Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Litigation Counsel or Litigation Counsel
at Americans United for Separation of Church and State
🏢 About Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) is a leading nonpartisan organization that defends the constitutional principle of church-state separation through litigation, advocacy, and education. Working here means joining a dedicated team that has successfully challenged religious coercion in public schools, fought for reproductive freedom, and protected LGBTQ+ rights—all while ensuring religious liberty for everyone. If you are passionate about using the law to safeguard democracy and individual freedoms, AU offers a mission-driven environment where your work has tangible national impact.
About This Role
As Senior Litigation Counsel or Litigation Counsel, you will serve as lead counsel in high-impact church-state cases across the country, handling everything from trial to appellate litigation. This role involves drafting pleadings, taking depositions, delivering oral arguments, and mentoring junior lawyers—all while developing new cases that advance AU’s mission. You will be at the forefront of defending the separation of religion and government, making this a uniquely impactful position for a litigator committed to public interest law.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing filings or preparing for a deposition in a pending case, followed by a strategy call with co-counsel or AU’s advocacy team. You could spend the afternoon drafting a motion for summary judgment, mentoring a junior attorney on a research question, or meeting with potential plaintiffs to discuss a new case. When in trial or appellate argument, you’d be in court or on the road, but remote days involve significant writing, case development, and collaboration via video calls.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Americans United for Separation of Church and State Is Looking For
- A seasoned litigator with at least three years of experience (or ten for Senior) who has served as lead counsel or demonstrated the ability to assume lead counsel responsibilities, ideally in constitutional or civil rights litigation.
- An exceptional writer and oral advocate who can distill complex legal arguments into persuasive briefs and confidently argue before judges, with a track record of success in motions practice and appeals.
- A self-starter who thrives on developing cases from the ground up—identifying plaintiffs, investigating facts, and crafting innovative legal strategies—and is willing to travel as needed.
- A committed public interest lawyer who deeply values church-state separation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and can collaborate across departments to integrate litigation with advocacy campaigns.
📝 Tips for Applying to Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Tailor your cover letter and resume to highlight specific church-state or First Amendment litigation experience; AU wants to see you have handled cases involving religion and government.
Include a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to craft persuasive legal arguments on constitutional issues, preferably a brief or motion you authored in a relevant case.
In your cover letter, explicitly state your commitment to AU’s mission and how your personal or professional background aligns with advancing separation of church and state.
Showcase any experience mentoring or training junior attorneys or interns, as the role explicitly requires guiding and developing less experienced team members.
Proofread your application meticulously; AU values exceptional writing skills, and even minor errors can signal a lack of attention to detail.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for church-state separation and how it connects to your career trajectory and personal values.', 'Specific examples of your lead counsel experience in litigation, including case outcomes and your role in developing strategy.', 'Your ability to handle the full lifecycle of a case—from investigation and plaintiff identification through trial and appeal.', 'Your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and how you have integrated these principles into your legal work.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review AU’s recent high-profile cases (e.g., Kennedy v. Bremerton, Carson v. Makin) and understand their legal arguments and outcomes.
- → Read AU’s “Church and State” magazine or blog to get a sense of their current advocacy priorities and messaging.
- → Familiarize yourself with AU’s organizational structure, particularly how the legal team collaborates with the advocacy and communications departments.
- → Study the biographies of current AU attorneys to understand their backgrounds and the types of cases they handle.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that does not explicitly mention church-state separation or AU’s mission; this signals a lack of genuine interest.
- Overemphasizing academic credentials without demonstrating practical litigation experience; AU values real-world case handling over elite school names.
- Failing to show collaborative spirit or mentioning only individual achievements; AU looks for team players who can mentor and work across departments.
📅 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 Americans United for Separation of Church and State!