Senior Counsel, Corporate Engagement - Alliance Defending Freedom

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please review our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives. 

Senior Counsel, Corporate Engagement

Alliance Defending Freedom is seeking a highly professional Senior Counsel located in our Lansdowne, VA office. This position promotes the strategic objectives of ADF’s corporate engagement team by contesting ESG, DEI, and other forms of corporate activism that threaten ADF’s core mission to advance the God-given right of individuals to live and speak the truth in all walks of life. Senior Counsel will work under the direct supervision of the Sr. Counsel, SVP of Corporate Engagement, and will participate heavily in developing and implementing the team’s overall strategy. Senior Counsel will conduct legal research that results in pioneering litigation to combat ESG, DEI, and other forms of corporate activism and will help litigate those cases under the supervision of ADF’s U.S. Legal Team. Senior Counsel will also help lead the team’s shareholder work, lead the team’s legislative work in collaboration with ADF’s Public Policy team, and provide legal advice to business leaders and general counsels on ESG, DEI, Title VII, and other matters connected to ADF’s mission. The applicant must have strong communication, writing, and speaking skills, be creative and innovative, and enjoy a fast work pace.

Your Essential Responsibilities:

In this position, you will:

• Conduct complex and novel legal research and analysis that leads to litigation that achieves the aims of ADF’s corporate engagement team
• Under the supervision of the U.S. Legal Team, assist litigating complex cases at appellate and trial levels, as well as before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government
• Draft and file amicus briefs in cases that intersect with the goals of ADF’s corporate engagement team
• Provide legal advice to CEOs, GCs, and other business leaders on issues related to the corporate engagement team’s work (ESG; DEI; Title VII; faith at work, etc.)
• Provide legal strategy and support to shareholders who are using the proxy process to hold companies accountable for embracing ESG and DEI
• Conduct complex and novel legal research and analysis that leads to legislative and regulatory solutions that help achieve the aims of ADF’s corporate engagement team
• Assist in drafting model legislation, preparing expert testimony, and testifying on legislation within the corporate engagement team’s area of responsibility
• Draft and review model policies/resources related to ADF’s Business Index and additional legal resources
• Conduct legal and topical research and produce memos, articles, and white papers on topics of interest to ADF’s corporate engagement team
• Network, develop relationships, and build strategic coalitions with key legal, policy, and business leaders to advance the corporate engagement team’s goals
• Handle media interviews and public speaking engagements. Represent the corporate engagement team at meetings, events, and conferences
• Work collaboratively with the ADF team and external allies

Other Responsibilities (Non-Essential):

You will be asked to perform related duties or special projects as assigned

Skills you need to succeed:

• Demonstrated knowledge of religious freedom and constitutional issues related to the ADF mission
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated high-level and effective interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain effective broad-range working relationships, and proven ability to work independently and collaboratively on internal and external teams
• Willingness to work in a frenetic and fluid environment
• Flexibility and effectiveness in handling multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing conditions
• Awareness of current political environment and on-going strategic implications that affect the corporate engagement efforts of ADF
• Knowledge of ADF’s mission and strategic objectives

Demonstrated proficiency in:

• Strong communication and relationship development skills
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Word, and Outlook
• Strong time management skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Navigating the complex structure of the legislative branch to produce desired results

Ability to:

• Professionally handle confidential information
• Make sound decisions under demanding conditions
• Problem solve
• Rapidly and with flexibility change priorities in order to respond to recent and changing legislative developments
• Work, motivate, and initiate within a team and independently
• Produce excellent written and verbal communications
• Function effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Persuade and inspire others to act
• Travel

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor's degree
• J.D., and licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction
• 10+ years experience strongly preferred

To complete your application, please attach a writing sample and copy of your transcripts to your application or if the files are too large, email to recruit@adflegal.org.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE 

 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO? 

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.