Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements

Tradition. Innovation. A superb faculty. Hundreds of course offerings — and all of this just steps away from the Capitol and Supreme Court. Georgetown Law is an exceptional institution in an enviable location. Students come here from all over the world to study international or tax law, environmental or health care law (just a few of our specialties). They come here for our top-ranked clinics. Most of all, they come because this is the place where theory and practice meet. At Georgetown, students learn the law in the place where laws are made.

The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) Special Litigation Counsel will drive results in complex, fast-moving, high-impact litigation to defend key constitutional rights and values, as well as related legal rights. They will do so by employing diverse litigation experience as well as exceptional legal abilities. The ICAP Special Litigation Counsel’s responsibilities will include:

Conceptualize and effectuate high-impaction litigation in defense of constitutional rights and values, ensuring that Georgetown Law students are meaningfully and materially integrated into those litigation efforts. 

Engage in factual development and legal research and draw on legal research provided by students, research assistants, and other ICAP attorneys to assist in conceiving of and then driving constitutional impact litigation strategies in close coordination with the Institute’s Legal Director, Supreme Court Director, and Executive Director. 

Determine when litigation represents a promising mechanism for pursuing the defense of constitutional rights, conceptualizing how litigation might be used in such circumstances and exploring the possibilities of filing such a suit—to include the identification of, and outreach to, potential plaintiffs and partner organizations. 

Drawing on high-level previous litigation and legal writing experience and the years of feedback received on it, carefully draft, revise, and edit briefing materials to be filed in court pertaining to those cases, at times with ultimate responsibility for the filings themselves.

Assist in mooting the oral advocates presenting and arguing the cases, presenting evidence and oral argument directly in courts, potentially at all levels of the state and federal court systems.

Often assume the lead role in individual cases, subject to the supervision of the Legal Director, Supreme Court Director, and Executive Director.

Take a lead role in policy initiatives related to ICAP’s litigation, including the preparation of legislative and administrative proposals, legal guidance, and public education materials.

Closely support ICAP's leadership in overseeing a practicum seminar designed to involve Georgetown Law students in understanding the nature of constitutional impact litigation and in contributing to ICAP's work.

Identify opportunities for, then develop and act on, litigation strategies and tactics in extremely complex court cases, including cases involving multiple plaintiffs and defendants; class actions; cases involving a wide range of legal claims, potentially to include a mix of federal-law and state- law claims; and cases arising in federal courts as well as in state courts around the country.

Work Interactions

The ICAP Special Litigation Counsel will be supervised by ICAP's Executive Director, Legal Director, and Supreme Court Director. The ICAP Special Litigation Counsel will work closely with ICAP's other attorneys engaged in factual development and legal research and writing in support of ICAP's litigation and policy efforts. Additionally, the ICAP Special Litigation Counsel will coordinate directly with ICAP’s co-counsel and other partners in litigation and policy work and, moreover, will interact with other Georgetown Law faculty supporting ICAP's work on particular cases and with students participating in the practicum seminar offered in connection with ICAP’s work. All told, the ICAP Special Litigation Counsel will be essential to fulfilling ICAP's mission of harnessing the talent and expertise of Georgetown Law's faculty and students in designing and effectuating strategically selected, complex constitutional litigation on cutting-edge issues and exposing the law school community, including students in the ICAP practicum, to such work in meaningful ways.

Requirements and Qualifications

J.D. required

Must have a demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative litigation and/or policy strategies

Must have experience teaching and/or supervising students or supervising other attorneys

Prefer at least 10 years of experience in legal work after law school, including federal court clerkships, experience in impact litigation, and/or legal policy experience

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as Hybrid 2 Days. Work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University.  Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply. Georgetown University provides equal opportunity in employment for all persons, and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment in all aspects of employment because of age, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, personal appearance, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other factor prohibited by law. Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to reachICAP@georgetown.edu.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:

Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

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Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at Georgetown University you must submit a resume for each position of interest for which you believe you are qualified. Documents are not kept on file for future positions.

Need Assistance:

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.

Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown's commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website.

EEO Statement:

Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits:

Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work-life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options. You can learn more about benefits and eligibility on the Department of Human Resources website.