First Amendment Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Position: Policy Counsel 

Terms of Employment: Temporary Full-Time / Exempt / Local 2320 Union / Post Grad (NYCLU funded for 2-3 years). NYCLU staff is currently working in a hybrid model; a number of in-person days will be required.

Location: 55 Broadway, New York, NY 10006

Salary: $90,000 - $105,000 (2-5 Years Experience Post Law School)

Application Deadline:  Applications will be considered starting on May 15, 2026, and will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties.  Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and eight offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org. 

The NYCLU is committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace that centers the voices of marginalized and directly impacted communities. This commitment strengthens our mission to protect civil liberties and advance justice across New York. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and others whose experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

The NYCLU Policy Department seeks an attorney with 2-5 years of experience for a three-year internally funded position. The Policy Counsel will primarily work with Policy team members to support the team's immigration, policing, and/or criminal legal system reform policy dockets, though may also be staffed on work involving privacy and surveillance, protest, First Amendment rights, good government, and defensive work.

The NYCLU's Policy Department implements and monitors legislative and policy initiatives across the state that implicate constitutional rights and liberties. The Policy Department drafts and supports affirmative legislation that advances constitutional freedoms, and opposes laws, rules, and policies that would compromise those freedoms. The work of the Policy Department includes (a) representing the NYCLU at the state legislative session in Albany, (b) monitoring and advocating before the New York City Council, (c) engaging in advocacy with other municipal bodies, in close collaboration with the NYCLU's regional offices, and (d) engaging in rulemaking and implementation efforts. This work involves technical research, extensive written analysis and commentary, direct lobbying of and engagement with lawmakers and agency officials, collaboration with our Legal Department on litigation, collaboration with our Field Organizing team on campaign priorities, public education and testimony, close collaboration with colleagues to supervise and manage campaign work, strategic communications and media in close collaboration with our colleagues from the Communications team, and coalition building that engages NYCLU members and allied organizations. The successful candidate will implement these strategies in advancing their docket.

We are seeking a candidate who thrives in a collaborative organization and can skillfully handle diverse approaches to advance policy reform. The successful candidate is a creative thinker and collaborates well both internally and with external partners. Counsels must work closely with the NYCLU's Policy, Legal, Field Organizing, and Communications Departments.

The Counsel will report to the Policy Director. 

• Conduct legal research and analysis on issues involving immigration, police reform, criminal legal system change, privacy and surveillance, protest, First Amendment rights, and good government.
• Engage in legislative and administrative advocacy, including by: 
  • Developing legal and policy positions on local and state legislation, agency actions, proposed rules, directives, and ballot measures. 
  • Drafting and editing legislation and model policies. 
  • Drafting comments to proposed rules and regulations. 
  • Drafting public education materials, such as know your rights guides and public policy reports. 
  • Writing and providing testimony.
  • Sharing expertise with policymakers. 
• Work with Policy team members and other NYCLU departments and centers to advance the NYCLU's public policy initiatives.
• Represent the NYCLU in lobby visits, and at community events, coalition meetings, panels and rallies.
• Assist in coordination of public events.
• Respond to requests for support from NYCLU chapters and the public.
• Actively support the NYCLU's internal and external commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Required

• J.D. degree.
• 2-5 years of experience in legal or public policy advocacy.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.
• Initiative, vision, and ability to develop and implement short and long-term policy strategies utilizing a broad range of political and legal tactics.
• Strong communications skills, including the ability to communicate in both writing and verbally to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• An understanding of the legislative process, and experience in organizing and working with coalitions to achieve public policy goals.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and manage multiple issues at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project and time management skills, including a high level of organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Demonstrated experience engaging in creative problem solving, strategic flexibility, and good judgment.
• Ability to develop allies and work collaboratively and diplomatically.
• A strong commitment to diversity and a personal approach that values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Willingness to travel within New York State for speaking events, meetings, and conferences.

If you would like to be considered for this position, please submit via  https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4114732/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Policy-Counsel-Term-Limited  as a single PDF document (1) a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and describing your qualifications, (2) and up-to-date resume, and (3) a policy- or legal- related writing sample of your choosing, reflecting your own work and not to exceed 10 pages. A wide variety of writing samples may be submitted, such as blogs, op-eds, advocacy letters, memos in opposition or support of policy proposals, comments submitted as part of a rule-making process, legal memos outlining an issue or policy proposal, legal briefs, etc. 

The NYCLU will start considering applications on May 15, 2026, and will continue to review them until the position is filled. 

The NYCLU is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

The NYCLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail ldecicco@nyclu.org  If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

This position may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.