
Democracy Forward
Remote Jobs
We believe democracy is worth the fight.
8 Jobs
• Working closely with Executive Office (EO) team members, coordinating on all aspects of the Principal’s domestic and international travel, including flights, hotels, and ground transportation, ensuring compliance with organizational travel policies. • Proactively address travel disruptions and operational challenges to minimize impact on the Principal's schedule and objectives. • Assist the Director of Executive Scheduling with planning for security needs for the Principal’s travel and events. • Provide regular updates on the Principal’s upcoming travel to internal teams to support stakeholder outreach and identification of strategic engagement opportunities involving existing and prospective donors, partners, and organizational allies. • Maintain comprehensive travel records, expense documentation, and engagement details to support the preparation of executive trip reports. • Conduct pre-event planning calls and gather logistical information from event organizers to support the preparation of timely and relevant briefing materials for the Principal. • Work with EO team members to determine supply needs, identify opportunities for Democracy Forward branded materials, and coordinate the sharing and collection of materials at events. • Liaise with event organizers, external hosts, and others to ensure the Principal’s engagements align with the Organization’s strategic objectives. • Conduct site visits with event organizers and security to confirm all logistics, operational needs, and production elements and provide pertinent updates to relevant team members and the Principal as needed. • As directed by EO team members, travel with or arrive in advance of the Principal to ensure seamless arrival and execution of meetings, events, and other engagements. • Travel with or in advance of the Principal on trips, providing real-time scheduling coordination, communications support, logistical management, and other assistance to ensure successful execution of all engagements. • Coordinate closely with EO team members to manage schedule adjustments, transition between meetings/events/transportation, and ensure the Principal’s schedule stays consistent throughout the day. • Provide timely updates to the Principal and EO team members regarding itinerary changes, delays, or emerging issues. • Travel with and manage key materials including briefing documents, speaking notes, supplies, technology, and other necessary items. • While traveling, identify and mitigate unexpected issues swiftly and effectively. • Coordinate with security personnel and relevant stakeholders to facilitate efficient and seamless movement between engagements. • Assist the Principal and any other traveling staff with sharing and collecting contact information while traveling, making note of follow-ups and action items, and supporting relationship management efforts. • Provide real-time updates to both the Principal and EO team members on any itinerary changes and proactively address delays. • Maintain direct communication with the Principal and senior staff to provide real-time updates on event details and status. • Ensure the Principal has all necessary materials, including schedules, talking points, and background notes. • Manage on-the-go communications, including handling calls, emails, and in-person briefings. • Identify and mitigate unexpected issues swiftly and effectively. • Create checklists for event and trip advance and follow-up so that others can support when additional staff is needed.
Title: Senior Legal Advisor Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States Job Description: Position Summary: Democracy Forward Foundation ("Democracy Forward") is hiring a Senior Legal Advisor to join our Legal team. Senior Legal Advisors will develop their own matters, including being willing to perform at times, all aspects of DF's legal and regulatory work (matter development, outreach, drafting, strategy, and participation in all stages of litigation). They will also spend a substantial portion of their time supporting and/or supervising the development of matters by other members of the legal team. Senior Legal Advisors will utilize their expertise to assist in sophisticated matter development, legal work, and participation in the progressive legal sphere. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter. The Senior Legal Advisor will report to our Legal Directors and will work closely with the entire Legal team. Key Responsibilities: Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department. - Draw on extensive litigation and legal experience, legal networks, and strategic judgment to develop and support the execution of legal strategies to challenge abuses of power by government officials at the state, local, and federal level. - Draw on extensive litigation and legal experience, legal networks, and strategic judgment to develop and support the execution of legal strategies to empower the state, local, and federal government to address the needs of people and communities, including regulatory strategies and legal support strategies. - Support organizational leadership in cultivating a culture of excellence, including through (as needed) supervising litigation, regulatory work, legal advocacy, and providing real-time support and skills-development for attorneys. - Act as a thought-partner and provide needed support to the development of progressive jurisprudence strategies. - Facilitate creative case development, brainstorming, and other strategic advocacy strategies through providing support, enthusiasm, research, and real-time feedback and judgment. - Leverage deep relationships within the legal community to support the work of Democracy Forward and Democracy Forward's continued organizational growth and sphere of influence, including creating opportunities for Democracy Forward staff to build deeper professional relationships. - Partner with teams throughout the organization in the development of strategic narratives and other written pieces to help educate the philanthropic community, legal community, and progressive communities on pressing issues. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. - JD Required. - 20+ years active legal experience. - Deep legal networks in your area of expertise. - Experience mentoring and supporting junior staff members. Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary for this position is $245,000 plus excellent benefits. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.
Staff Attorney - Senior Attorney, Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research
Democracy ForwardWe believe democracy is worth the fight.
Title: Staff Attorney / Senior Attorney, Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research Location: Remote; Washington, District of Columbia, United States Job Description: Position Summary: Are you a mission-driven attorney with a passion for administrative law and regulatory advocacy? Do you want to research and analyze cutting-edge statutory, administrative, and constitutional issues? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation ("Democracy Forward") is looking for a Staff Attorney or Senior Attorney to join our Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research team. We are seeking a highly collaborative and analytically rigorous attorney to help lead Democracy Forward’s monitoring and engagement in the federal regulatory process and to support its litigation and advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate has a strong background in administrative law, legal research and writing, and a demonstrated commitment to pro-democracy and progressive causes. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1–2 times per quarter. The Staff Attorney / Senior Attorney will report to the Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research and work closely with staff across the organization, including the Legal, Policy, Communications, and External Affairs teams. Key Responsibilities: Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department. Regulatory Monitoring and Advocacy: - Support the Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research in monitoring federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules, executive actions, and other administrative actions. - Analyze proposed rulemakings and administrative actions to identify opportunities for engagement. - Draft public comments, responses to requests for information, and other regulatory submissions. - Assist in coordinating timely responses to regulatory actions, including partner engagement and related advocacy materials. - Help maintain systems for identifying, tracking, and prioritizing rulemakings of strategic interest. - Prepare and deliver verbal and written presentations and briefings on legal and regulatory developments to internal teams and external partners. - Help build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, policy experts, and external stakeholders to strengthen the broader pro-democracy coalition. Legal Research and Strategic Support: - Conduct rigorous legal research and analysis on emerging administrative, constitutional, and regulatory legal issues to inform Democracy Forward’s litigation and advocacy strategies. - Draft high-quality legal work product—including legal memoranda, issue area guides, and policy papers—that explain complex legal issues for a range of audiences. - Support the development and maintenance of internal research infrastructure to enable rapid, high-quality analysis across teams. - Track legal and policy developments in key issue areas and provide regular updates to internal teams and coalition partners. - Advance proactive engagement in the pro-democracy movement through research and analysis that supports affirmative litigation, amicus briefs, and coalition partnerships. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. - J.D. required; active membership in good standing in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia, or ability to become admitted. - 3-6 years of relevant legal experience for Attorney role, 7+ years of relevant experience for Senior Attorney role. - Demonstrated experience with legal research and writing, including the ability to produce clear, precise, and persuasive written work product - Experience with or demonstrated interest in federal regulatory processes, Administrative Procedure Act litigation, and/or public-interest legal advocacy. - Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal doctrine for non-specialist audiences. - Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities and be nimble and flexible in response to fast-moving legal and policy developments. - Experience working on teams in a collaborative structure. - Well-developed interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. - Demonstrated commitment to Democracy Forward’s values of excellence, inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and impact. - Demonstrated commitment to democracy and social progress. Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary range for this position is $120,000- $170,000 commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries
Title: Senior Counsel Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States Job Description: Position Summary: Democracy Forward Foundation is seeking attorneys to carry out its mission to promote pro-democracy and progressive policies and ideals via litigation and regulatory engagement. The ideal candidates will have experience with one or more of the following: - State or federal litigation, including investigating and researching potential claims, drafting complaints, briefs, and supporting documents, and participating in hearings and arguments - The federal regulatory process, either via litigation, notice-and-comment rulemaking, or other administrative processes - Client development and coalition partnerships This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter. The Senior Counsel will report to Managing Attorney and work closely with all staff across the legal team. Key Responsibilities: - Litigation: Serve as lead or co-counsel in proceedings in federal and state courts, including advising clients on litigation strategy, risks, and objectives, and carrying out all aspects of litigation from case initiation through appeal. This includes representing Democracy Forward Foundation and external clients in litigation handled entirely by Democracy Forward Foundation attorneys or co-counseling with law firms or other entities. - Client development and coalition management: work with partners from a wide range of public interest spheres, including non-profits, local governments, small businesses, unions, and individuals, to develop, litigate, and raise awareness of Democracy Forward Foundation’s legal work. This includes building relationships with potential clients and other partners and supporting coalition development. - Agency advocacy: represent clients before federal agencies in developing progressive policy via the regulatory process including rulemakings, agency hearings, and agency meetings. - Draft written work product, including filings, legal memorandum, agency comments, FOIA requests, letters, and other types of advocacy materials, including but not limited to, petitions for rulemaking and letters to agency Inspectors General. - Monitor relevant policy issues to identify instances where Democracy Forward Foundation should consider getting involved in litigation (either affirmative litigation or as an amicus or intervenor) or in regulatory advocacy. - Support the growth and development of junior legal staff. This includes providing appropriate and timely feedback, informal mentorship, and other opportunities for collaboration and support. - Contribute affirmatively to a workplace culture of inclusion and equity. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. - J.D. from an accredited law school. - Active membership in good standing in the bar of the District of Columbia, or membership in good standing in another state bar with the ability to become admitted in D.C. - For Senior Counsel positions, we require at least 7 years of relevant experience, ideally some of which will have been on behalf of or against federal or state governments and/or advocating for clients in the federal regulatory process. Title and compensation are based on relevant experience. Democracy Forward Foundation has a competitive, lock-step compensation structure for its lawyers. - Demonstrated excellence in performing legal research and drafting legal documents (including court filings such as complaints, dispositive motions, and appeals, and/or regulatory filings such as comments and petitions for rulemaking), in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner. Excellent writing ability is a plus. - Familiarity with legal doctrines applicable to litigation and/or regulatory advocacy involving federal and/or state governments. Experience with the federal Administrative Procedure Act is a plus. - Experience developing affirmative litigation in state and/or federal courts, including researching potential theories, developing potential clients, and building factual records. - Experience working independently and having primary responsibility for matters. - Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully on a team of attorney and staff professionals in a relatively flat hierarchical structure. - Ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments and meet deadlines; must be able to work well both independently and in a team environment. - Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them. - Ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients and partner organizations, including initiating new relationships, developing and managing coalitions. - Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. - Commitment to workplace inclusion and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture. Democracy Forward provides a competitive, lockstep and transparent compensation and benefits package. The salary range for senior counsel positions is $175,000 – $205,000+, based on years of relevant experience and seniority. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.
Legal Director, Civil Rights and Special Projects
Democracy ForwardWe believe democracy is worth the fight.
Title: Legal Director, Civil Rights and Special Projects Location: - Washington, District of Columbia, United States - USA - Remote Position Summary: The Legal Director, which will be focused on Civil Rights and Special Projects, will join three other Legal Directors reporting to the President and CEO, in close coordination with the Chief Program and Strategy Officer. This Legal Director position will be responsible for developing the strategic vision and staffing plan for the civil rights project as well as developing and supervising civil rights-related matters and other significant affirmative litigation involving state and institutional actors. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter. Key Responsibilities: - Develop the strategic vision and staffing plan for the civil rights project to maximize the project’s impact. With the People, Culture and Operations team and the other Legal Directors, support the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of legal staff for the project. - Identify, develop and supervise high-impact civil rights-related matters and oversee affirmative litigation and legal advocacy involving state and institutional actors. Ensure that all legal work filed or undertaken by Democracy Forward Foundation in these areas meets the highest standards of excellence. - In coordination with the Director for State Litigation and Emerging Issues, develop the strategic vision and staffing plan for work to challenge anti-democratic state laws as well as anti-democratic activities of institutional actors. - Work closely with civil rights organizations and the broader pro-democracy community on litigation coordination and long-term development of legal doctrines. Foster and deepen relationships with peer and partner organizations. - Engage and collaborate with all Divisions of the organization and the Executive Office, including facilitating collaboration between the Legal Department and other Divisions and Offices. - With the People, Culture and Operations team, facilitate a culture of belonging, inclusion, and continuous learning within the Legal Department and its members as well as the organization as a whole. - With the Managing Attorney and other Legal Directors, facilitate the administrative and managerial operations of the Legal Department. - Working with others in the Legal Department, maintain accurate information regarding Legal Department activities, impact and trend measures. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. - J.D. from an accredited law school. - Active membership in good standing in the bar of the District of Columbia, or membership in good standing in another state bar with the ability to become admitted in D.C. - 15+ years active litigation experience, including significant experience and demonstrated excellence in developing civil rights and other affirmative litigation. - 10+ years of demonstrated and significant experience in managing and leading diverse teams in a matrixed structure. - Collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop relationships of trust and confidence with colleagues across teams and departments. - Demonstrated ability to think creatively and craft legal strategies to address difficult and complex social problems. - Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with legal, academic, government and nonprofit networks, build coalitions, and develop strong client and stakeholder relationships. - Demonstrated excellence in performing and supervising legal research and drafting legal documents (including court filings such as complaints, dispositive motions, and appeals, and/or regulatory filings such as comments and petitions for rulemaking), in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner. - Demonstrated substantive expertise in civil rights and civil rights litigation, including in emerging issues - Ability to be a thought-leader. - Familiarity with legal doctrines applicable to litigation and/or regulatory advocacy involving federal and/or state governments. - Experience developing affirmative litigation in state and/or federal courts, including researching potential theories, developing potential clients, and building factual records. - Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them. - Ability to juggle multiple matters for different stakeholders in a highly collaborative environment; must be able to work well both independently and in a team environment. - Nimble and collaborative team-player with a growth mindset, who is comfortable with change and has ability to lead and operate with ambiguity. - Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. - Commitment to workplace inclusion and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture. Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary for this position is $280,000 plus excellent benefits. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.
Development Associate Remote; Washington, District of Columbia, United States Position Summary: Are you a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with an interest in nonprofit development? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Development Associate to join our team. This position will be responsible for providing critical administrative and data management support for our Development team such as grants tracking, document management and preparation, record retention, and calendar management to ensure smooth operations of the development portfolio. The Development Associate will need to be a systems-thinker who can execute our development operations while also having an eye for process improvement. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) for DC-based employees. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1–2 times per quarter. The Development Associate will report to the Senior Director of Development and will work closely with all members of the Development team staff across the organization. Key Responsibilities: Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department. Data Management: - Manage grants data flow and documentation processes through Google Drive, accounting spreadsheets, and Customer Relations Software. - Build and maintain file structures to retain development data. - Manage compliance and record retention practices. - Develop and track executive memos and deliverables. - Assist the Director of Partnerships in developing reporting materials, tracking and recording financial transactions, and planning monthly and quarterly deliverables. Development Support: - Support the drafting of internal executive reporting products. - Support the tracking of multiple grant obligations and reporting products. - Manage a grantmaking calendar. - Prepare reports and proposals through maintaining a document library. - Manage version controls on drafted reports and proposals. - Other tasks at the direction of the Senior Director of Development. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. Required: - 1-3 years of relevant experience. - Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills. - Ability to meet strict deadlines across multiple simultaneous projects. - Thorough and organized administrator. - Detail oriented and independently motivated. - Systems-thinker who can build on and improve our practices and systems for documentation, retention, department coordination, and deliverable execution. - Meticulous thinker who can improve upon our data management and information system transition horizons. - Willingness to learn new technical systems and capable of implementing best practices. - High degree of discretion, sensitivity, and respect for confidentiality. - Mission-focused and capable of flexing time/energy to meet the demands of a high pace and high energy work environment. - High degree of ownership and accountability in managing a complex information ecosystem. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and document management tools (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint). - Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds. Preferred: - Experience working in nonprofit development, fundraising, or donor relations - Familiarity with grant tracking systems and donor management software Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary for this position is $72,100 plus excellent benefits. This role is overtime eligible. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Staff or Senior Attorney and Editor, Red Line for Civil Rights
Democracy ForwardWe believe democracy is worth the fight.
Title: Staff or Senior Attorney & Editor, Red Line for Civil Rights Location: Remote; Washington, District of Columbia, United States Job Description: Position Summary: Are you a detail-oriented and mission-driven civil rights attorney with strong analytical and writing skills? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Staff or Senior Attorney and Editor to join the Red Line for Civil Rights team. Red Line for Civil Rights is an oversight and accountability project led by former career attorneys of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Red Line tracks, analyzes, and explains changes in federal civil rights enforcement across subject areas including voting, policing, housing, employment, disability rights, education, criminal civil rights prosecutions, LGBTQI+ rights, and access to reproductive healthcare. We are seeking a collaborative and strategic attorney to support Red Line’s legal analysis, written content, and public engagement efforts. This position will be responsible for researching and drafting case entries and articles, tracking enforcement trends, supporting dissemination strategies, and representing Red Line in stakeholder settings. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) for DC-based employees. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1–2 times per quarter. The Staff or Senior Attorney and Editor will report to the Director of Red Line for Civil Rights and work closely with Red Line team members and colleagues across Democracy Forward. Key Responsibilities: Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department. Legal Research and Analysis: - Draft detailed case entries analyzing developments in federal civil rights enforcement, including litigation filings, investigative findings, consent decrees, and policy guidance. - Research and write long-form articles identifying trends across subject areas such as voting, policing, housing, employment, disability rights, education, criminal civil rights prosecutions, LGBTQI+ rights, and access to reproductive healthcare. - Review and edit draft case entries and articles for analytical clarity, accuracy, and consistency with Red Line’s editorial standards. - Produce rapid-response analysis of significant developments in federal civil rights enforcement. - Monitor and analyze federal court dockets, federal enforcement announcements, executive orders, and agency guidance to identify changes in enforcement priorities and legal positions. - Draft strategic public records requests. - Analyze documents and data on changes to federal civil rights enforcement. - Collaborate with team members to ensure factual accuracy, analytical rigor, and consistency in Red Line’s content. Strategy and Dissemination: - Support the development and execution of strategies to expand the reach of Red Line’s work beyond the website, including briefings, newsletters, media engagement, social media, and partnerships. - Translate complex legal developments into clear, accessible analysis for public audiences. - Contribute to the preparation of background materials, talking points, and presentations for stakeholders and partners. - Contribute to the development of Red Line’s website and other future analytical products. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. Required: - J.D. from an accredited law school. - Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. - For Staff Attorney: 5-6 years of experience in civil rights law, constitutional law, or related public interest litigation or policy work. - For Senior Attorney: 7+ years of experience in civil rights law, constitutional law, or related public interest litigation or policy work. - Demonstrated expertise in one or more federal civil rights statutes or enforcement frameworks. - Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills. - Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. - Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated self-awareness and ability to work independently and across diverse teams and stakeholders. - Commitment to workplace inclusion and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture. Preferred: - Experience in civil rights enforcement on behalf of the federal government. - Experience in legal journalism, public-facing writing, policy analysis, or publishing outside traditional litigation contexts. - Demonstrated ability to translate legal developments into accessible, compelling written content for non-legal audiences. - Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and policy developments into clear, engaging presentations and briefings for varied audiences. - Demonstrated ability to work with data to identify statistical patterns and translate them to clear public-facing writing. - Experience engaging with media, contributing to newsletters or digital platforms, or supporting communications strategy. - Connections to or ability to cultivate relationships with civil rights organizations, legal advocates, and affected communities who can surface developments in civil rights enforcement. Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $130,000-$145,000. The salary range for the Senior Attorney position is $145,000 - $165,000. Salary is commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries
Associate Director, State Legislative Affairs
Democracy ForwardWe believe democracy is worth the fight.
Position Summary: Are you a state policy and legislative expert with strong communication and advocacy skills? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is hiring an AssociateDirector, State Legislative Affairs to provide strategic leadership to advance pro-democracy and progressive policies and ideals though state government affairs efforts. The Associate Director is accountable for strengthening and scaling state advocacy infrastructure by providing strategic leadership, policy expertise, and hands-on technical support. The role serves as the staff expert and primary liaison between Democracy Forward and elected officials and partners in state executive and legislative branch positions providing policy expertise and technical assistance. This position requires the ability to operate with a high degree of professionalism and autonomy, independently executing priorities, exercising judgment, building and maintaining strong relationships, analyzing bills and regulations, and collaborating effectively with staff and stakeholders across diverse political environments. This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter. This role also requires travel up to 50% of the time to support regional business needs, with most trips lasting 1-2 nights. The Associate Director, State Legislative Affairs will report to the Policy Director, and will collaborate closely with the Policy and Public Affairs team, as well as the entire organization. Key Responsibilities: Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department. - Lead the cultivation and maintenance of strategic relationships with state policymakers. - Serve as the senior staff lead and primary point of contact for state policymakers. - Provide strategic direction and leadership to state policymakers to align and advance Democracy Forward Foundation’s advocacy priorities. - Monitor and analyze state legislative and regulatory activity; independently assess political landscapes and provide proactive, strategic guidance to state leaders. - Lead the drafting and development of bills, regulations, testimony, fact sheets, and advocacy materials. - Represent Democracy Forward as a leader at legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, and regulatory proceedings, including providing expert testimony as needed. - Collaborate with Democracy Forward Foundation’s Office of Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Initiatives to strategically elevate and amplify state advocacy initiatives and policy wins/losses. - Deliver high-level briefings and presentations to Democracy Forward Foundation leadership, staff, and external partners on state government affairs issues. - Travel to represent Democracy Forward Foundation at state-level events, meetings, and legislative days. Qualifications: We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply. - Bachelor’s degree required. - J.D. preferred. - 7-10+ years of experience in state government relations, public policy, or related field. - Experience designing and executing advocacy strategies. - Direct state advocacy or legislative experience required. - Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously, manage complex portfolios, and deliver results with minimal oversight in a fast-paced advocacy environment. - Proven collaborative, solution-oriented leadership approach when working with staff and external stakeholders. - Experience leading and managing staff, consultants, and outside contractors/vendors with accountability for outcomes. - Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and relationship-building skills. - Established experience and strong professional connections with state legislatures and/or advocacy communities preferred. - In-depth understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes. - Excellent organizational and time-management abilities. - Superior written and verbal communication skills. Work Environment & Physical Demands: - This role requires travel up to 50% of the time to support regional business needs, with most trips lasting 1-2 nights. Willingness to accommodate non-standard hours will be needed. - This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed. The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $145,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying. Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@democracyforward.org or 833-391-4732.