Application Guide
How to Apply for Counsel
at Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology
🏢 About Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology
Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology (LASST) is a nonprofit law firm that uses impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education to mitigate risks from AI and biotechnology. Unlike traditional environmental or tech policy organizations, LASST blends frontier science with legal action—filing amicus briefs, FOIA requests, and lawsuits to ensure emerging technologies are developed safely. Working here means being on the front lines of some of the most consequential legal battles of our time, from AI governance to biosecurity.
About This Role
As Counsel, you will develop and execute legal strategies to address AI and biotechnology risks, with a focus on impact litigation, regulatory analysis, and public advocacy. You'll collaborate closely with scientists to translate complex technical issues into legal arguments, represent LASST in court and media, and draft briefs, policy papers, and educational content. This role is ideal for a litigator who wants to shape the law and policy around existential technologies.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting an amicus brief on AI liability, meeting with scientific experts to refine arguments, and coordinating with policy staff on a FOIA request. You could also spend time preparing for a court hearing, giving a media interview, or writing a public explainer on biosecurity law. Expect a mix of deep legal research, strategic discussions, and external advocacy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology Is Looking For
- JD from a top law school and licensed to practice in at least one US state, with 1–3 years of litigation or court-focused experience (e.g., clerkships, plaintiff-side litigation, or impact litigation).
- Demonstrated interest or prior work in biosecurity, AI safety, science/tech policy, or plaintiff-side litigation—ideally with some exposure to regulatory frameworks or emerging tech issues.
- Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, including experience drafting briefs, motions, or policy papers and the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to legal and lay audiences.
- Collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable working with scientists and experts, and eager to take initiative in a remote, mission-driven environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology
Highlight any experience with impact litigation, amicus briefs, or FOIA requests—even if not directly in AI/biotech—and explicitly connect it to LASST's mission.
Demonstrate your ability to work with technical experts by mentioning specific instances where you translated scientific or technical concepts into legal arguments or policy recommendations.
Show your commitment to AI safety or biosecurity by referencing relevant coursework, publications, or pro bono work; if you lack direct experience, propose how your litigation skills transfer.
Tailor your resume to emphasize court-focused work (e.g., clerkships, trials, motions practice) and any plaintiff-side or public-interest litigation, as LASST values courtroom readiness.
In your cover letter, propose a concrete legal strategy or idea for addressing an AI or biosecurity risk—this shows you understand LASST's approach and can think creatively.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific motivation for joining LASST and why you are passionate about using law to mitigate AI and biotech risks.', 'Concrete examples of your litigation experience, especially any impact litigation, amicus briefs, or FOIA work, and how you managed cases from start to finish.', 'Your ability to collaborate with scientific experts, with examples of translating technical information into legal strategies or public communications.', "Your vision for how legal advocacy can shape safe technology development, and how you would contribute to LASST's mission from day one."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review LASST's website, especially their recent cases, amicus briefs, and policy papers, to understand their legal theories and priorities.
- → Research the backgrounds of LASST's leadership and staff to understand their expertise and approach to combining law and science.
- → Familiarize yourself with current AI and biosecurity policy debates, including key legislation, regulations, and landmark cases (e.g., AI liability, biosafety protocols).
- → Look into LASST's partners and funders to see how they collaborate with scientific and advocacy communities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention LASST or AI/biosecurity—this role requires a demonstrated passion for the mission.
- Overemphasizing corporate defense or big-law experience without showing how it translates to plaintiff-side or impact litigation.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of litigation skills (e.g., motions, briefs, oral arguments) or collaboration with experts; vague claims won't stand out.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: October 4, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology!