Bolder Advocacy Counsel

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of over 150 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy program builds progressive power by providing nonprofit advocates with the training, technical assistance, and resources they need to comply with the federal and state laws associated with nonprofit advocacy. Bolder Advocacy is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process. Bolder Advocacy’s legal experts help organizations move from cautious to courageous across lobbying, election-related activity, ballot measures, grantmaking, and other efforts necessary to change the world. Under AFJ’s new strategic plan, Bolder Advocacy is prioritizing grassroots power building by focusing its efforts on designing new resources for grassroots groups and connecting with organizations working in community to advance positive policy change. AFJ is headquartered in Washington, DC, with remote staff in Texas, California, New York, and elsewhere. For more information about Alliance for Justice, please visit: www.afj.org.

Job Purpose

Counsel, as a part of AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy team, will provide training, technical assistance, write plain language legal guides, and engage in a variety of other communications with nonprofit and foundation staff, board members, and volunteers to help them understand their rights and abilities to advocate, lobby, engage in election related activities, and fund advocacy.

This position can be based in AFJ’s Washington, DC office, or Counsel can work remotely if located in another state. We welcome applications from qualified attorneys based in all 50 states and DC. Regardless of whether the employee is based in the DC office or not, they will be expected to regularly participate in and travel to in-person workshops and other work-related events. This position reports to the Bolder Advocacy Legal Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Master and stay up to date on federal tax and election law for tax-exempt organizations and effectively convey the material to a non-legal audience. 
• Master and stay up to date on relevant state law on lobbying disclosure, ballot measure, and campaign finance issues impacting advocacy organizations and effectively convey the material to a non-legal audience.
• Become familiar with local lobbying disclosure ordinances and other local advocacy laws in Counsel’s state.
• Serve as a thought leader by writing and speaking about trends, challenges, opportunities, or other developments regarding advocacy.
• Provide technical assistance to nonprofits and foundations on federal tax and election law, as well as relevant state and local lobbying and election laws for the jurisdiction in which they are located.
• Regularly plan, conduct, and travel to trainings throughout the U.S to provide instruction on the laws impacting advocacy organizations. Counsel is also expected to conduct trainings virtually.
• Write relevant technical assistance guides, blog posts, factsheets, articles, op-eds, and regulatory comments.
• Develop resources to meet the needs of the nonprofit advocacy community.
• Participate in policy advocacy impacting the rights of nonprofits and foundations to engage in advocacy and other subjects as relevant opportunities arise, as needed.
• Represent the organization at conferences and other gatherings of nonprofits and foundations.
• Regularly attend AFJ member cohort meetings and serve as a point of contact for the cohort when questions arise regarding the rules applying to nonprofit advocacy.
• Work with the AFJ Outreach and membership team to update cohort members about new BA resources that could assist them in their work.
• Network and build relationships with nonprofits and foundations representing priority constituencies and issue areas.
• Assist with publicity / outreach and logistics as needed to reach the desired audience.
• Collaborate with staff from other AFJ programs to deliver appropriate program content, program activities, and special events.
• Support the Development team in fundraising and grants management efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Law degree, bar membership in at least one state, and 3 – 5 years of legal experience or legal advocacy. Legal experience includes experience in the practice of law or judicial clerkships. Legal advocacy includes experience providing legal training, legal technical assistance, or other similar activities.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to write quickly in plain English.
• Commitment to social justice causes.
• Knowledge of the nonprofit sector, especially grassroots advocacy campaigns, GOTV work, other election-related activities, community organizing, and / or legislative advocacy.
• Experience working with one or more nonprofit organizations, including in a volunteer or intern role.
• Strong desire to participate in proactive outreach, networking, and communications (e.g. social media, podcasting, blog writing, public presentations, and attendance at coalition / partner meetings.)

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of local lobbying, campaign finance, and election laws in your jurisdiction of residence.
• Experience conducting training programs.
• Experience with coalition building, community organizing, and working with or at nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with nonprofit lobbying or advocacy campaigns.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in a relevant non-English language, including the ability to write clearly and quickly in a professional setting.
• Ability to draft technical assistance guides, blog posts, factsheets into a relevant non-English language or to supervise the translation of such documents.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so. On occasion, they will also be required to travel by train, airplane, or other mode of transportation to and from work-related events. Ability to work long hours when needed. All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position. Some occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. AFJ’s non-management staff members are unionized under the Baltimore-Washington Newspaper Guild.

Compensation

This is a union position covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035, which includes salary minimums based on job position category. This position is in Group 5 and has a salary minimum of $85,000.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement is available here; https://www.afj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WBNG-AFJ-AFJAC-CBA-FINAL-2.8.22.pdf.

AFJ offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program

Health

We offer medical, prescription, dental, vision benefits, as well as an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.

Savings

Save for retirement with our 401K plan with employer matching.

Time

We have a generous paid time off policy.

Family

We provide up to 16 weeks of parental leave and a range of paid and unpaid family leave programs that allow our employees to bond with and care for their children and other dependents.

Other

Flexible spending account, dependent care, life and disability insurance, as well as commuter benefits.

Racial Equity

Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Location

Remote: if Counsel resides outside of the Washington, DC region.

DC based Counsel is required to work in the office 1+ day/week.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants please reference Bolder Advocacy Counsel in your subject line and submit a letter of interest, resume and writing sample at https://jazzhr.com/ (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

AFJ/AFJAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFJ/AFJAC prohibits discrimination against its employees and applicants for employment based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, sero-status and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or income.

Disclaimer

This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive.  The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.