Careers

Attorney – General Application

About our practice groups:

Property Rights are the foundation of liberty. The right to own, enjoy, and put property to productive use is a source of personal security, dignity, and prosperity, protecting the freedom of individuals to shape their destiny. We aim to achieve the same level of constitutional protection for individual rights in property as the courts accord other celebrated personal liberties.

Equality and Opportunity are the cornerstones of our civil rights. But government stands in the way of many people’s opportunities today. It has displaced the Constitution’s guarantee of liberty with policies that assail, for instance, opportunities to earn a living or pursue a quality education. And government officials disregard the Constitution’s call for equality before the law by allocating burdens or benefits to some at the expense of others, increasingly discriminating based on race, sex, or group entitlement. PLF’s equality and opportunity cases aim to secure equal freedom for all. We work to dismantle unconstitutional barriers to opportunity, freeing individuals to rise based on their choices, character, and ability.

Separation of Powers between the branches is crucial: Allowing powers to accumulate in any government body is, as James Madison said, “the very definition of tyranny.” Our Constitution established three separate branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. And yet, the American administrative state has grown into a Leviathan. Today, a sea of regulatory agencies has seized more power—becoming lawmaker, executive, and judge—to exert greater control over our lives. PLF fights to rein in this unconstitutional “fourth branch” and to restore the proper structure of our government.

Environment and Natural Resources roots itself in the belief that human creativity, unleashed through liberty, solves problems and expands the world’s potential. We defend the freedom to use public and private land productively by protecting constitutional limits on government power and promoting abundance through innovation. At PLF, we believe human ingenuity is the ultimate resources.

What PLF Attorneys get to do: 

• Litigate for Liberty: Be on the front lines of the fight for individual freedom by litigating strategic lawsuits against government abuse. Lead cases that challenge unconstitutional laws, regulations, and policies that threaten equality and opportunity, property rights, and the separation of powers.
• Generate High-Impact Cases: Develop new cases and run with them consistent with your experience level. We have needs for junior attorneys and seasoned veterans who can run a case from an initial complaint through the Supreme Court. We want confident self-starters who think big and aim high.
• Advocate for Shared Moral and Constitutional Principles: We win in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. You will speak with journalists, the public, allied organizations, trade groups, and academics to advance our litigation objectives and mission.

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 work from home offices across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually.

To Apply:

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

• Your resume or C.V., including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• In the application screener, tell us why PLF is the place for you.

This posting is not an active job opening. However, we are preparing for rapid growth and will contact you directly if we see a potential fit.

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.

Separation of Powers Attorney

Fully Remote • Work from Anywhere in the U.S.

You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for the separation of powers and liberty. You want to find and win cutting-edge constitutional cases across the country. You want to fight the administrative state. You are a natural leader who will help elevate PLF attorneys to be the best litigators in the nation.

Them: Federal and state agencies that are abusing their power and stripping Americans of their rights. There’s no shortage of agencies that ignore the Constitution’s separation of powers. But fortunately, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause—the very sort of swashbucklers who work 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 at the Court—including three victories last term. We also have nearly two hundred active cases across the nation.

We are a next-generation public interest law firm. That 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 generate and lead high-profile cases in PLF’s Separation of Powers practice group. Your ideas will help shape PLF strategy by identifying and litigating emerging separation of powers theories. You will give speeches, appear in media, and publishop-eds and scholarly articles on cutting edge issues in administrative and constitutional law.

You will work on teams with other top-notch attorneys, applying your skills, knowledge, and passion every day. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. You will be at the leading edge of Constitutional law in America.

In a nutshell, we’re seeking experienced attorneys to help us continue our legacy of success. You must be passionate about liberty, the Constitution, and fighting the administrative state, confident and magnanimous, and a bold and relentless freedom fighter.

Your specific job duties will include:

• Generating and litigating high-impact cases: As an experienced litigator, you will take ownership of established cases while also developing and driving your own. We want confident self-starters who think big and aim high.
• Setting the Agenda: Every attorney on the team helps develop successful strategies so we can keep the victories coming.
• Advocating for separation of powers: We win in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. You will speak with organizations, trade groups, academics, students and the public to advance our strategic goals. (A deep knowledge of the moral and constitutional basis for the Constitution’s structural protections is a huge plus.)
• Writing persuasively for all audiences: You will write briefs, op-eds, journal articles, blog posts, and more.

This role is ideal for someone with:

• 3+ years of experience
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills
• A knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• A strong work ethic
• A willingness to travel
• Litigation experience
• A clerkship or work with a state or federal agency

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 work from home offices across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually.

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.

Salary Range and Benefits:

To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply.

To apply:

Qualified candidates should fill out the questionnaire and 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 the liberty movement and relevant professional experience
• A legal writing sample

Data Security Analyst

You: An early-career IT professional eager to explore the security side of technology while building a foundation in hands-on IT support. You’re curious about how systems work, excited to learn from experienced security professionals, and motivated by the challenge of protecting organizational data. You thrive on solving technical problems, take pride in helping colleagues work efficiently and securely, and are comfortable following established processes while you develop your expertise. You’re looking for a role that will expose you to both day-to-day IT operations and the fascinating world of cybersecurity. Most importantly, you are customer focused, detail oriented, and eager to contribute to PLF’s mission through reliable technology support and disciplined data protection.

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 U.S. Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 20 cases heard by the Court. We also have nearly two 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:

This is an in office role that combines hands-on IT support with entry-level security operations. You’ll be the go-to person for our DC office (Arlington, VA) technology needs while gaining significant exposure to cybersecurity practices under the guidance of our Security Operations Manager. This role is designed as a learning opportunity, you’ll handle security tasks that follow established procedures while developing the skills and knowledge to potentially specialize in security as your career progresses.

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

IT Operations & Support

• Serve as primary IT support for DC office staff. Troubleshooting printers, setting up AV equipment for meetings and moot courts, and resolving general technical issues.
• Manage IT hardware inventory: monitors, keyboards & mice, cables, and other peripherals to prevent waste and ensure availability.
• Configure and set up laptops and workstations for new hires, ensuring devices are ready on day one.
• Coordinate onboarding logistics including parking passes, metro cards, and physical security access (key fobs).
• Track devices throughout their lifecycle—from deployment through employee departure.
• Maintain a ready supply of configured devices to streamline the onboarding process.

Security Operations:

• Helping maintain PLF’s access control program by assisting with least-privilege reviews, entitlement checks, and regular access audits.
• Assisting with onboarding and separation checklists to provision and deprovision system access.
• Supporting monitoring activities to identify anomalies, inappropriate data access, or potential policy violations.
• Helping coordinate and maintain documentation related to incident response, risk assessments, and data governance activities.
• Assisting with evaluating third-party security practices to help ensure vendors meet PLF’s data protection expectations.
• Supporting periodic reviews and updates of PLF’s security documentation and guidance materials.
• Assisting with the execution of PLF’s security awareness program by helping create training materials, reminders, and guidance for staff.
• Participating in internal data-related audits, compliance activities, and record-keeping efforts to ensure adherence to PLF policies.

This role is ideal for someone with:

• 1-3 years of experience in security/IAM, help desk, or related roles with demonstrated experience in IT support or help desk operations.
• Experience working with helpdesk ticketing systems (Freshdesk, Zendesk, ServiceNow, or similar).
• Strong customer service orientation, you genuinely enjoy helping people solve technical problems.
• Strong analytical skills and an investigative mindset.
• Excellent communication skills and professional fluency in English (written and verbal) to effectively handle documentation, incident response, and explain technical concepts to non-technical staff.
• A willingness to earn security certifications (Security+, Okta, etc.) as needed.
• An understanding of and commitment to the organization’s mission and vision for individual liberty.

Bonus points for:

• A solid understanding of how user accounts, permissions, and access controls work in cloud-based systems, along with general identity lifecycle concepts.
• Assisting with onboarding and separation workflows, including helping ensure accounts, access, and data permissions are set appropriately and securely.
• Experience with Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Okta, Azure AD/Entra, Intune, or similar cloud platforms.
• Awareness of modern IT security threats (malware, phishing, credential theft, spoofing, ransomware, AI-generated attacks, etc.).
• Familiarity with EDR tools, email security (CrowdStrike, Darktrace), and DLP systems.

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 work from home offices across the country. This role is based in our Arlington, Virginia office and requires the ability to work on-site.

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.

Salary Range and Benefits

To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Resume

Thank you for your interest! Please note that only applications submitted through this posting will be reviewed. We ask that you do not contact us directly about the role. We will reach out to candidates selected for an interview.

Media Relations Manager

Fully Remote • Work from Anywhere in the U.S.

You: A live wire who thrives on speed, relationships, and results. You’re quicker on the draw than a 1980s Wall Street trader. You live and breathe the news cycle, know what makes a story irresistible, and can get it in front of the right reporter before the competition even sees it coming. You have the instincts of a journalist, the charm of a publicist, and a passion for advancing liberty.

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—so far. We have nearly 200 hundred active cases nationwide 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:

As PLF’s next Media Relations Manager, you’ll have one mission: securing prestige and attention for our work—fast. Earning it by pitching stories, booking interviews, and building trust with journalists who can shape national conversations. You’ll move quickly to spot opportunities, weighing what a moment calls for and then making it happen. In every case, success depends on relationships—with reporters, editors, and producers who can put PLF’s work in front of the audiences who matter most — and a keen understanding of the news media.

This role reports to the Media Relations Director.

Your specific job duties will likely include:

• Crafting and delivering compelling earned media pitches tied to case launches, legal rulings, and other newsworthy developments
• Booking PLF attorneys and other spokespeople for interviews and media appearances
• Monitoring the news cycle to identify opportunities to inject PLF’s work into current events
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with editorial contacts at key media outlets—including reporters, producers, and bookers

This role is ideal for someone with:

• A team-oriented, can-do attitude, and the willingness to pitch in however needed
• 3+ years of experience in earned media (e.g., pitching, booking, journalism, PR); background in broadcast journalism is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, especially the ability to distill complex ideas into concise, persuasive pitches
• A sharp eye for news and the instincts to act quickly when opportunities arise
• The ability to handle multiple assignments at once, work quickly, and meet deadlines on time
• Familiarity or experience with Agile/Scrum methodology is a plus
• Experience using project management software in a team setting (we use Asana) is a plus

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. Working from the Arlington, Virginia, office is a plus for this role, although candidates will be considered for work from any office or home office.

Minimal travel required, including attendance at annual staff retreats (locations vary) and occasional press conferences.

This is a full-time, permanent position. PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide and offers 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 culture. 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.

Salary range and benefits:

To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:

• Your resume, including your 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 short pitch that you would send to a reporter to get them to cover a PLF case

Property Rights Attorney

Fully Remote • Work from Anywhere in the U.S.

You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for property rights in courtrooms across the nation. You work with experienced attorneys to find and win cutting-edge property rights cases in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. You work as a part of a collaborative team, but are also self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision. You are eager to learn, relentless, and a focused professional.

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 against the little guys, backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, 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 property rights swashbucklers 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 and protecting the fundamental right to property as the “guardian of every other right.” PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 17 victories in the Court. We also are actively litigating more than a hundred cases in trial and appellate courtrooms across the country.

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 a courtroom lawyer in PLF’s Property Rights Practice Group, working alongside a dedicated team to find and litigate cases. We take our cases to state and federal courts at every level. From Nollan to Koontz to Knick to Wilkins, Cedar Point Nursery, and Tyler, PLF’s property rights litigation is unparalleled. You will help find and win the next important property rights case, with the goal of becoming recognized as a nationwide leader in property rights litigation. You will also occasionally have opportunities to speak at conferences or with the media about your cases or important property rights issues.

You will be a key contributor to PLF’s Property Rights practice group. You will work in teams with your fellow lawyers, growing in your expertise and knowledge and elevating the team’s efforts to defend the right to own, keep, and use private property. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. At PLF, you will be at the forefront of shaping property rights for all Americans.

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

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

• Winning property rights cases! Finding, developing, and litigating important property rights cases in all levels of courtrooms, nationwide.
• Working with other attorneys to develop and litigate PLF’s property rights cases to protect the constitutional rights of Americans.

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of litigation experience or equivalent, such as judicial clerkship experience
• Passion to litigate property rights cases
• A deep understanding of the moral and constitutional basis for property rights is a huge plus
• A track record of successful legal work
• Outstanding interpersonal communications skills
• A knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• The ability and willingness to travel approximately 20% to 30% of your time

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 work from home offices across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually. This position is particularly suited for a lawyer who would like to be in one of our offices, or who is a focused and relentless self-starter eager to take advantage of our cross-country virtual office environment by proactively collaborating and communicating with colleagues, clients, and other professionals.

Salary Range and Benefits:

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. To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:

• Your resume or C.V., 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; your letter should detail your courtroom experience, including any experience in trial preparation and civil discovery.
• A recent legal writing sample, no longer than 10 pages, that demonstrates your analytical and advocacy skills.

General Application

Fully Remote • Work from Anywhere in the U.S.

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.