Careers

Strategic Research Intern

You: An inquisitive, creative, and self-motivated college junior, senior, graduate student, or recent graduate who knows the principles of liberty and seeks to advance them. You have strong written and oral communication skills, strong data skills, and enjoy problem solving. Your degree is in social science or another discipline with strong emphasis in data analysis training.

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 12 victories out of 14 cases heard by the Court, with a 15th just accepted to be heard by the Court this spring. We also have more than a hundred 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.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:
The Strategic Research Intern will work closely with the Strategic Research and Legal Policy Department. Our research team produces high-quality social science research to support PLF’s mission-driven goals. We coordinate with our litigation, legal policy, and communications teams.

This internship provides an opportunity for a wide variety of experiences, including:

• Communicating with public officials to obtain public records.
• Data collection, organization, and analysis using Microsoft Excel or STATA.
• Conducting literature reviews on such topics as regulatory reform, housing supply, property rights, and coastal land rights.
• Developing internal data and literature memos for a litigation, communications, or legal policy campaigns.
• Write blogs or op-eds on topics relevant to PLF’s work.

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, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. You can work physically in our Arlington office or request to work virtually.

TO APPLY: 

If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials in one PDF at the link below. 

• Your resume. 
• 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. 

Legal Policy & Center for the Separation of Powers Intern

You: An inquisitive, creative, and self-motivated college junior, senior, or recent graduate who knows the principles of liberty and seeks to advance them. You have strong written and oral communication skills and enjoy problem solving.

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 12 victories out of 14 cases heard by the Court. We also have more than a hundred 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.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:

The Legal Policy & Center for the Separation of Powers Intern will work with PLF’s Legal Policy Department and Center for the Separation of Powers (CSP). Our legal policy team helps develop and execute strategies to secure state and federal legislative and executive reforms to expand individual liberty, and CSP seeks to end the unconstitutional regulatory state through academic engagement, public education, and strategic litigation. This internship provides an opportunity for a wide variety of experiences, including:

• Reading and summarizing important legislation.
• Developing briefing materials for use in meetings with executive and legislative branch officials.
• Conducting policy research for reform efforts at the state or federal level.
• Conducting other research for op-eds, podcasts, videos, and other projects to educate the public about the separation of powers.

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, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. The Legal Policy Department and Center for the Separation of Powers both operate out of the Arlington, VA office.

To Apply:

We are accepting interns through the Charles Koch Institute’s Koch Internship Program. If you think you might be a good fit, submit an application through the online portal. The application, deadlines, program requirements, and more information are available here.

Legal Policy Coordinator

You: A government affairs professional seeking to use the levers of government to promote liberty and dismantle policies that trample individual rights and freedoms. You will work with PLF’s top-notch experts, litigators, legal policy staff, and others inside and out of PLF to find opportunities for reform.

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, some legislators and other policymakers want guidance and help to make positive change. And 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 12 victories out of 14 cases heard by the Court. We also have more than a hundred active cases across the nation, and a growing number of legislative and administrative policy wins.

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.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:

You’ll work with PLF’s legal policy team to expand upon PLF’s legislative and administrative reform successes. You’ll also work with the litigation, research, and communications teams to help develop and execute strategies to secure reforms that expand individual liberty. The Legal Policy Coordinator will need a high degree of entrepreneurship and initiative to execute new projects that are part of the legal policy strategic plan.

Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include:

• Analyzing and tracking legislation of interest and helping to identify opportunities to improve, promote, or oppose legislation in order to further liberty and protect constitutional rights
• Researching political landscapes to help inform policy campaign decisions
• Tracking and recording PLF’s legal policy efforts
• Developing and strengthening relationships with policymakers and policy influencers to promote PLF’s policy priorities
• Traveling to target states, especially during their legislative sessions
• Assisting in the execution of all other aspects of PLF’s legislative and administrative strategy, including:
  • Communicating accurately and effectively with lawmakers, executive officials, and their staff on complex policy and legal issues
  • Preparing and delivering legislative testimony and agency rule-making comments, and facilitating the same by others at PLF
  • Writing persuasively on a variety of policy issues for op-eds, blogs, social media, and other venues
  • Attending conferences and working group meetings to gather information, represent PLF and its interests, and further other PLF’s goals
  • Working effectively with affinity partners, including preparing talking points and other written material and leading discussions in working group settings
  • Working with the PLF legal team and others to draft legislation, rule-making comments, and administrative orders on priority issues and promote them effectively

This role is ideal for someone with one to three years of experience in a legislative or administrative office, or government. We’ll be looking for a track record of navigating political processes, outstanding interpersonal communication skills, and knowledge of and passion for the ideas of freedom and individual liberty.

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, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. This position works out of the Arlington, VA, office.

TO APPLY:

If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials in one PDF at the link below:

• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant 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 of your choice

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.

Environmental Attorney

You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for property rights and fighting onerous governmental regulation. You are determined to become one of the best property rights litigators in the nation. Your drive will make you a national spokesperson for liberty—you speak at conferences, engage the media, and publish scholarship on the intersection between property rights and the environment. You want to be part of a team of freedom fighters and you elevate your colleagues, clients, and allies in order to achieve a freer society.

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 12 victories out of 14 cases heard by the Court. We also have more than a hundred 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.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:

You will be an entry-level attorney (2-5 years experience) in PLF’s environmental law practice group. From Rapanos to Sackett to Hawkes, PLF’s environmental litigation is unparalleled. You will find and work on landmark cases at the intersection of property rights, the environment, and administrative law. Your ideas will help shape PLF strategy by identifying and litigating emerging legal theories. And your determination will lead to you being recognized as a nationwide leader on environmental law. You will give speeches, attend conferences, appear on radio and television, and publish op-eds and scholarly articles.

You will work on teams with junior and senior attorneys, adding your skills and perspective in order to elevate our team’s ability to win important victories for liberty. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. You will be at the forefront of shaping the law for all Americans.

In a nutshell, we’re seeking an environmental law specialist who’s passionate about liberty, property rights, and administrative law, someone who is confident and magnanimous, and someone who is a bold and relentless freedom fighter.

Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include:

• Winning environmental law cases! Finding, developing, and litigating important environmental law cases, particularly involving the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
• Advocating for property rights and the separation of powers both philosophically and practically. Speaking with organizations, trade groups, academia, and media to advance PLF’s strategic environmental law goals. (A deep knowledge of the moral and constitutional basis for property rights and the separation of powers is a huge plus.)
• Writing persuasive pieces for both scholarly and lay audiences. Drafting op-eds, journal articles, and blog posts.
• Working with other attorneys as you battle and set the agenda for PLF’s environmental law practice.

This role is ideal for someone with:

• 2–5 years of litigation experience, experience as a federal law clerk counts
• Demonstrated interest in property rights, environmental law, and the separation of powers
• Passion for PLF’s mission
• Outstanding interpersonal communications skills
• Knowledge of and passion for the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-15%

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT WORK ARRANGEMENT AND BENEFITS:

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, CA; Arlington, VA; and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually. 

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 in one PDF file with your name in the file:

• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• 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.

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

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.

Questions can be directed to Katelynn Barbosa, Talent Engagement Manager of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: katelynn@talentmarket.org.

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 free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.

Research Assistant

You: An inquisitive, creative, and self-motivated professional who knows the principles of liberty and seeks to advance them. You are organized, enjoy research, and have strong written and oral communication skills.

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, some legislators and other policymakers want guidance and help to make positive change. And 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 12 victories out of 14 cases heard by the Court, and another set to be argued this spring. We also have more than a hundred active cases across the nation, and a growing number of legislative and administrative policy wins.

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.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:

You’ll operate as a central hub for three interrelated teams at PLF: the Center for the Separation of Powers (CSP), which seeks to end the unconstitutional regulatory state through public education, academic engagement, and strategic litigation; the Strategic Research team, which produces high-quality social science research to support PLF’s mission-driven goals; and the Legal Policy team, which develops and executes strategies to secure state and federal legislative and executive reforms that expand individual liberty. You’ll provide a mix of research and administrative assistance, and report through the CSP director and deputy director.

Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties will likely include:

• Researching for op-eds, scholarly articles, podcasts, videos, and other projects to educate the public about the separation of powers.
• Assisting with events, including quarterly litigation strategy meetings, research workshops, law symposia, briefings, and large-scale conferences.
• Conducting research for policy reform efforts at the state and federal levels.
• Leading the publication process for reports and other research projects.
• Developing internal data and literature memos for litigation, communications, and legal policy campaigns.
• Tracking other matters of interest to the research and policy teams, such as state and federal legislative tracking or postings in research databases.
• Keeping tabs on all three teams’ projects for internal reporting purposes.

This role is ideal for a recent college graduate or someone with similar professional research experience. Knowledge of legal issues and contemporary policy discussions is a plus. Superb organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple projects, and being a team player are all a must. A self-starter in this role could take on increasing responsibilities, such as writing and strategy.

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, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, though approximately half of the staff work from home across the country. This position works out of the Arlington, VA, office.

TO APPLY:

If you think you might be a good fit, submit the following application materials in one PDF at the link below:

• Your resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience for the role.
• 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 of your choice.

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.