time exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

The Organization  

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. 

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially those who face multiple forms of discrimination, including women and girls of color, LGBTQI+ people, and low-income women and families. 

For more than 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the team’s litigation in collaboration with colleagues and pro bono firm counsel, including:
• Identifying priorities and key opportunities for NWLC’s engagement in litigation related to education and workplace justice;
• Developing new cases, and engaging in discovery, motion practice, trials and appeals;
• Responding to and pursing amicus brief opportunities;
• Developing and maintaining client relationships;
• Developing and maintaining close working relationships with coalition and litigation partners, including pro bono partners;
• Tracking and analyzing relevant legal trends in the courts;
• Crafting litigation strategies and priorities based on these trends.

• Supervise staff and interns, and manage projects and staff supporting those projects, using project management strategies;
• Represent the Center at public events, conferences, coalition meetings, and in the press;

• Participate in fundraising efforts to support NWLC initiatives;
• Coordinate with attorneys on other teams regarding cross-cutting litigation matters and strategies;
• In coordination with the Director of Litigation for Reproductive Rights and Health and other NLWC litigators, tell the story of NWLC’s work in the courts internally and externally, including through significant external facing events such as providing testimony, press interviews and speaking engagements.
• If classified as Director V, responsibilities may also include strategic, independent direction over the work portfolio, managing risk for NWLC, and increased external-facing responsibilities.

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

• A law degree; and admission to a state bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience for Director IV, and at least 15 years of relevant experience for Director V;
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage all aspects of litigation;
• Deep understanding of legal trends and developments related to gender justice, workers’ rights, and/or students’ rights;
• Ability to craft and prioritize litigation strategies in response to these developments;
• Deep knowledge of and experience with one or more federal civil rights laws, with a preference for experience with Title VII and/or Title IX;
• Sound strategic judgment;
• Strong research, analytical, oral and written communication skills;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;

• A collaborative and collegial approach, and an ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members;
• Genuine passion for the mission of the National Women’s Law Center;
• Creativity and initiative in identifying strategies to advance litigation goals;
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering LGBTQI+ communities and communities of color in the approach to work; 

Key Relations

This position reports to the Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice and supervises a senior counsel for litigation while also supervising other members of the team on particular cases and projects, and coordinating with attorneys on teams across NWLC on particular litigation projects.

Compensation & Benefits

A salary within the range of $125,923-$139,106 will be provided to the successful Director IV candidate with 7 to 14 years of experience, and a salary within the range of $162,847-$183,434 will be provided to the successful Director V candidate with 15-25+ years of experience, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. The successful candidate’s salary within these ranges will be determined by the number years of relevant experience they bring to the role. 

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation. 

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C. at our new office at 1350 Eye Street N.W.  This role is based in D.C. and will be eligible for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis. The successful candidate will need to live in or relocated to the DMV (broadly defined as DC, Maryland, or Virigina). 

The first 90 days of employment will be considered a probationary period. 

Classification 

This position is a management role and as such is not included in the union-represented bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70. 

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interests and qualifications. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment, as well as the number of hours worked in each role. Applications accepted until position is filled.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce.  We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at NWLCHR@nwlc.org.