Application Guide
How to Apply for Press Officer
at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
🏢 About If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
If/When/How is a unique legal and advocacy organization that combines direct representation, systemic law reform, and network-building to advance reproductive justice. Working here means being part of a mission-driven team that defends bodily autonomy and fights for a future where everyone can make decisions about their bodies, families, and communities without barriers or punishment. The fully remote structure and national scope offer flexibility and the chance to collaborate with passionate lawyers and advocates across the country.
About This Role
As Press Officer, you will be the primary architect of If/When/How’s media relations strategy, cultivating press contacts and positioning the organization’s lawyers and advocates as go-to experts on reproductive justice. You’ll also contribute to broader communications efforts, creating content that amplifies the organization’s legal victories and advocacy campaigns. This role is critical for shaping public narratives around reproductive rights during a pivotal time.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve pitching a story to a national reporter about a new legal filing, drafting a press release with input from legal staff, and coordinating a rapid-response statement on a legislative development. You’ll also spend time building relationships with journalists over coffee (virtual) and brainstorming content ideas with the communications team to amplify If/When/How’s work across digital platforms.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Is Looking For
- Proven experience in media relations or press officer roles, ideally in reproductive justice, civil rights, or legal advocacy, with a track record of securing coverage in top-tier outlets.
- Strong existing relationships with journalists covering reproductive health, law, and policy, and the ability to quickly build new ones.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
- Strategic thinker who can proactively identify media opportunities and respond rapidly to breaking news, while also managing multiple projects in a remote environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Highlight specific media placements you’ve secured that relate to reproductive justice, gender justice, or legal advocacy—include outlet names and links if possible.
Demonstrate your understanding of If/When/How’s unique model by referencing their programs (e.g., legal representation, law reform, lawyer network) in your cover letter.
Show that you can work remotely: mention your experience with distributed teams, digital collaboration tools, and self-directed project management.
Provide a portfolio of press releases, media advisories, or op-eds you’ve written, especially those that required translating legal or policy language for a general audience.
In your application, mirror the organization’s language around reproductive justice (e.g., ‘bodily autonomy,’ ‘without barriers, coercion, or punishment’) to show alignment with their values.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience in media relations and a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with journalists covering reproductive rights and legal issues.', 'How you have successfully positioned spokespeople as subject matter experts and managed rapid-response media moments.', 'Your commitment to reproductive justice and familiarity with the legal and advocacy landscape, including key threats and opportunities.', 'Your ability to contribute to broader communications strategy, including content creation for digital platforms and campaigns.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review If/When/How’s recent press releases, media mentions, and social media to understand their current messaging and media footprint.
- → Research the reproductive justice movement’s key issues and terminology, including the difference between reproductive rights and reproductive justice.
- → Familiarize yourself with the organization’s legal cases and advocacy campaigns, such as their work on abortion access, criminalization, and assisted reproduction.
- → Look up the Senior Manager of Media and Campaigns and other communications staff on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and potential synergies.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic language about ‘women’s health’ instead of the reproductive justice framework, which centers bodily autonomy and intersectionality.
- Failing to demonstrate existing media contacts or provide concrete examples of placements—this role requires a robust network.
- Not addressing the remote nature of the role or showing discomfort with distributed work, as the entire team is remote.
📅 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!