Staff Attorney & Counsel Openings at Government Watchdog

[jo...@americanoversight.org]

American Oversight is hiring!

Come join a team of extraordinary lawyers bringing accountability to bear on the Trump administration. Through open records requests, backed by aggressive litigation, American Oversight attorneys shine a light on corruption, malfeasance, and other misconduct. The organization is uniquely positioned to drive accountability in 2019 and 2020, working in parallel with congressional investigators to ensure that facts matter and bad actors are scrutinized.

If you’ve thought about jumping into the fight and putting your legal and litigation skills to work for the truth, American Oversight wants to hear from you. You can make a difference here. You can make administration officials answer for their conduct. You can help supercharge congressional investigations and investigative journalism. You also get to wake up in the morning feeling like you’re fighting the good fight -- alongside an extraordinary team of amazing and friendly professionals.

American Oversight emphasizes litigation experience when hiring attorneys. While working on a broad range of substantive issues -- from EPA policy, to corruption concerns at DOJ, to interference with the 2020 Census -- our lawyers are litigators first and foremost. They file pleadings, engage in extended meet-and-confers with opposing counsel, and battle to enforce the public’s right to transparency. The organization shares the fruits of our litigation with others, including the press, other nonprofits, Congress, and the public, to ensure they have an impact. Our litigators are key to the entire mission.

Lawyers also play a key role, in conjunction with our investigations team, in identifying ideas for potential FOIA requests, developing investigation strategies, crafting effective FOIA requests, and identifying issues in records produced in response to our requests.

American Oversight is looking for attorneys with varying degrees of experience. Our Staff Attorneys typically have between one and four years of litigation experience; our Counsels have six or more years of litigation experience.

The ideal candidate will have familiarity with government record-keeping and/or government ethics laws. Familiarity with the operation of the federal government would also be helpful.

We are a small team in a fast-paced environment. Collegiality and ability to work effectively on multiple projects, balance priorities, and excel in a team-based environment is essential.

This position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Chief Counsel.

Core Responsibilities

• Litigate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state open records act requests. Draft court pleadings, including complaints, motions, and briefs.
• Engage in legal and factual research, discovery, depositions, motions practice, brief writing, appellate work and amicus briefs.
• Review and research current events to spot potential legal issues and to identify opportunities to uncover government malfeasance or unethical conduct.
• Work with investigations team to research and develop investigation strategies.
• Draft FOIA and state open records act requests.
• Interact with executive branch FOIA and state agency open records personnel.
• Prepare reports, letters, and speeches.
• Work with communications and investigations teams on messaging materials.
• Represent American Oversight in meetings with allies and coalition partners.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy.
• Ideally at least one year of litigation experience.
• Law degree and admission to practice in at least one state (DC preferred, or eligibility to join).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and/or government ethics laws helpful.
• Exceptional legal writing, research, and verbal communications skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management abilities.
• An interest in government ethics and accountability.
• Sound judgment and ability to analyze situations and information.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Outstanding communications skills.

Additional Information

American Oversight is an equal opportunity employer.  Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous and comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

Please send application materials, including a cover letter describing relevant experience and interest, resume, and writing sample to jo...@americanoversight.org.