Careers

Prospect Research Manager

Pacific Legal Foundation—the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty—seeks an energetic and innovative development researcher to organize and manage a prospective donor pipeline to grow PLF’s donor base and financial resources.

The Prospect Research Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a process to identify prospective supporters in order to generate increased support for PLF. The Prospect Research Manager reports to the Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship.

The primary job duties are as follows:

• Identify prospective individuals and foundations who have the affinity and capacity to support Pacific Legal Foundation using research tools.
• Manage the research pipeline to facilitate acquisitions, renewals, and upgrades among current and prospective donors.
• Based on research, determine the appropriate stewardship track for new donors.
• Work closely with the Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship and Director of Donor Relations to develop appropriate donor strategies and prioritization based on research.
• Manage the dissemination of research to the appropriate development officers, including creating a process for assigning, reviewing, and disqualifying potential prospects.
• Prepare individual research and background profiles for development officers and leadership as requested.
• Oversee the strategic use of analytics data to implement effective segmentation of qualified prospects for the Annual Giving and Major Giving teams.
• Continually review and improve research processes based on results and feedback from Development colleagues.
• Maintain accurate and timely data information in Raiser’s Edge.

The ideal candidate will have

• 3–6 years’ experience in prospect research or fundraising.
• Allowance for remote work will be dependent on individual candidate’s experience level.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with varying timelines.
• Organizational skills to prioritize workload.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Judgment and discretion in handling sensitive donor information.
• Ability to work well with every component of PLF, across several offices, and a track record of working productively and collaboratively in team settings.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Adherence to and knowledge of the principles of liberty.
• Previous work with Raiser’s Edge and/or ResearchPoint are a definite plus.

 About Pacific Legal Foundation

PLF 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. Our attorneys have ten victories before the US Supreme Court—a record unmatched by anyone in the liberty movement—plus additional cases currently before the High Court with decisions pending. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court, and we know how to win.

If you share our passion to vindicate the principles of freedom and individual liberty, you should be a part of PLF—no matter where you live. A national nonprofit organization, PLF has offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Bellevue, Washington. We prefer that the Prospect Research Manager work from our Arlington, Virginia, office, but outstanding candidates may also work in other offices or virtually from home.

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.

To Apply

To apply, qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

• Résumé—The résumé should have the usual: your experience in the liberty movement, your professional experience, and your academic credentials.
• Cover letter—The cover letter should explain why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants. Please also include your salary requirements in your cover letter.

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

Questions can be directed to Katy Ranville, Network Engagement Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: (katy@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.

Summer 2019 Liberty Clerkships

As Pacific Legal Foundation marches toward its 50th anniversary, we are redefining what it means to be a public interest law firm. Our attorneys identify and litigate important legal issues to set landmark precedent 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.

PLF attorneys continue to bring and win cases in the United States Supreme Court. Again this year, PLF will be arguing two important cases before the nation’s highest court. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court and we know how to win. Sound like the reason you went to law school? Then you ought to apply for our clerkship program.

We seek highly motivated, principled, and liberty-minded law students for paid, full-time summer clerkships, June through August 2019, in each of our offices: Sacramento, California; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Washington, DC.

PLF’s law clerk program encourages and requires active involvement in on-going litigation, provides an introduction into the field of public-interest law, and offers a unique opportunity to study the constitutional and philosophical framework of liberty. Our law clerks receive hands-on training, as they perform legal research and writing projects in PLF’s three litigation areas: Property Rights, Personal Liberties, and Procedural Guarantees. Clerks are paid $16/hour.

If you share a passion to use your skills to vindicate the principles of freedom and individual liberty, you should learn what it takes to be a PLF litigator.

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references via email, fax, or mail. Please include “2019 Summer Law Clerks, PLF–[Your Name]” in the subject line. Send all materials to:

Ms. Tawnda Elling
Hiring Secretary
Pacific Legal Foundation
930 G Street
Sacramento, California 95814
phone: 916.419.7111
fax: 916.419.7747
email: attyjobs@pacificlegal.org

Applications are considered in the order received.

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to policies to achieve equitable hiring, assignment, and promotion practices. The Foundation encourages applications from all individuals interested in working to promote the principles of free enterprise, private property, limited government, and freedom of the individual.

Coalitions Manager

Pacific Legal Foundation—the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty—seeks an experienced and committed Coalitions Manager to join the outreach team at PLF, developing strategic coalitions and partnerships that advance PLF’s legal, legislative, administrative, and public education goals.

The outreach team is a new capability, part of our strategic plan to define the next generation public interest law firm. Reporting to the Outreach Director, Rachel Swaffer, the Coalitions Manager is responsible for developing and executing a strategic plan that promotes PLF’s cutting edge litigation and policy goals, working with groups and individuals on issues ranging from city councils to the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, the Coalitions Manager will work with multiple internal stakeholders and external partners, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for PLF to contribute to the national conversation with our vast areas of expertise.

The primary job duties include:

• Managing coalitions for specific cases, including:
  • Assembling case coalition briefs and reports.
  • Maintaining coalition member lists and correspondence.
  • Triggering case-specific outreach activity, including briefings and events.
• Overseeing internal information management, coordination, and process integration, including metrics and reporting.
• Collaborating with litigation, legal policy, marketing, and media departments to identify and promote PLF content among key audiences.
• Managing PLF Speakers Bureau, including:
  • Identifying and pitching PLF staff for strategic speaking opportunities.
  • Tracking and reporting PLF speaking activity.
  • Working with the media team to assemble and maintain a list of available PLF experts.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key coalition contacts.
• Promoting PLF at meetings, events, and conferences.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3-5 years of experience in outreach, external affairs, government affairs, or similar.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work quickly and meet tight deadlines.
• The ability to coordinate between multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and juggle multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the liberty movement and demonstrated interest in contemporary policy discussions.
• A commitment to excellence.
• Grace under pressure.
• Public speaking experience (strongly preferred).

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLF identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedent 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. Our attorneys have nine victories before the U.S. Supreme Court—a record unmatched by anyone in the liberty movement—plus additional cases currently before the High Court with decisions pending. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court and we know how to win.

If you share our passion to vindicate the principles of freedom and individual liberty, you should be a part of PLF, no matter where you live. A national nonprofit organization, PLF has offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Bellevue, Washington. [We prefer that you work from Arlington, Virginia, but] the right candidates will have the ability to work in one of these existing locations or elsewhere—virtually or from a physical office.

TO APPLY:

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

• A resume that includes your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience.
• A cover letter explaining why PLF is the right place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.
• Materials should be emailed to Dawn Gonzales, Director of Human Resources: dgonzales@pacificlegal.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. No phone calls, please.

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.

Events Manager

Pacific Legal Foundation—the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty—seeks an experienced and committed Events Manager to join the outreach team at PLF, developing strategy and overseeing logistics for events, conferences, and speaking engagements that advance PLF’s legal, public education, and legislative goals.

The outreach team is a new capability, part of our strategic plan to define the next generation public interest law firm. Reporting to the Outreach Director, Rachel Swaffer, the Events Manager will develop and execute a plan for strategic events and conference attendance, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for PLF to contribute to the national conversation on PLF’s areas of expertise. The primary job duties are:

• Driving PLF’s conference & events strategy, coordinating activities across departments and functions with a particular emphasis on brand elevation, case support, and issue education.
• Managing all logistics and coordination for external PLF events.
• Coordinating PLF’s activities at conferences.
• Deploying conference- and event-reporting processes that allow for strategic recommendations and decision-making processes.
• Overseeing mass outreach communications, including event communications.
• Managing outreach contacts and related data.

The Events Manager is responsible for developing and executing these projects in coordination with the rest of the outreach team and other departments across the organization (litigation, legislative, communications, and fundraising). The right candidate will need a high degree of entrepreneurship and initiative to develop and execute events that promote PLF’s cutting-edge litigation and policy goals. Finally, the manager must possess an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of protecting individuals from unconstitutional government. In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• 3–5 years’ experience in events strategy, outreach, and/or project management.
• The ability to work quickly, and under tight deadlines.
• The ability to coordinate actions among multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and juggle multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Impeccable organization skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the liberty movement and demonstrated interest in contemporary policy discussions.
• A commitment to excellence.
• Grace under pressure.

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. Our attorneys have ten victories before the U.S. Supreme Court—a record unmatched by anyone in the liberty movement—plus additional cases currently before the High Court with decisions pending. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court, and we know how to win.

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has offices in Sacramento, CA; Arlington, VA; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and Bellevue, WA. We prefer that the Events Manager either work from or occasionally spend time in the Arlington, VA, office, but outstanding candidates may also work in other offices.

TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF:

• Résumé, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience.
• Cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.
• Please include “[Job Title]–[Your Name]” in the subject line of your email. In the email body, indicate your compensation requirements.
• Materials should be emailed to Dawn Gonzales, Director of Human Resources: dgonzales@pacificlegal.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. No phone calls, please.

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.

Managing Editor

Pacific Legal Foundation—the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty—seeks a managing editor who appreciates vibrant storytelling as much as writing strong ledes and destroying passive language.

PLF has more than 130 active cases across the nation, including cases before the United States Supreme Court. At the center of each case is a hero fighting for their rights after the government has trampled them. We’ve represented craft beer brewers, dancers, falconers, and farmers. We have no shortage of interesting clients, but their stories are buried in complex legalese. We need a pen-wielding Indiana Jones to uncover them and bring them out into the world.

Specifics include:

• Editing op-eds, blog posts, and magazine articles
• Shepherding the production of a quarterly magazine, Sword & Scales, from conception to print
• Pitching compelling stories
• Managing an editorial calendar
• Writing original content, when needed

This role will work as a member of an experimental and energetic team reporting to PLF’s Content Director, Jaclyn Boudreau. PLF’s communications team is growing and improving, as part of the organization’s strategic plan to define the next generation public interest law firm. As part of this plan, PLF encourages ambitious professional development plans.

As a successful candidate, you should have:

• A background in writing and editing
• A commitment to your audience, above all else
• Experience distilling complex, technical ideas into everyday language
• The ability to work collaboratively across departments and job roles

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLF 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. Our attorneys have ten victories before the U.S. Supreme Court—a record unmatched by anyone in the liberty network—plus additional cases currently before the High Court with decisions pending. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court, and we know how to win.

We strongly prefer that the Managing Editor work from PLF’s office in Arlington, VA, but exceptional candidates may be considered for other PLF offices, or virtually from home.

TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF:

• Résumé, including your experience messaging ideas affecting liberty and your professional experience.
• Cover letter detailing your sincere interest in this position and PLF.
• Two writing samples or a link to your portfolio.
• In your email, please include “Managing Editor–[Your Name]” in the subject line and indicate your compensation requirements.
• Materials should be emailed to Dawn Gonzales, Director of Human Resources: dgonzales@pacificlegal.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. No phone calls, please.

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.

Social Media & Editorial Coordinator

You: A digital-savvy wordsmith who will get people talking about PLF’s stories

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.

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 with 11 victories out of 13 cases heard by the United States Supreme Court. We also have more than 100 active cases across the nation. (Read: we have more than 100 active stories we can choose to amplify.)

We are a next generation public interest law firm. What does “next generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means you aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. You want to try new experiments. You are committed to being the best player in a constantly-changing game. And you use the world’s best practices as a benchmark for your own work.

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

60% Social Media

• Grow our digital communities
  • Facebook: Humanize and visualize our stories
  • Twitter: Embrace irreverence. Engage with fellow-travelers
  • YouTube: Encourage binge-watching
• More specifically:
  • Write content for our social media platforms
  • Create strategies to promote PLF content on social media
  • Interact with and respond to our supporters
  • Measure effectiveness and pivot activity based on results
• Run experiments to delight our audience
• Pitch content ideas based on the national conversation

30% Editorial Support

• Assist the managing editor with our quarterly magazine
• Contribute to our editorial calendar

5% – Messaging

• Master PLF’s swashbuckling voice: Honorable, Daring, Smart, Irreverent
• Participate in brainstorms, messaging meetings, and “storyfinding” sessions with clients
• Find the hero’s journey in every case and give it a hug

5% – Choose Your Own Adventure – find new ways to contribute to PLF’s communications strategy

• Write for our blog
• Become an analytics guru
• Try making a video

This role is ideal for someone with 1-3 years of experience writing for social media, a blog, or in a PR capacity.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedent 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. Our attorneys have 11 victories before the U.S. Supreme Court—a record unmatched by anyone in the liberty movement. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court and we know how to win.

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has offices in Sacramento, CA; Arlington, VA; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and Bellevue, WA. We prefer that the Social Media and Editorial Coordinator work from Arlington.

TO APPLY:

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

• Resume, including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• Cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants
• Materials should be emailed to Dawn Gonzales, Director of Human Resources: dgonzales@pacificlegal.org
• Include “[Social Media and Editorial Coordinator]-[Your Name]” in the subject line. In the email body, indicate your compensation requirements

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. No phone calls please.

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.

Legal Fellow

Pacific Legal Foundation—the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty—seeks a recent law school graduate or judicial law clerk as a Legal Fellow to significantly expand PLF’s strategic research, publications and scholarly content.

The Legal Fellow will assist in some litigation efforts, including amicus coordination for PLF cases, but the fellow’s principal role will be to advance PLF’s research and education efforts by significantly expanding PLF’s publications and scholarly content for the legal community and an educated lay audience regarding how and why PLF defends liberty and justice for all. The fellow will also help plan conferences and public events and build strong working relationships with coalition partners, the press, and other opinion leaders. The fellow will write regular blog posts, op-eds, and other articles; assist with and occasionally speak at PLF events; and help with all other aspects of PLF’s education efforts, including the annual summary of PLF’s Supreme Court filings for the press.

The ideal candidate will have a JD or the equivalent, with an exceptional academic record. The candidate must have outstanding written and oral communication skills, preferably with a record of publications demonstrating a range of writing experience. The ideal candidate will also be self-motivated, collaborative, detail oriented, and able to meet all work deadlines.

Responsibilities:

• Stay abreast of all important administrative law scholarship and developments, and produce research memos on new strategies to overturn the administrative state and on second-best legislative solutions to restore democratic/constitutional accountability.
• Author or co-author a range of blog posts, op-eds, and articles of varying length on PLF cases and priority issues, especially in administrative law.
• Work, as directed, with PLF’s strategic research director on social science research reports and other publications.
• Work with PLF litigators to help translate innovative litigation ideas, especially in the administrative law areas, into potential cases.
• Help organize and execute PLF conferences and public events in DC and elsewhere.
• Represent PLF at coalition working group meetings, coalition events, and engage in other tasks to improve relations and increase cooperation with PLF’s affinity partners.
• Help coordinate amicus efforts for PLF cases, particularly in the Supreme Court, with states, affinity partners, and non-traditional allies on given cases.
• Assist, as directed, PLF’s public policy director on special projects, including drafting model legislation and briefing Members of Congress and staff on key committees of interest.

Additional Skills/Experience Preferred:

• Advanced study or experience in administrative law issues.
• Some legal policy or congressional experience.
• Prior work history that demonstrates the above qualifications and abilities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLF identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide and promotes the same principles of liberty outside the courtroom as well. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion. Our attorneys have ten victories before the U.S. Supreme Court—a record unmatched in the liberty movement—plus additional cases currently before the High Court with decisions pending. Simply put, we know how to get cases to the Supreme Court and we know how to win.

A national nonprofit organization, PLF has offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Bellevue, Washington. We prefer the Legal Fellow to work from the Arlington, Virginia, office, but the right candidates will have the ability to work virtually or from another office part of the time.

TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF file:

• Résumé.
• Cover letter detailing:
  • your salary requirements;
  • why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants;
  • how your academic or other experiences have prepared you for this position; and
  • your interest in relocating to Arlington,VA.
• Law school transcript.

Materials should be emailed in one PDF document to Dawn Gonzales, Director of Human Resources: dgonzales@pacificlegal.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. No phone calls, please.

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.