About Democracy Forward

Democracy Forward uses the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people.

Democracy Forward was founded five years ago, in the wake of the 2016 election, when it became clear the number and severity of threats to democracy, social progress, and the rule of law would be unprecedented.

We built an innovative legal team that took the Trump administration to court more than 100 times, successfully challenging bad actors and their unlawful policies, shutting down corrupt committees created for special interests, and exposing unfair, unreasonable policies that strip vulnerable communities of crucial protections. We secured victories that stopped abuses of power and improved the lives of millions. We filled critical gaps in the legal and regulatory infrastructure and developed a successful model for impact.

Today, we are at a pivotal point in American democracy. Across the country, extreme anti-democratic movements still seek to wield an outsized amount of political power. The Supreme Court has rolled back the rights of millions.

Our work challenging Trump-era policies prepared us for this moment and the long road ahead. We have built a dynamic and growing team of over 30 staff across the country. Our strategy for legal and regulatory engagement addresses immediate needs while seeding ground for a vibrant future – one where our democracy and government represents and works for all people.

Position Overview

Democracy Forward seeks an experienced, confident, collaborative, and detail-oriented Legal Practice Manager to support our Litigation and Legal Assistant teams.

The Legal Practice Manager will play an instrumental role in helping our legal team operate more effectively and efficiently and advancing our work at this critical moment. The Legal Practice Manager will build trust and an understanding of the goals of the legal team in order to help curate a positive, empowering, and productive experience for all legal team members.  

The Legal Practice Manager will be responsible for the management, development, and support of the legal assistants, including the management of their work allocation.

The ideal candidate will bring experience as a legal practice manager, the ability to build trust with colleagues, a thoughtful and transparent communication style, a high degree of emotional intelligence, and a passion for Democracy Forward’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with organizational and departmental leadership to direct legal assistants’ workflow and priorities
• Manage, support, and develop the Legal Assistant team, including serving as the primary point of contact for legal assistants on workflow
• Support the Legal Directors and Democracy Forward’s litigators in the day-to-day management of the Legal Assistant team, including the management of new matter openings and matter close-outs, documentretention, conflicts, tracking of legal matters, and file management
• Develop relationships with teams to foster trust and confidence in the function and role of manager
• Conduct regular check-ins with the Legal Assistant team and Litigation team to ensure appropriate resource allocation and excellent work product
• Provide training, development, feedback, and opportunities for growth for the Legal Assistant team
• Develop and implement comprehensive legal assistant onboarding and ongoing training programs as well as legal practice policies
• Assist with the onboarding of new litigation hires
• Collaborate across teams, including regular collaboration with Communications, Policy, Research, Operations, and Executive teams

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience with a record of achievement and increasing responsibility in a litigation setting, with demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the functions of a law practice
• Experience managing complex workflows and mentoring and training junior Legal Assistant team members
• Superb interpersonal skills, with an impressive history of forging strong relationships with stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to Democracy Forward’s mission
• Self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Commitment to workplace inclusion and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations using tact and diplomacy
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop relationships of trust and confidence with colleagues
• Outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

Location, Salary, and Benefits

This position is based is based in the Washington, DC area, and candidates must work in Democracy Forward’s Washington, DC offices as needed, likely several days each week.

Democracy Forward provides a competitive, lockstep, and transparent compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000 based on years of relevant experience and seniority.

To Apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter at https://grossmansolutions.applytojob.com/apply.  The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and tells us about your interest in our work and what you would bring to the role. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Democracy Forward is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply.

Meet some but not all of our qualifications? Don’t let that deter you from applying. If you believe that you could excel inour organization and believe in our mission, we hope you apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array ofcandidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to non-profit or legal work, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we hope to hear from you.