Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Litigation
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 legal advocacy organization uniquely focused on making advances in AI and biotechnology safer for people and the planet. Unlike traditional environmental or tech policy groups, LASST uses creative impact litigation—private actions, amicus briefs, and FOIA requests—to hold developers and regulators accountable. Working here means joining a mission-driven team at the intersection of law, science, and existential risk, where your legal skills directly shape how emerging technologies are governed.
About This Role
As Head of Litigation, you will build and lead LASST's litigation department from the ground up, designing novel legal strategies to address AI and biotech risks through private actions, amicus briefs, and FOIA litigation. You will manage a team of attorneys and staff, cultivate relationships with scientific experts and potential clients, and represent LASST in court, policy discussions, and media. This role is impactful because you will be on the front lines of using the legal system to prevent catastrophic outcomes from powerful new technologies.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a strategy call with scientific experts to assess a potential FOIA lawsuit, followed by editing an amicus brief and mentoring a junior attorney on case research. In the afternoon, you could be preparing for a court hearing or giving a media interview about a new AI regulation case. You'll constantly balance legal creativity, team management, and external relationship-building to advance LASST's mission.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology Is Looking For
- 15+ years of litigation experience, including federal clerkships and first-chair trial or appellate argument experience, with a strong track record of impact litigation or public-interest cases.
- Demonstrated expertise in biosecurity, AI safety, or science/tech policy—ideally through prior cases, publications, or advocacy work—and a deep understanding of the legal gaps in regulating emerging technologies.
- Proven ability to manage and mentor a litigation team, develop creative legal theories, and build coalitions with scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
- Active member of a US state bar and willingness to work remotely while traveling for court appearances, media interviews, and stakeholder meetings.
📝 Tips for Applying to Legal Advocates for Safe Science and Technology
Highlight specific cases where you used creative legal strategies—especially FOIA, amicus, or novel private actions—and quantify their impact (e.g., policy changes, precedent set).
Show your commitment to LASST's mission by referencing their past cases or advocacy campaigns in your cover letter; generic public-interest statements won't stand out.
If you have any background in AI or biotech (even as a hobbyist or through pro bono work), emphasize it—LASST values scientific literacy alongside legal expertise.
Address the remote nature of the role by explaining how you've successfully managed teams and litigation across geographies in previous positions.
Include a short section in your resume or cover letter proposing one or two creative litigation strategies you might pursue for LASST, demonstrating your proactive approach.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your vision for how litigation can address AI and biotech risks, with concrete examples of legal theories or case types you would prioritize.', "Your experience leading and growing a litigation department, including how you've mentored attorneys and managed complex cases from inception to resolution.", "Specific instances where you've built relationships with scientific experts or translated technical concepts into legal arguments.", 'Why LASST specifically—reference their unique approach and recent work, and explain how your background aligns with their mission.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review LASST's website, especially their 'Cases' and 'Advocacy' sections, to understand their litigation history and current priorities.
- → Read news articles or reports about legal challenges involving AI and biotechnology to identify trends and key players LASST might target.
- → Research the backgrounds of LASST's leadership and board members to understand their expertise and networks.
- → Look into recent FOIA requests or amicus briefs filed by similar organizations to grasp the legal landscape and potential strategies.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on your general litigation experience without connecting it to AI, biotech, or science policy—LASST needs someone who understands the substantive issues.
- Underestimating the managerial aspect: failing to demonstrate how you've built or led a team, not just handled cases solo.
- Using a generic public-interest cover letter that could apply to any nonprofit; LASST wants to see specific passion and knowledge about their niche.
📅 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!