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 Requirement 

• 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 note 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay