Policy Counsel
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.
The Public Policy Litigation & Law Department (“PPL&L”) represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in matters that affect the Planned Parenthood mission. PPL&L provides legal advice to, and when appropriate conducts litigation in state and federal courts across the country on behalf of, PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in order to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care.
PPL&L seeks applicants for the position of Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel. This role can be located in NYC, Washington, D.C., or remote. If in NYC or DC, PPFA operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least 2 days per week in the office. If telecommuter, this role will require periodic travel to NYC and/or D.C. in addition to other work-related travel. This position reports to a Senior Policy Counsel in PPL&L.
Purpose:
The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel’s primary responsibilities will revolve around providing legal analysis and strategic advice to PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates on matters that implicate the Planned Parenthood mission, focusing primarily on state and local legislation, regulations, and other policies.
Engagement:
The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will work most closely with the other three policy counsels, as well as with the rest of the PPL&L team. The position works across multiple divisions within PPFA, including but not limited to the communications, health care operations, and government relations teams and with Planned Parenthood’s 49 affiliates across the country. The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will also work with other organizations and national coalitions to assist in the development of long- and short-term strategies to protect and expand access to reproductive health care across the country.
The Policy Counsel will also support the career development of interns and paralegals and contribute to PPL&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. To that end, the Policy Counsel should bring an intersectional and Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI)-focused lens to their work.
Delivery:
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will work directly with PPFA staff and Planned Parenthood affiliates on legislative, regulatory and, occasionally, compliance matters related to protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will collaborate with affiliate public affairs staff to craft general goals and state-specific strategies to improve or defeat hostile legislation and regulations, and to develop and promote proactive legislation and regulation that protects or expands care for Planned Parenthood patients.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will serve as a subject matter expert on various areas of law, including and especially aspects of reproductive health care, that impact Planned Parenthood affiliates.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will conduct legal research and write memos and emails for Senior Policy Counsel and other attorneys related to state law questions.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will provide in-depth analysis and development of state and local legislation, regulations, and administrative policies that impact reproductive rights, sexual and reproductive health care, and the ability of Planned Parenthood affiliates to deliver health care services.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will assist in the generation of goals and state-specific strategies to improve or defeat hostile legislation and regulations, and to promote proactive legislation and regulation that protects or expands care for Planned Parenthood patients.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel will support the career development of interns and paralegals and contribute to PPL&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
●Law degree.
●2-4 years of legal practice (The title of this role will be determined based on the number of years of legal practice).
●Strong research and writing skills.
●The Policy Counsel/Associate Policy Counsel should be creative, detail-oriented, and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and enjoy working with others to solve complex policy problems impacting Planned Parenthood and our patients.
●Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and to diversity, equity, and inclusion across differences in race, ethnicity, religion, ability, cultural background, socioeconomic circumstance, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation.
●Established interests in public interest work, including but not limited to racial justice, health policy, disability justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and/or policy lawyering.
●Many different legal career paths can develop skills that are valuable for the Policy Counsel role; candidates are not expected to have experience in all aspects of the position. Experience in reproductive rights is not a requirement. PPL&L is committed to the professional development and growth of all team members.
Travel: 0-10% domestic travel
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, and legal writing sample at the following link: Ideally, the writing sample would be an unedited memo, brief, or draft opinion addressing a complex legal issue, but we understand that the nature of the sample will vary according to your work experience. Please also include information on whether and to what extent the sample was edited by anyone other than you. Feel free to submit your initial application without a writing sample and add your sample at a later date.
$110,000 - $117,000 a year
Total offer package to include generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays, individual/family provided medical, dental and vision benefits effective day 1, life insurance, short/long term disability, paid family leave and 401k. We also offer voluntary opt-in for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Transportation/Commuter accounts.
We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We're committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.
PPFA participates in the E-Verify program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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*PDN-HR
All roles that are denoted as NYC, DC, or both will be on a hybrid schedule, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office.