Application Guide
How to Apply for Helpline Counsel
at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
🏢 About If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
If/When/How is a unique legal services and advocacy organization that specifically focuses on reproductive justice through direct legal representation, policy advocacy, and movement building. Unlike traditional law firms, they work at the intersection of law and social justice to defend bodily autonomy and dismantle systemic barriers, making it an ideal workplace for attorneys passionate about using their legal skills for transformative change.
About This Role
As Helpline Counsel III, you'll provide free, confidential legal services via the Repro Legal Helpline, answering complex questions about reproductive laws across the U.S. and supporting people in legal emergencies related to pregnancy, abortion, and parenting. This role is impactful because you'll be a frontline resource for individuals navigating legal confusion and risk in the post-Dobbs landscape, directly advancing reproductive justice through crisis intervention.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves responding to helpline inquiries via phone and secure messaging, researching rapidly changing state laws to provide accurate guidance, and documenting cases while maintaining strict confidentiality. You might consult with senior staff on complex legal emergencies, update resource materials, and participate in team meetings to discuss systemic patterns in caller needs.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Is Looking For
- A licensed attorney with experience in reproductive rights, family law, or crisis legal services who can navigate complex, evolving state laws
- Someone with exceptional emotional intelligence and communication skills to provide compassionate support to callers in vulnerable situations
- A self-motivated professional comfortable with remote work who can manage a caseload of brief services and legal emergencies independently
- An advocate deeply aligned with reproductive justice principles who understands the intersectional impacts of race, class, and gender on legal access
📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Explicitly address your experience with reproductive law or related fields (health law, family law, civil rights) in your resume summary
Demonstrate your understanding of the post-Dobbs legal landscape by mentioning specific state laws or cases in your cover letter
Highlight any remote work experience and self-management skills, as this is a fully remote position requiring discipline
Show familiarity with If/When/How's specific programs beyond the helpline, such as their litigation or advocacy work
Include examples of handling sensitive, confidential client interactions in your application materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your personal alignment with reproductive justice principles and how they inform your legal practice', 'Specific experience with crisis legal services, hotline work, or managing complex client cases under pressure', "Knowledge of the varying state laws affecting reproductive rights and how you'd navigate this patchwork for callers", 'Your ability to work independently in a remote setting while contributing to a collaborative team mission']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → If/When/How's specific litigation cases and advocacy campaigns beyond the helpline
- → The organization's network of lawyers and partner organizations in the reproductive justice movement
- → Recent blog posts or resources from the Repro Legal Helpline to understand common caller concerns
- → The leadership team's backgrounds and public statements about reproductive justice strategy
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic social justice language without demonstrating specific knowledge of reproductive justice frameworks
- Failing to acknowledge the legal complexities of the post-Dobbs environment across different states
- Presenting as uncomfortable with the emotional demands of crisis work or lacking self-care strategies
📅 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 If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice!