Legal Counsel, Free Speech

About the role

This position serves as a critical driver in advancing free speech disputes through the trial phase, where complex litigation receives direct management and strategic direction. The hire will own the tactical and substantive execution of high-stakes cases, ensuring that constitutional arguments are preserved and presented with precision in a courtroom setting. You will be responsible for shaping the narrative and legal theory that guides judges and juries, translating intricate facts into compelling advocacy. This role demands rigorous judgment to navigate procedural hurdles and evidentiary challenges while protecting client interests under strict deadlines. You will manage the lifecycle of litigation from motion practice to trial testimony, ensuring every element aligns with the overarching strategy of defending free speech. The position requires a proactive mindset to anticipate opposing arguments and fortify our legal theories before they are tested in court. Success in this role means owning the narrative in public forums and private deliberations, ensuring that the principles of liberty are defended with clarity and force.

Key facts

What you'll do

Courts advance free speech disputes as the case moves toward trial, requiring you to synthesize evidence, law, and public interest into a coherent strategy that withstands judicial scrutiny. You will craft persuasive legal arguments and trial narratives, ensuring that constitutional principles are articulated with clarity and force in every filing and oral presentation. Legal papers take shape through drafting, review, editing, and filing of briefs and motions to meet procedural requirements, demanding meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to court rules. Media interactions represent ADF's advocacy as the team interfaces with the press and speaks on cases and issues, requiring you to communicate complex legal concepts to the public with accuracy and professionalism. You will conduct in-depth legal research using specialized tools to identify precedent and statutory frameworks that support our clients' rights in the digital and physical spheres. Collaboration with trial consultants and communications specialists will shape how arguments are presented to judges, juries, and the broader public, ensuring consistency between the courtroom and the court of public opinion. You will oversee document review and case management tasks, ensuring that all deadlines are met and that the team is prepared for every stage of litigation, from initial hearings to final judgment. This role involves training and supervising junior team members on litigation tactics, fostering a culture of excellence and rigorous preparation within the Free Speech team. You will coordinate with external experts, witnesses, and stakeholders to build a factual record that supports our constitutional claims and counters procedural attempts to silence our clients. Ultimately, you will be the legal architect of our defense, ensuring that every motion, argument, and testimony is aligned with the goal of preserving free speech for the long term.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement, though the specific field is confirmed only A J.D. is mandatory, with active bar status in at least one US state and the ability to qualify for admission in a relevant jurisdiction within one year, ensuring immediate eligibility to practice. Complex litigation experience of at least 1 year is necessary for this role, demonstrating familiarity with trial-level work and advanced procedural matters. Candidates must possess strong written and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to translate dense legal concepts into persuasive arguments for judges and juries. A deep commitment to defending constitutional principles, particularly those related to free speech, is expected as a non-negotiable standard for this position. Professional licensure and good standing with any required bar associations are required, and candidates must be prepared to provide proof of eligibility upon request. The role requires resilience in high-pressure environments, where tight deadlines and intense scrutiny are the norm rather than the exception. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and not require sponsorship for this position at the time of application, ensuring immediate operational readiness.

Practical notes

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

Work in a field centered on constitutional law and advocacy. Use legal research tools and document drafting software. Navigate case strategy through collaboration with specialized teams.

Questions to ask

Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.

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.