Pacific Legal Foundation is only as good as the talent we employ. Knowing this, our hiring philosophy is simple: we seek to hire the best talent available. We’re constantly and aggressively on the lookout for employees who embody our core values.
If you’re passionate about one or more of our job opportunities, and you’re enthusiastic about working alongside colleagues who share these values, then we encourage you to apply to be a part of the PLF team.
We are freedom fighters.
Liberty is our obsession—we live and breathe it. When it’s threatened, we act decisively to protect it.
We are relentless.
Our pioneering spirit spurs us to take big, bold swings. We never rest on past success. Our eyes are aimed squarely on the future.
We elevate others.
We trust and invest in our clients, allies, and each other. We believe that—together—we can change the world.
We are confident.
We know liberty will win.
Foundation Relations Officer
Fully Remote • Work From Anywhere in the U.S.
You: A fundraising professional with a passion for liberty and winning. You’re a talented writer and meticulous editor who knows how to compose successful proposals and reports. And now you’re looking to join the grant-seeking efforts of a major organization dedicated to advancing liberty and reining in government overreach.
Them: Bureaucrats, city councils, mayors, governors, and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. There’s a lot of government overreach out there, and it’s backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, like all lumbering giants, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other’s backs, and are confident in and passionate for the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers we employ in spades here at PLF.
Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public-interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 20 litigated there. We also have more than a hundred active cases across the nation.
PLF is a next-generation public interest law firm. What does “next generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game. We want to win.
About the Foundation Relations Officer Opening:
The Foundation Relations Officer plays a key role in PLF’s development team efforts to secure funding from foundations and other grant makers who share our commitment to advancing individual liberty.
Here’s what you get to do in this role:
You will join PLF’s development team to secure funding from foundations and other grant makers who share our commitment to advancing individual liberty. You’ll apply your well-honed writing and messaging talents to craft successful proposals and reports tailored to the interests and requirements of the funders.
To ensure sufficient financial resources for PLF’s ambitious growth plans, you will also use your considerable knowledge of the pro-liberty movement and like-minded foundations to identify and secure grants from new potential funders.
As part of our grants team, you will compose letters, proposals, and reports, review and approve drafts, perform research, and meet with funders. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute.
PLF wants you to be relentless, confident, and show passion toward individual liberty, freedom, and taking down the big, bad guy.
Primary Job Duties:
- Draft grant proposals (including letters of inquiry) and reports tailored to the specific needs and interests of grant funders.
- Revise proposals and grants after the review process and prepare them for final submission.
- Ensure timely completion of grant drafts and submissions.
- Work closely with PLF’s program staff (Litigation, Policy, Research, Scholarship, Communications, Outreach) to define projects for grant proposals. This includes developing and tracking project metrics and milestones for reporting purposes.
- Coordinate with PLF’s finance staff to develop project budgets for grant proposals and to track progress for reports.
- With team collaboration, devise and incorporate a plan for research and approach to new foundation prospects.
- In collaboration with the Director of Foundation Relations, Vice President for Development, and other staff as appropriate, craft and regularly refresh overall messaging strategy for use in proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports.
- Travel to meet with funders, prospects, and PLF staff functions (15% of time).
This role is ideal for someone with:
- 3+ years of experience in grants and/or fundraising.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills—adept at translating complex ideas into accessible, persuasive copy.
- Strong ability to conceptualize and frame PLF’s work into compelling projects with tangible metrics.
- Solid project management skills to keep drafts moving, meet grant-related deadlines, and keep program staff on track with reporting.
- Familiarity with funders in the pro-liberty space.
- Knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty.
About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and in the court of public opinion.
A national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although half of the staff work from home offices across the country. You may work virtually or in any of our physical offices.
This is a full-time, permanent position. PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide, and we offer a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, medical and dental insurance, and employer-paid retirement savings. We take work-life balance seriously through our generous paid leave and flextime policies. We have a flexible, collaborative, positive, and collegial work environment. We take pride in investing in your future and encourage internal advancement. PLF is the place for someone principled, tenacious, and determined to succeed in positively shaping the future of our country and restoring real limits on government power. Join us.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:
- A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, what distinguishes you from typical applicants, and your salary requirements.
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: Savannah@talentmarket.org.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
ApplyLegal Policy Analyst
You: A principled policy advocate committed to the cause of liberty who wants to find creative solutions and promote them in the U.S. Congress. Your role is to research, track, and promote policies that protect individual liberty and ensure constitutional protections in our government and institutions. You’re looking for an opportunity to work with the best liberty lawyers in the nation and study the legal and philosophical principles of the liberty movement.
Them: Bureaucrats, legislators, and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. And then there are the policymakers that are with us in spirit but don’t know where to turn for meaningful and possible solutions.
Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 20 cases litigated at the Court. We also nearly 200 active cases across the nation. We leverage that long history of litigation success along with our strategic research into cutting-edge policy solutions at every level of government. We are active participants in the legislatures and governors’ offices in over a dozen states and at the federal level.
We are a next-generation public interest law firm. This means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.
About the Legal Policy Analyst Opening:
You will work with the Legal Policy Director, Legal Policy Deputy Directors, and PLF attorneys to develop and promote policies that reflect our three core practice areas: Separation of Powers — fight to rein in the unconstitutional “fourth branch,” also known as the administrative state, and restore our government’s proper structure. Equality and opportunity — to ensure that government does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, or sex and to demolish arbitrary government roadblocks to employment and prosperity. Property Rights — the foundation of liberty: the right to own, enjoy, and put property to productive use. It is a source of personal security, dignity, and prosperity, protecting the freedom of individuals to shape their destiny.
You will draft legislation, edit regulations, testify in committees, lobby in favor of PLF’s preferred policy solutions, write blogs and op-eds, attend conferences, and do media interviews supporting your work.
Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include:
Research and writing on federal laws and regulations, leading to solutions that may include the creation of model laws, executive orders, and policies
Track legislation and regulations and news on active campaigns to determine the best course of action for the legal policy team
Promote PLF and your work through writing, speaking, and media interviews
Candidates may work from home full-time but must reside within the greater Washington, DC metro area and be available for regular in-person meetings and as needed
This role is ideal for someone with:
Experience in legislative or executive offices, or a policy organization
A law degree (preferred)
A principled passion for individual liberty (not a political party)
Strong writing and research skills
Enjoys public speaking and networking
About Pacific Legal Foundation:
Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion.
As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff work from home offices across the country.
PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide, and we offer a competitive compensation package. We have a flexible, collaborative, positive, and collegial work environment. We take pride in investing in your future and encourage internal advancement. PLF is the place for someone principled, tenacious, and determined to succeed in positively shaping the future of our country and restoring real limits on government power. Join us.
To Apply:
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants
Your resume, including your experience in equality research and other relevant professional experience
Two writing samples: Preferably a 1) research report and 2) something written for a public audience
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: Stephanie@talentmarket.org.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
ApplyLaw Clerk Program (Summer 2025)
You: A motivated and liberty-minded law student dedicated to individual freedom. You came to law school with a vision—to fight for your principles and make a difference. You want to learn about the world of public-interest law from the best.
Them: Bureaucrats, city councils, mayors, governors, and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. There’s a lot of government overreach out there, and it’s backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, like all lumbering giants, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other’s backs, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers we employ in spades here at PLF.
Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 20 cases litigated at the Court. We also have more than 200 active cases across the nation.
We are a next-generation public interest law firm. What does “next-generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.
About PLF’s Summer Clerk Program
PLF’s Summer Clerk Program introduces you to public-interest law, immerses you in active litigation, and offers you a unique chance to study the constitutional and philosophical framework of liberty. You will benefit from hands-on training as you perform legal research and writing projects in PLF’s three litigation areas: property rights, equality and opportunity, and separation of powers. This is a full-time, paid summer position of $20/hour, including transportation benefits and wellness leave.
What makes this program different:
- Assignments: Our confidence in individualism extends to how we set up assignments and is often cited as one of the best aspects of the program. You will not only have the opportunity to work across all three practice areas, but you will get to choose most of your assignments. Your designated supervisor will ensure you get feedback, give you guidance on how to manage your work, and provide advice and expertise. We create the environment and opportunity for you to craft your experience, and clerks who get the most out of the program are the ones who embrace this mentality.
- Weekly Programming: Every week you will participate in educational and social activities to supplement your connection to PLF, the world of public interest law, and your fellow clerks. This includes field trips around the DC area, moot courts, department introductions, and deep-dive conversations with PLF attorneys on cases and litigation strategy.
- Networking and Mentorship: One of the most important things at this stage of your career is to build relationships, so we strongly encourage all clerks to set aside time to connect with other PLFers. Many clerks naturally build mentorship relationships beyond their supervisor through working with other attorneys, and we offer a mentorship program if there is a specific area of PLF’s work you are most interested in.
Important requirements to note:
- The clerkship will run from May 28th – August 16th. If this end date conflicts with other commitments, you have the option of ending your clerkship on August 8th instead.
- On May 28th and 29th we will host an Opening Summit in our DC Office. All clerks are expected to attend. Accommodation may be made for those participating in complimentary fellowships if advance notice is given.
- Participants are expected to work at least three days a week from our DC Office in Arlington, Virginia for the duration of the program.
Your specific job duties will likely include:
- Drafting legal memoranda on research questions for active trial and appellate litigation.
- Assisting in drafting motions and briefs before federal and state courts.
- Contributing to the discovery process across all three of our practice areas.
This role is ideal for someone with:
- One to two years of law school completed by the spring or summer of 2025.
- Excellent writing and legal research skills.
- A demonstrated interest in the philosophical and constitutional principles of individual liberty.
To Apply:
We will be accepting applications November 18th – December 31st. If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials in PDF format:
- Your resume, including your relevant educational and professional experience.
- A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.
- A writing sample.
- A response to the following questions (these will be included in the Paylocity application and do not need to be included in the PDF). Please do not exceed 2-3 sentences each:
- Why is freedom important to you?
- What book, author, or thinker, past or present, has most influenced your way of thinking?
- Pick one of PLF’s values and explain how you exemplify it.
- Which one of PLF’s current cases would you be excited to work on and why?
- What does equality under the law mean to you?
General Information:
Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion.
As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff works from home offices across the country. We foster a flexible, collaborative, and collegial work environment, and we take our stated values seriously.
This is a place for principled, tenacious, and determined individuals to succeed in positively shaping the future of our country by restoring real limits on government power. Join us.
General Application
You: Passionate about defending individual rights and promoting liberty, but don’t see a job available? We’re always looking for talented individuals who share our commitment to defending Property Rights, advocating for Separation of Powers, and believe in Equality and Opportunity. If you’re interested in exploring a potential role with Pacific Legal Foundation, we’d love to hear from you!
About Pacific Legal Foundation:
Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion.
As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff works from home offices across the country. Candidates will be considered for work from any office or home office, on a per-role basis.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and a brief application expressing your interest and how your skills align with our mission. Click ‘Apply’ button to proceed.
Apply