Building the Bench Counsel

About Alliance for Justice and the Role

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national coalition of over 140 organizations committed to progressive ideals and the promotion of a fair, equitable, and just society. Headquartered in Washington, DC, AFJ operates with remote personnel across the country. The Building the Bench Counsel is a pivotal position within the Justice Team aimed at shaping the judiciary by developing a diverse and highly qualified pool of state and federal judicial nominees. This role supports AFJ and AFJ Action Campaign’s goals to transform the courts through strategic candidate identification, training, advocacy, and coalition building.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify promising judicial candidates, focusing on enhancing diversity in professional experience and demographics.
• Manage and coordinate nominee research efforts with various partners, including law firms and volunteers.
• Edit and produce materials such as research reports, fact sheets, and opinion pieces related to federal and state court nominees.
• Maintain and enhance data tracking systems including spreadsheets and databases essential for candidate recruitment and program effectiveness.
• Explore and apply new technologies to improve research, outreach, and program operations.
• Collaborate with the Building the Bench Director on strategy development and priority setting for judicial candidate pipelines.
• Create and revise communications content including digital and print materials for public engagement and advocacy.
• Engage with legislative and executive contacts in conjunction with court teams.
• Build and nurture relationships with legal professionals, community leaders, and partner organizations to identify and support candidates.
• Coordinate with both state and federal teams on judicial gatekeeper relations.
• Represent AFJ at conferences and briefings, delivering presentations about BtB initiatives.
• Identify and honor distinguished judges through outreach to their clerk networks and assist in organizing related events.
• Contribute to coalition efforts focused on magistrate judge vacancies and nominations.
• Support advisory councils and boards related to BtB efforts.
• Perform other duties as required to advance AFJ’s justice initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a minimum of two years’ experience in law, policy analysis, advocacy, or related nonprofit public interest work.
• Proficient in spreadsheet software (Google Sheets, Excel) and adept at managing data to inform strategic decisions.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance operations and research.
• Experience with judicial pipelines, clerkships, civil rights, labor, consumer law, public interest, or constitutional law preferred.
• Strong legal research aptitude and ability to quickly learn judicial appointment processes and laws.
• Established networking skills within progressive legal and coalition environments.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously across diverse areas and geographies.
• Excellent communication skills tailored to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to supporting underrepresented groups and promoting diversity.
• Comfort and effectiveness working remotely, with responsiveness in virtual settings.
• Experience with CRM systems and project management tools is advantageous.
• Initiative in improving systems and processes.
• Maintains confidentiality and works collegially under pressure with shifting priorities.
• Strong dedication to civil rights, social justice, and advocacy for the judicial system.
• Positive interpersonal skills and attitude.

Preferred Experience

• Background in federal or state judicial nominations or court reform initiatives.
• Knowledge of vacancy and selection systems for Article III, magistrate, and state appellate judgeships.
• Collaborative experience with national or state progressive coalitions and civil rights entities.

Traits for Success

• Strategic thinker connecting daily tasks with long-term goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills facilitating trust within legal and community networks.
• Meticulous in data management and capable of overseeing multifaceted projects across judicial systems.
• Committed advocate for civil rights and bench diversification.

Compensation and Benefits

This union role falls under the Washington-Baltimore News Guild collective bargaining agreement, with a starting salary range of $93,425 to $103,582 based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include fully employer-paid medical, dental, vision coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, flexible spending accounts, and comprehensive paid leave including vacation, sick days, bereavement, and family leave.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Work location is remote within the contiguous United States.
• Office-based work with frequent computer use and communication tasks.
• Periodic travel (1-4 times per year) for events like retreats or work meetings.
• Standard workweek from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• No direct reports as this is an exempt position.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

AFJ is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, valuing varied perspectives to foster a welcoming and empowering workplace. The organization prohibits discrimination and harassment based on numerous protected characteristics including race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, and more. Employment practices comply with all applicable laws and aim to provide equal opportunity throughout recruitment and employment processes.

Additional Information

This job description offers an outline of the role and is not exhaustive. Duties and expectations may evolve. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume; phone inquiries are not accepted.