Staff Attorney

Term of Employment: Full-Time, Exempt 

Union: Bargaining Unit Position, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) 

Reports To: Litigation Program Director

Location: Remote (U.S. Based) 

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 

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.   

Role Description: 

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program accomplishes the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission by filing strategic high-impact lawsuits against government agencies, individuals, and industries that exploit animals, including factory farms, puppy mills, and roadside zoos that seek to expand the protections for animals under the law. 

Senior Staff Attorneys (Non-Supervisory) in Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Litigation Program are responsible for the day-to-day management of their assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research, filings, and other aspects of litigation. Senior Staff Attorneys (Non-Supervisory) are also responsible for assisting the Litigation Program in developing new cases. Senior Staff Attorneys (Non-Supervisory) have more experience than Staff Attorneys, and more case responsibilities.? 

How You Will Make a Difference: 

• Act as lead counsel, and be responsible for all research, filings, and other aspects of litigation, for all assigned cases and projects.  
• Research and develop novel legal theories and strategies, as well as fact patterns, for new cases.  
• Provide oversight, mentorship, and quality review of work produced by law clerks and fellows, without formal supervisory responsibilities. 
• Draft, edit, and submit amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.  
• Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on civil legal issues and procedures, and to propose, draft, proof, and/or edit content on cases and legal developments.  
• Coordinate with other programs on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components. 
• Manage pro bono and local counsel on cases with external counsel.? 
• Prepare and deliver presentations for professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. 
• Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Litigation Program cases, animal law civil cases in general, and civil procedures and legal strategy. 
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the Litigation Program and the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s strategic objectives and mission. 

Please note, this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position, which are subject to change in order to best advance ALDF’s strategic objectives and mission.

We Are Looking for Candidates With: 

• An understanding of and commitment to the vision, mission, and core values of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.  
• At least 2 years of experience successfully developing and litigating (as measured by both direct and indirect benefits) significant cases or projects, ideally as part of an organization engaged in strategic impact animal protection litigation or similar strategic impact litigation.? 
• A Juris Doctor degree and admittance to practice law in their state of residence. 
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.  
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with team members, supporters, co-workers, and other counsel.  
• A positive attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others and function well in a team-oriented work environment.  
• The ability to travel as needed to fulfill litigation obligations and for professional conferences, meetings, or other events as required. 

We Offer Competitive Compensation with Excellent Benefits, Including:  

• An annual salary of $95,100 for most geographic locations. 
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, pay is $100,105. 
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, pay is $105,110. 

To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published starting rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors. 

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available 
• 192 hours of PTO 
• 19 paid holidays 
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment 
• 16 weeks paid parental leave 
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment 
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion) 
• One-time remote work allowance of $750 
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.  

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Additional Information: 

This role is included in a collective bargaining unit that is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Certain terms and conditions of your employment, including wages and benefits, have been negotiated with the Union and are included in a collective bargaining agreement between ALDF and the Union. 

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws. 

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts.