Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund seek a Staff Attorney. This job will report to a Managing Senior Staff Attorney/Managing Senior Counsel in the Public Policy, Litigation and Law (L&L) department, within the Legal division of PPFA. L&L provides legal advice to, and when appropriate conducts litigation in, state and federal courts across the country on behalf of PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in order to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care.
Purpose:
The primary responsibilities of the attorney in this position will revolve around conducting significant and high-visibility litigation on behalf of PPFA or Planned Parenthood affiliates, and providing legal advice to PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates about legal issues such as pending legislation, regulatory matters, and activities of those opposed to Planned Parenthood that interfere with our ability to provide comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion.
Engagement:
The attorney in this position will work closely with the members of the PPL&L team, as well as with affiliate leadership and staff; other PPFA colleagues; coalition partners; and outside counsel.
Delivery:
The attorney in this position will conduct litigation in state and federal courts across the country. The Staff Attorney may have opportunities, over time, to draft trial court and appellate briefs and other filings; conduct discovery, including through document production and depositions; prepare fact and expert witnesses for deposition and trial testimony; present evidence and argument in state and federal court; communicate with clients, co-counsel, and opposing counsel; and review communications materials and respond to media inquiries. A staff attorney at the very junior end of the experience range should expect their initial responsibilities to primarily be discrete research and drafting projects.
The attorney in this position will be engaged in work related to pending legislation and regulatory matters; advising clients in navigating a rapidly shifting post-Roe environment, including by working closely with operational and clinical personnel both at PPFA and at affiliates; and coordinating with internal and external partners on litigation and related strategies, among other responsibilities.
Current key areas of activity include litigation, risk advising, and responding to federal and state attacks relating to abortion access, gender affirming care, and participation in public funding programs such as Medicaid and Title X.
The attorney in this position will also support the career development of interns and paralegals and contribute to L&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
Bachelor’s degree and JD required.
Bar Admission: Eligible to practice in New York or Washington, DC
3-6 years of legal practice. Established interest in public interest work, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and/or impact litigation is a plus, but not mandatory.
Relevant skills and experience include:
Trial court and/or appellate drafting and argument experience
Litigating Administrative Procedure Act claims
Litigating or advising on issues arising under the Medicaid Act or other federal funding programs
Experience working on trans rights issues and/or litigating cases to protect trans rights
Experience working in a coalition and/or with co-counsel for multiple organizational clients
Managing discovery, including document production and depositions
Working with fact and expert witnesses, including in preparation for deposition and trial testimony
Criminal defense and/or prosecutorial experience
Advising clients on compliance and risk mitigation issues
Reproductive justice work
Communications work in connection with litigation
Work on amicus briefs or strategy
Mentoring more junior attorneys, interns, and paralegals
Flexibility and ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities and ambiguous situations
Exceptional research, analytical, writing, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively about legal issues
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to positively and successfully manage relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders across organizational lines
Ability to exercise agility, adaptability, and practicality in providing legal advice
Commitment to providing professional, authoritative, and timely legal advice and services to all clients
Excellent judgment and proven experience in analyzing risks and making risk determinations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complicated legal concepts into accessible language for a wide audience
Ability to excel under pressure in a fast-paced, highly innovative, and rapidly changing environment
Ability to work collaboratively with program and operations teams
Knowledge of and sensitivity to different racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and people with different gender identities, cultural differences, and disabilities.
Travel: 0-10%
Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
