Senior Counsel, Life

About the role

This role defends religious freedom, free speech, and the sanctity of life through civil litigation. Senior Counsel lead high impact cases and guide other attorneys in the Center for Life. Work in this role directly supports constitutional arguments and the defense of pro-life advocates.

Legal roles protect a company against risk while keeping business moving. Lawyers advise on contracts, deals, and disputes. Compliance teams make sure the company follows the rules that apply to it. Paralegals keep the paperwork, filings, and deadlines in order. Precision and judgment are the core skills. Legal teams manage risk while enabling deals and launches. Most work is deadline driven, and confidentiality is a constant requirement.

Key facts

What you'll do

Courts decide cases that defend religious freedom, free speech, and the sanctity of life.

Strategy for constitutional arguments and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims develops through careful planning.

Trial teams draft briefs, motions, and memoranda for filing in courts.

Courts hear arguments as lawyers represent clients in legal proceedings.

Research addresses novel legal issues to build arguments for complex cases.

Fact investigation includes taking and defending depositions with witnesses and experts.

Supervisors guide mid-level and junior attorneys to strengthen daily practice and decision making.

Media teams coordinate interviews to communicate case updates and related issues.

Legal advisors counsel allied attorneys within recognized areas of competence.

Partners nurture relationships with allied attorneys and allied groups.

Selected individuals join media interviews on Alliance Defending Life cases and related topics.

Requirements

The posting states a pay range of $195000 to $230000.

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. J.D. holders with active state bar licensure must meet admission requirements in a relevant jurisdiction within one year.

Candidates must have 10+ years of complex litigation experience.

First-chair experience is preferred when assigned.

Practical notes

This role may include media interviews and speaking events.

Work locations include Lansdowne, VA, and Dallas, TX.

Typical interview steps

Legal interviews usually include a contract review exercise, a compliance scenario, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to flag issues in a sample agreement or explain a regulatory question. Past experience with specific practice areas carries the most weight. Interviewers often present a sample contract and ask what you would flag. Working through it out loud, risk by risk, is the strongest approach.

Good to know

Life science attorneys often work on novel legal and factual issues at the intersection of law and medicine.

Civil litigation teams rely heavily on precise drafting, persuasive argument, and research.

Constitutional claims in bioethical cases frequently involve the First Amendment and statutory torts like 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Mentorship is a central part of growth in specialist litigation practices.

Speaking engagements help connect legal strategy with public audiences and advocacy groups.

This role operates within a faith-based mission framework focused on protecting life and free speech.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Legal careers grow from associate to senior counsel, general counsel, and chief legal officer roles. Compliance specialists can move into risk or governance leadership. Specialization by practice area, from employment law to corporate transactions, is common. Legal careers reward precision and commercial awareness. In-house roles value speed and judgment over exhaustive analysis.