Staff Attorney / Senior Attorney, Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research

About the position Democracy Forward Foundation ("Democracy Forward") is seeking a highly collaborative and analytically rigorous attorney to join its Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research team. This role will help lead the organization's monitoring and engagement in the federal regulatory process and support its litigation and advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate has a strong background in administrative law, legal research and writing, and a demonstrated commitment to pro-democracy and progressive causes. This position is full-time and located in Washington, DC, with flexibility for remote work, requiring regular in-office presence. Remote candidates within the United States will be considered, with expected travel to DC 1-2 times per quarter if outside the DC area. The attorney will report to the Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research and collaborate with various internal teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Regulatory Affairs & Legal Research in monitoring federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules, executive actions, and other administrative actions.
• Analyze proposed rulemakings and administrative actions to identify opportunities for engagement.
• Draft public comments, responses to requests for information, and other regulatory submissions.
• Assist in coordinating timely responses to regulatory actions, including partner engagement and related advocacy materials.
• Help maintain systems for identifying, tracking, and prioritizing rulemakings of strategic interest.
• Prepare and deliver verbal and written presentations and briefings on legal and regulatory developments to internal teams and external partners.
• Help build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, policy experts, and external stakeholders to strengthen the broader pro-democracy coalition.
• Conduct rigorous legal research and analysis on emerging administrative, constitutional, and regulatory legal issues to inform Democracy Forward’s litigation and advocacy strategies.
• Draft high-quality legal work product—including legal memoranda, issue area guides, and policy papers—that explain complex legal issues for a range of audiences.
• Support the development and maintenance of internal research infrastructure to enable rapid, high-quality analysis across teams.
• Track legal and policy developments in key issue areas and provide regular updates to internal teams and coalition partners.
• Advance proactive engagement in the pro-democracy movement through research and analysis that supports affirmative litigation, amicus briefs, and coalition partnerships.

Requirements

• J.D. required; active membership in good standing in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia, or ability to become admitted.
• Demonstrated experience with legal research and writing, including the ability to produce clear, precise, and persuasive written work product
• Experience with or demonstrated interest in federal regulatory processes, Administrative Procedure Act litigation, and/or public-interest legal advocacy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal doctrine for non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing deadlines and priorities and be nimble and flexible in response to fast-moving legal and policy developments.
• Experience working on teams in a collaborative structure.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to Democracy Forward’s values of excellence, inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and impact.
• Demonstrated commitment to democracy and social progress.

Nice-to-haves

• 3-6 years of relevant legal experience for Attorney role, 7+ years of relevant experience for Senior Attorney role.

Benefits

• excellent benefits