Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Litigation Counsel - Federal Response
at National Homelessness Law Center
🏢 About National Homelessness Law Center
The National Homelessness Law Center is unique in its laser focus on ending homelessness through structural and anti-racist advocacy. As a mission-driven nonprofit, it combines impact litigation with grassroots partnerships, offering attorneys the chance to directly challenge federal policies harming unhoused individuals. Working here means joining a small, dedicated team that values movement lawyering and systemic change.
About This Role
This role involves leading the Law Center’s federal response litigation, including strategic case selection, supervising pro bono partners, and litigating against harmful federal policies. You’ll also translate complex legal developments for non-legal allies and build coalitions with grassroots organizations. The impact is profound: your work will directly defend the rights of unhoused people nationwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a strategy call with pro bono co-counsel about an upcoming motion, followed by drafting a brief challenging a federal rule. Afternoon could involve a coalition meeting with grassroots leaders to discuss policy updates and community impact, then reviewing budgets for active cases. You’ll also field press inquiries and prepare plain-language summaries for partners.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Homelessness Law Center Is Looking For
- A seasoned litigator with 10+ years of experience, including 7+ in civil litigation, who has managed a litigation portfolio or program from conception to completion.
- Someone with a track record of working alongside directly impacted individuals and grassroots groups, not just top-down advocacy.
- A collaborative leader skilled in budget management and supervising pro bono counsel, able to balance strategic vision with day-to-day case oversight.
- An attorney deeply committed to racial justice and structural change, who can translate complex federal policies for diverse stakeholders.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Homelessness Law Center
Highlight your experience managing a litigation portfolio, not just individual cases—mention budgets, staffing, and pro bono supervision.
Show your connection to grassroots movements: describe specific collaborations with unhoused individuals or advocacy groups.
Tailor your resume to emphasize federal litigation or policy challenges, especially cases involving constitutional or administrative law.
In your cover letter, explicitly name the Law Center’s recent cases or campaigns to demonstrate you’ve researched their work.
Include examples of how you’ve translated legal jargon for non-legal audiences, such as community briefings or press statements.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your commitment to the Law Center’s mission of ending homelessness through an anti-racist, structural lens.', 'Specific examples of managing complex litigation portfolios, including budget and pro bono coordination.', 'Experience working with grassroots organizations and directly impacted communities to shape litigation strategy.', 'Ability to navigate fast-paced policy shifts and communicate implications to non-legal partners.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the Law Center’s current federal cases and amicus briefs on their website, especially those challenging HUD or DHS policies.
- → Read their recent reports or press releases on the impact of federal policies on unhoused people.
- → Familiarize yourself with key coalition partners like the National Coalition for the Homeless or local advocacy groups.
- → Understand the Law Center’s theory of change: how they view homelessness as a structural and racial justice issue.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t focus solely on your litigation wins without showing how you engaged impacted communities—this role values movement lawyering.
- Avoid generic statements about passion for social justice without tying them to the Law Center’s specific anti-racist approach.
- Don’t overlook the budget management aspect; failing to mention financial oversight suggests you’re not ready for the portfolio management responsibilities.
📅 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 National Homelessness Law Center!