Associate Director, Impact Litigation

Strategic case management and litigation:

• Identify, investigate, and develop affirmative litigation to address gun violence, including cases focused on gun industry misconduct, negligent or unlawful distribution practices, deceptive marketing, and other practices that contribute to harm from gun violence.
• Lead all phases of litigation from factual investigation, drafting pleadings, discovery, motion practice, negotiations, through trial and the appellate process.
• Utilize federal, state, and local laws and statutes and innovative legal theories to advance community safety and accountability.

Team leadership and management:

• Supervise and lead a team of attorneys and other team members towards the achievement of team and individual goals.
• Ensure high quality, mission-critical work across the affirmative litigation team.
• Work closely with the Chief Counsel and VP of GIFFORDS Law Center to define strategic goals and long-term litigation priorities and to strengthen internal systems.

Cross-team and external engagement:

• Represent the organization in court, in meetings with public officials, in coalition spaces, and at conferences or convenings related to gun violence prevention and industry accountability.
• Partner with the development team on grant proposals, reports, and donor engagement related to litigation work.
• Support the communications team in developing messaging, including working with press, that elevates the impact of litigation and centers survivors and affected communities.

This role leads high-impact affirmative litigation designed to advance gun industry accountability and reduce gun violence, helping shape the organization's legal vision and expand the field of gun violence prevention litigation nationwide to create a safer America.

• J.D. and admission to at least one state bar (or eligibility for timely admission).
• Minimum of 7 years of litigation experience, with substantial affirmative, complex, or impact litigation responsibility.
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of issues related to gun violence prevention, including a minimum of 3 years of experience involving gun-related litigation, gun industry regulation, or enforcement or defense of federal, state or local gun laws.
• Experience developing and leading cases involving complex factual records, expert testimony, and industry practices.
• Prior experience supervising or mentoring attorneys or legal staff.
• Exceptional legal writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple litigation matters in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Strong commitment to trauma-informed practice, and working respectfully with survivors and communities disproportionately affected by gun violence.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse partners, including advocates, experts, survivors, and government entities.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

The salary range for this position is $128,720-$154,181 annually with the exact salary depending on equivalent experience. Competitive benefits include employer-funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; reimbursement for cell phone and monthly wifi stipend; 25 days of PTO annually plus paid week closure at the end of the calendar year; and 10 paid federal holidays.

GIFFORDS is a nonprofit organization whose team is on a mission to save lives from gun violence. For more than three decades, the experts at GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the legal arm of GIFFORDS, have been fighting for a safer America by researching, drafting, and defending the laws, policies, and programs proven to save lives from gun violence.