Legislative Affairs Program Fellow

Overview

Who We Are
:
The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

Description

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

The Legislative Affairs Program Fellow will develop resources and execute strategic legislative activities to advance priority animal protection legislation. The Legislative Affairs Fellow is responsible for the day-to-day management of assigned projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary outreach, research, and writing. The Legislative Affairs Fellow is exposed to a wide range of policy initiatives where they will gain experience with – and knowledge of – animal protection issues, legislative campaigns, and advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level.

Legislative Affairs Program Fellowships further the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

• Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning legislation including tracking and analysis.
• Develop skills through participating in legislative campaigns at the local, state, and federal level.
• Manage drafting, editing, and submission of support/opposition memos and testimony on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on Legislative Affairs Program work and to propose, draft, proof, and/or edit content on legislation.
• Coordinate, as needed, with other programs, including the Litigation Program, Criminal Justice Program, Animal Law Program, Transparency and Regulatory Affairs Program and Pro Bono Programs.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the Legislative Affairs Program and the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission.

We Are Looking For Candidates With
:

• Juris Doctor, excellent performance in law school, and admission (either anticipated or already granted) to practice law in at least one state;
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Solutions-oriented mindset;
• Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with others in a team-oriented work environment;
• Experience with basic software applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and internet browsers;
• Commitment to working with integrity;
• A commitment to building and participating in an inclusive workplace;
• Understand and be committed to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund;
• The ability to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats (estimated 1-3 trips annually);
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

Competitive Compensation With Excellent Benefits

• Starting annual…