Oversight Attorney
About the Company
Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education, and regulatory engagement. Across the country, from local school boards to the halls of Congress, extreme, anti-democratic movements seek to wield political power and roll back our rights. At this critical moment where those who were responsible for January 6th have returned to power, we must use the law to defend our democracy and build for a better future.
The courts are now the frontline in the battleground for democracy, not merely the last resort protectors of it.In towns and cities across America, Democracy Forward provides legal representation and expert counsel to people and communities who make up the very fabric of American democracy—free of charge. We also leverage our collective power and the law to hold anti-democratic actors to account at the national level. Our strategic pillars incorporate immediate defensive needs and a longer-term, proactive view in this fight for our democracy, our present, and our future. We leverage creativity, legal excellence, and our team’s unique mix of expertise and diverse experience in service of an unyielding determination to make our future better than our past.
About the Job
Democracy Forward seeks a highly collaborative Oversight Attorney to join its Oversight & Strategic Initiatives team and advance its oversight and investigations work, primarily through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and litigation. The Oversight Attorney will report to the Director of Oversight and/or Senior Oversight Counsel.
Responsibilities
Partner with Democracy Forward’s Senior Oversight Counsel in litigating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in federal court and other litigation matters as assigned, on behalf of Democracy Forward and other clients
Assist Senior Oversight Counsel in designing litigation strategy, and managing day-to-day case management
Perform legal research and draft legal documents, including administrative appeals for FOIA requests, and other court filings in FOIA litigation
Maintain active communication and follow up with FOIA or open records officers in government agencies as DF’s point of contact for assigned active open records requests, or manage such correspondence handled by other team members
Develop and draft (or consult on) FOIA requests designed to advance DF’s broader strategy (independent of its FOIA litigation). Work closely with litigation case teams to accomplish this
Work with DF’s oversight team to research and develop investigation strategies and opportunities consistent with relevant federal and state open records laws
Qualifications
JD required
Recent law school graduate, up to 2 years of experience clerking or litigating
Demonstrated experience with legal, policy, and media databases and tools, including Westlaw, Docket Alarm, and PACER
Experience analyzing a significant volume of court decisions and litigation documents in a timely and accurate manner
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Experience working on teams in a collaborative structure
Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities and be nimble and flexible in response to fast-moving threats
Ability to process large amounts of information and develop strategic responses with limited oversight
Attention to detail
Demonstrated excellence in organizational and communication skills
A commitment to Democracy Forward’s values of excellence, inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and impact
Demonstrated commitment to democracy and social progress
