Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Counsel
at Court Accountability
🏢 About Court Accountability
Court Accountability is a unique nonpartisan nonprofit that directly confronts authoritarianism and corruption through constitutional politics, rather than traditional litigation. Their mission to reclaim the Constitution for the American people through investigative research offers a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of law, policy, and direct political action. This appeals to legal professionals seeking to drive systemic change beyond courtroom advocacy.
About This Role
As Senior Counsel, you'll shape the organization's policy agenda and implement cross-ideological advocacy strategies to hold corrupt actors accountable. This involves developing proactive oversight strategies, planning hearings, drafting investigation roadmaps, and creating legislative materials that directly impact constitutional politics. Your work will bridge investigative research with tangible political action to advance democratic accountability.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves coordinating with movement partners on shared oversight strategies while drafting investigation roadmaps for upcoming congressional engagements. You might spend the morning developing cross-ideological advocacy plans, then transition to editing legislative testimony and planning stakeholder meetings to advance specific accountability initiatives. The role balances strategic policy development with hands-on material creation and coalition coordination.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Court Accountability Is Looking For
- A J.D. holder with 7+ years specifically in government oversight, investigations, or public interest policy advocacy (not just general legal practice)
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing cross-ideological advocacy strategies that bridge political divides
- Proven ability to draft complex legislative materials, investigation roadmaps, and oversight strategies (not just legal briefs)
- Exceptional project coordination skills managing multiple stakeholders including movement partners, Congress, and external allies
📝 Tips for Applying to Court Accountability
Highlight specific oversight or investigation experience in your resume, quantifying impact (e.g., 'developed roadmap for 3 congressional investigations resulting in...')
Demonstrate understanding of 'constitutional politics' in your materials—show you grasp their unique approach beyond traditional legal advocacy
Provide writing samples that showcase policy advocacy materials (legislation drafts, investigation plans, oversight letters) rather than just litigation documents
Emphasize experience with cross-ideological coalition building, showing you can work across political divides for accountability goals
Tailor your application to their specific mission—avoid generic public interest language; connect directly to confronting authoritarianism and reclaiming the Constitution
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with oversight strategies and investigation roadmaps (not just legal analysis)', 'Examples of successful cross-ideological advocacy work that bridges political divides', "How your background aligns with their unique 'constitutional politics' approach rather than traditional litigation", 'Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects across multiple stakeholders in government and movement spaces']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Their specific investigations and oversight initiatives (what they've actually pursued, not just mission statement)
- → Their 'constitutional politics' framework and how it differs from other accountability organizations
- → Their cross-ideological partnerships and coalition work (which groups they collaborate with across political spectrum)
- → Their recent legislative advocacy and hearing participation to understand their current policy priorities
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing primarily on litigation experience without emphasizing policy advocacy, oversight, or investigation work
- Using generic public interest language without connecting specifically to confronting authoritarianism or constitutional politics
- Demonstrating rigid partisan alignment rather than cross-ideological flexibility in your examples and approach
📅 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 Court Accountability!