Application Guide
How to Apply for General Counsel
at PowerSwitch Action
🏢 About PowerSwitch Action
PowerSwitch Action is a national network building multiracial feminist democracies in cities and regions, driving an agenda to bring public investments under community oversight and challenge corporate extraction. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law, organizing, and social justice, supporting frontline communities and movement-building efforts.
About This Role
As General Counsel, you will be the primary legal advisor to the Board, Executive Director, and staff, providing analysis on legal risks and compliance across contracts, communications, campaign plans, and HR matters. Your work will directly enable the organization's mission by ensuring legal strategies align with movement goals and by managing outside counsel relationships.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start reviewing a contract for a campaign vendor, then advising staff on legal risks of a planned protest action. You could spend the afternoon developing a board policy on political activity compliance, followed by a call with outside counsel on a trademark issue. Throughout, you'll collaborate with organizers to ensure legal strategies amplify rather than hinder movement goals.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who PowerSwitch Action Is Looking For
- A seasoned attorney with deep expertise in nonprofit/tax-exempt law, employment, contract, intellectual property, and laws governing organizing and public actions.
- A strategic thinker with experience in movement work, campaigning, and organizing, able to synthesize complex legal issues for non-lawyers.
- An excellent communicator and relationship-builder, capable of advising staff and board with clarity and judgment.
- Authorization to practice law in California is strongly preferred, but exceptional candidates from other jurisdictions will be considered.
📝 Tips for Applying to PowerSwitch Action
Highlight any experience advising social justice organizations, unions, or advocacy groups on campaign-related legal issues (e.g., protest rights, ballot initiatives).
Demonstrate your understanding of multiracial feminist democracy and how your legal work supports community oversight of public investments.
If you are not licensed in California, explicitly address your willingness to seek admission or reliance on in-house counsel exemptions.
Provide concrete examples of how you've translated complex legal concepts for non-legal staff or board members.
Mention any experience developing compliance policies and training for nonprofit organizations.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your commitment to social justice and alignment with PowerSwitch Action's mission of multiracial feminist democracy.", 'Specific examples of legal work supporting grassroots organizing or challenging corporate power.', 'Your ability to balance legal risk mitigation with strategic campaign goals.', 'How your expertise in nonprofit law, employment, and intellectual property uniquely qualifies you to serve a movement organization.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review PowerSwitch Action's website, recent campaigns, and press releases to understand their current priorities and legal challenges.
- → Read their annual reports or strategic plans to grasp their theory of change and regional focus.
- → Look into their network of affiliate organizations and any public legal issues they've faced.
- → Research key laws related to your practice area, such as California's nonprofit integrity act or local campaign finance laws.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing solely on corporate legal experience without connecting it to movement work or social justice.
- Failing to address the California bar requirement or your plan to meet it.
- Using generic legal jargon without demonstrating understanding of the organization's mission and context.
- Overlooking the importance of relationship-building and communication in a small, mission-driven team.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
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 PowerSwitch Action!