Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Staff Attorney, litigation team

at The Transgender Law Center

🏢 About The Transgender Law Center

Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization dedicated to liberating transgender and gender-nonconforming people through legal advocacy. What makes TLC unique is its commitment to being trans-led at all levels, ensuring authentic representation and community-centered approaches to dismantling systemic oppression. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that directly challenges discrimination and criminalization while centering the voices of those most impacted.

About This Role

As Senior Staff Attorney on the litigation team, you'll lead complex civil rights cases from investigation through appeals, with a focus on criminalized transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. This role is impactful because you'll not only litigate precedent-setting cases but also engage in direct advocacy with public defenders and prison officials, creating tangible change for incarcerated community members. You'll shape litigation strategy while collaborating with co-counsel to advance TLC's mission of liberation through the legal system.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing potential case referrals from community partners, drafting discovery requests for an ongoing civil rights lawsuit, and coordinating with co-counsel on litigation strategy. You could spend the afternoon conducting legal research on emerging issues affecting incarcerated transgender people, followed by calls with public defenders about client advocacy needs. The role balances deep legal work with direct client and community engagement throughout the litigation process.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Transgender Law Center Is Looking For

  • A licensed attorney with 5+ years in civil rights litigation, criminal defense, or legal aid who has managed cases through all litigation stages including trial and appeals
  • Someone with demonstrated experience advocating for incarcerated or criminalized populations, particularly through policy work or direct client representation in these contexts
  • An attorney deeply familiar with transgender and gender-nonconforming communities, preferably with prior work experience in these spaces or strong community connections
  • A strategic litigator who can both develop innovative case theories and handle the practical demands of motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations

📝 Tips for Applying to The Transgender Law Center

1

Highlight specific litigation experience with incarcerated or criminalized populations, quantifying case outcomes or advocacy results when possible

2

Demonstrate your understanding of TLC's trans-led philosophy by describing how you've centered community voices in previous legal work

3

Include examples of creative advocacy beyond traditional litigation, such as letters to prison officials or collaboration with public defenders

4

Show familiarity with intersectional issues affecting transgender communities, particularly at the crossroads of criminalization and civil rights

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize motion practice, discovery management, and appellate experience since the role requires handling all litigation stages

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your direct experience with incarcerated or criminalized populations and how it prepares you for TLC's advocacy approach", 'Specific examples of developing litigation strategy and managing complex cases from investigation through resolution', 'Your connection to transgender and gender-nonconforming communities and understanding of intersectional oppression', "Why TLC's trans-led model resonates with you and how you'll contribute to their community-centered litigation philosophy"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review TLC's recent litigation victories and current cases, particularly those involving criminalized populations
  • → Study TLC's organizational values and trans-led leadership model to understand their unique approach
  • → Familiarize yourself with their advocacy priorities beyond litigation, including policy work and community programs
  • → Research the specific challenges facing incarcerated transgender people, particularly in the states where you're barred
Visit The Transgender Law Center's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience developing litigation strategy for civil rights cases involving incarcerated individuals
2 How would you approach investigating potential cases involving criminalized transgender people?
3 Share an example of creative advocacy you've employed beyond traditional litigation methods
4 How do you center community voices and experiences when developing legal strategies?
5 What experience do you have working with co-counsel on complex litigation, particularly with movement lawyering approaches?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic diversity statements without demonstrating specific understanding of transgender community issues
  • Focusing only on traditional litigation experience without highlighting advocacy for criminalized populations
  • Failing to acknowledge TLC's trans-led model or suggesting top-down approaches to community work

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Transgender Law Center!

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