Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Litigation and Counsel
at Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc.
🏢 About Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc.
Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc. is a nonprofit legal organization uniquely focused on using impact litigation to ensure advanced technologies are governed safely. Unlike traditional environmental or tech policy groups, they take creative court-based strategies to address risks from unsafe science, technology, and pandemic prevention. Working here means joining a small, mission-driven team where your legal work directly shapes how society manages emerging threats.
About This Role
As Head of Litigation and Counsel, you will develop and execute impact litigation strategies that tackle risks from unsafe science, technology, and pandemic prevention. You'll translate complex technical developments into actionable legal arguments and court filings, often blazing new legal trails. This role is fully remote with significant autonomy, allowing you to drive high-stakes cases that could set precedents for technology governance.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve researching emerging scientific reports to identify legal vulnerabilities, drafting a complaint or brief for a novel case, and collaborating with technical experts over video calls to refine arguments. You'll also strategize with colleagues on case selection and may participate in coalition meetings with partner organizations. With flexible hours, you might start early to accommodate deep work or take breaks to recharge, all while driving forward high-impact litigation.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc. Is Looking For
- For Head of Litigation: 15+ years of litigation experience, including leading impact litigation or high-profile cases, with a strong track record of creative legal strategy.
- For Counsel: 0–3 years of experience, with demonstrated interest in science/technology policy, public interest law, or appellate litigation (e.g., clerkships, law review, or relevant internships).
- Ability to quickly grasp complex scientific and technical concepts and translate them into persuasive legal arguments.
- Self-starter comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision, and passionate about using law to mitigate risks from advanced technologies and pandemics.
📝 Tips for Applying to Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc.
Highlight any experience with impact litigation, especially cases involving science, technology, public health, or environmental risks—even if not directly on point, show how your skills transfer.
For the Head of Litigation role, emphasize leadership in strategy and case management; for Counsel, showcase research and writing skills through a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
Demonstrate familiarity with the company's mission by referencing specific areas like pandemic prevention, AI governance, or biotechnology risks in your cover letter and interviews.
Address the remote nature of the role by providing examples of how you've successfully managed projects or collaborated remotely in previous positions.
If you have any experience working with nonprofits or advocacy organizations, highlight it—they value candidates who understand the constraints and rewards of mission-driven legal work.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific motivation for advancing science and technology safety through litigation, and why this nonprofit's approach resonates with you.", "Concrete examples of impact litigation or creative legal strategies you've developed or contributed to, especially those involving complex technical subjects.", 'How you translate technical or scientific information into compelling legal arguments—provide a brief anecdote or case example.', 'Your ability to work autonomously and remotely, and how you stay organized and proactive in a flexible, self-directed environment.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the company's website and any published reports, blog posts, or press releases to understand their past cases and current priorities in science and technology safety.
- → Research recent legal developments in technology governance, such as AI regulation, pandemic prevention treaties, or biotechnology oversight, to speak knowledgeably about the landscape.
- → Look up the backgrounds of the founders and key staff on LinkedIn to understand their legal and scientific expertise, which can inform your interview conversations.
- → Explore similar organizations (e.g., Electronic Frontier Foundation, Center for AI Safety, or environmental law groups) to compare strategies and articulate what makes this nonprofit unique.
💬 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 the company's specific mission or the unique challenges of litigating science and technology risks.
- Failing to tailor your experience to the role level—for Head of Litigation, not demonstrating leadership and strategic vision; for Counsel, not showing enough foundational legal research and writing skills.
- Ignoring the remote aspect—not addressing how you thrive in a flexible, autonomous work environment or giving the impression you need constant supervision.
📅 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 Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology, Inc.!