Property Rights Attorney

You: An entrepreneurial freedom fighter with a passion for property rights in courtrooms across the nation. You work with experienced attorneys to find and win cutting-edge property rights cases in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. You work as a part of a collaborative team, but are also self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision. You are eager to learn, relentless, and a focused professional.

Them: Bureaucrats, city councils, mayors, governors, and federal agencies stripping Americans of their rights every day. There’s a lot of government overreach out there against the little guys, backed by seemingly endless resources. But fortunately, abusive government is most vulnerable when countered by individuals who act strategically and nimbly, take calculated risks, have each other’s backs, and are confident in, and passionate for, the cause—the very sort of property rights swashbucklers here at PLF.

Us: We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty and protecting the fundamental right to property as the “guardian of every other right.” PLF has an unmatched record in the United States Supreme Court, with 17 victories in the Court. We also are actively litigating more than a hundred cases in trial and appellate courtrooms across the country.

We are a next-generation public interest law firm. What does “next-generation” mean for a legal nonprofit? It means we aren’t interested in doing the same thing as everyone else. We aspire to be the best player in a constantly changing game.

Here’s what you get to do in this role:

You will be a courtroom lawyer in PLF's Property Rights Practice Group, working alongside a dedicated team to find and litigate cases. We take our cases to state and federal courts at every level. From Nollan to Koontz to Knick to Wilkins, Cedar Point Nursery, and Tyler, PLF’s property rights litigation is unparalleled. You will help find and win the next important property rights case, with the goal of becoming recognized as a nationwide leader in property rights litigation. You will also occasionally have opportunities to speak at conferences or with the media about your cases or important property rights issues.

You will be a key contributor to PLF’s Property Rights practice group. You will work in teams with your fellow lawyers, growing in your expertise and knowledge and elevating the team’s efforts to defend the right to own, keep, and use private property. You will have the latitude to think big and the resources to execute. At PLF, you will be at the forefront of shaping property rights for all Americans.

In a nutshell, we’re seeking someone who’s passionate about liberty and property rights, someone who is magnanimous, and someone who is a bold and relentless freedom fighter.

Getting down to brass tacks, your specific job duties likely will include:

• Winning property rights cases! Finding, developing, and litigating important property rights cases in all levels of courtrooms, nationwide.
• Working with other attorneys to develop and litigate PLF’s property rights cases to protect the constitutional rights of Americans.

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of litigation experience or equivalent, such as judicial clerkship experience
• Passion to litigate property rights cases
• A deep understanding of the moral and constitutional basis for property rights is a huge plus
• A track record of successful legal work
• Outstanding interpersonal communications skills
• A knowledge of, and passion for, the ideas of freedom and individual liberty
• The ability and willingness to travel approximately 20% to 30% of your time

General Information

Pacific Legal Foundation identifies and litigates important legal issues to set landmark precedents that will benefit Americans nationwide. Using strategic and principled litigation, communications, and research, we battle for freedom in the nation’s courts and the court of public opinion.

As a national nonprofit organization, PLF has brick-and-mortar offices in Sacramento, California; Arlington, Virginia; and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, although approximately half of the staff work from home offices across the country. You can work physically in any of our offices or request to work virtually. This position is particularly suited for a lawyer who would like to be in one of our offices, or who is a focused and relentless self-starter eager to take advantage of our cross-country virtual office environment by proactively collaborating and communicating with colleagues, clients, and other professionals.

Salary Range and Benefits:

This is a full-time, permanent position. PLF is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest-quality talent available nationwide, and we offer a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, medical and dental insurance, and employer-paid retirement savings. We take work-life balance seriously through our generous paid leave and flextime policies. To learn more about the starting salary range and benefits options, please apply.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials:

• Your resume or C.V., including your experience in the liberty movement and relevant professional experience.
• A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants; your letter should detail your courtroom experience, including any experience in trial preparation and civil discovery.
• A recent legal writing sample, no longer than 10 pages, that demonstrates your analytical and advocacy skills.