Director of Litigation and Policy, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (3 year Limited Term)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director of Litigation and Policy, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (3 year Limited Term)

Job Profile Title
Director C, Business and Finance, Legal and Government Affairs

Job Description Summary
CERL seeks a full-time Litigation and Policy Director to lead its nationwide initiatives in U.S. courts, supporting and advising members of Congress, executive branch officials, and actors in state and local government.

This position will work in close collaboration with CERL’s Faculty Director, post-doctoral fellows, members of CERL’s Executive Board, Advisory Counsel and Faculty affiliates and Penn Carey Law students to align CERL’s litigation and policy work with strategic defense for the rule of law and Penn’s pedagogical mission.

This position is in person at CERL’s offices at the University of Pennsylvania.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Litigation Support, Strategy, and Infrastructure

• Lead CERL’s litigation and policy initiatives in consultation with CERL’s Faculty and Executive Directors.

• Coordinate with CERL staff and affiliates to ensure strategic alignment of CERL’s litigation and policy initiatives with CERL’s overall mission.

• Provide leadership, thought partnership and problem solving, including litigation practices, ethics advice and counsel, and other expertise.

• Draft and file briefs and policy papers in coordination with CERL’s litigation fellow and student volunteers to advance CERL’s litigation and policy objectives.

• Work with students to advance CERL’s litigation and policy objectives while enriching student pedagogical experience.

• Assist with resource development for litigation efforts and manage litigation-related budgeting processes.

• Coordinate with Litigation and Policy Support Specialists to maintain litigation related infrastructure.

• Communicate with CERL staff and affiliates about progress towards CERL’s policy goals.

Supervision, Mentorship, & Leadership

• Supervise, support and mentor litigation and policy staff.

• Participate in the weekly team meetings and reports to the Executive and Faculty Director.

Training & Development

• Display excellence in legal writing, oral argument, and other legal tools.

• Organize litigation and policy-focused training for CERL Staff and relevant materials.

External Connections

• Strengthen external partnerships with organizations with affiliated organizations nationally.

• Create and nurture relationships with the private bar to support CERL’s litigation efforts and implement processes to ensure that joint advocacy efforts reflect organizational values.

Qualifications

• J.D. and 5-7 years of relevant experience required.

• Demonstrated experience with brief writing, litigation, and oral argument.

• Demonstrated experience with public policy and/or legislative affairs.

• Experience supervising multiple people at once and a demonstrated understanding of supervisory challenges and/or best practices.

• Law degree and license to practice.

• Strong understanding of and demonstrated experience with litigation, legal writing, oral argument, and other legal tools, including experience leading litigation teams.

• Excellent written and oral communication, research, negotiation, and analytical skills.

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues, and a desire to engage in shared leadership and decision-making.

• Ability to lead a team effectively, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines on time-sensitive projects.

Preferred

• Experience supervising others, including providing supervisor training or coaching.

• Experience with national security law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice is a plus.

Application R equi rement

• A curriculum vitae, including publications, education, and teaching history (if applicable), awards, honors, public service, and current and pending funding, if any.

• A personal statement, no longer than three pages, single-spaced with one-inch margins. Please address all the following elements in this order:

• Review your previous litigation accomplishments.

• Describe your commitment to pursuing litigation work in an academic setting.

• Two writing samples, one should be a brief submitted in any case in federal or state court and written solely by you.

Please   not e   that this is   a   term   position with a target end date of 03/2029

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Penn Global

Pay Range
$110,907.00 - $140,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin   (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected   under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

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Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits  to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

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Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

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Retirement:  Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

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Time Away from Work:  Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whate