Application Guide

How to Apply for Sr. RLDF Counsel

at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

🏢 About If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

If/When/How is unique as a reproductive justice organization that combines direct legal services with systemic advocacy, representing individuals in crisis while working to reshape laws nationwide. Their intersectional approach to reproductive justice—addressing criminalization, immigration, and family law—makes them a leader in this specialized field. Someone would want to work here to be part of a mission-driven team that provides trauma-informed legal support while fighting for systemic change.

About This Role

As Sr. RLDF Counsel, you'll provide confidential, trauma-informed legal services to clients facing reproductive justice-related criminalization, while supervising staff and developing training materials. This role is impactful because you'll directly support vulnerable individuals in crisis while building resources that help dismantle systems of oppression through research, advocacy, and education.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve conducting confidential client intakes for individuals facing reproductive justice-related criminal charges, supervising junior staff on active cases, and researching state-specific bail laws to support client advocacy. You could also be developing training materials on criminalization trends or participating in team meetings to coordinate RLDF's national response to emerging legal threats.

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of direct experience representing indigent clients in criminal, family, or immigration defense with demonstrated trauma-informed practice
  • Possesses deep knowledge of bail/bond laws across multiple jurisdictions and experience researching state-by-state legal variations
  • Is comfortable with public speaking and has experience developing and delivering trainings on legal topics to diverse audiences
  • Demonstrates a clear commitment to reproductive justice, anti-racist principles, and intersectional advocacy in their professional history

📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

1

Highlight specific experience with trauma-informed legal practice and provide concrete examples of working with indigent clients in crisis situations

2

Demonstrate your knowledge of reproductive justice beyond abortion rights—show understanding of how criminalization, immigration, and family law intersect with reproductive autonomy

3

Include examples of developing training materials or public speaking engagements related to social justice or legal advocacy

4

Show familiarity with If/When/How's specific programs and cases by referencing their recent work in your materials

5

Emphasize your ability to work remotely while maintaining client confidentiality and managing a distributed team

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience providing legal services to indigent populations, specifically in criminal, family, or immigration defense contexts', "Examples of trauma-informed client advocacy and how you've adapted legal practice to support people in crisis", 'Your commitment to reproductive justice as demonstrated through previous work, volunteer activities, or professional development', 'Experience with training development and public speaking, particularly on topics related to criminalization or social justice']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review If/When/How's Reproductive Justice Legal Defense Fund (RLDF) cases and client stories on their website
  • → Study their recent advocacy work around criminalization of pregnancy outcomes and their intersectional approach to reproductive justice
  • → Familiarize yourself with their network of lawyers and partners working on reproductive justice issues nationwide
  • → Understand their specific stance on how criminal, immigration, and family law systems intersect with reproductive autonomy
Visit If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to trauma-informed legal practice when working with clients in crisis situations
2 How would you research and compare bail/bond laws across different states to support RLDF clients?
3 Share an example of developing and delivering a training on a complex legal topic to non-legal audiences
4 How do you approach supervising staff in high-stakes, emotionally challenging cases while maintaining team well-being?
5 What does reproductive justice mean to you, and how have you incorporated anti-racist principles into your legal practice?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic social justice language without demonstrating specific understanding of reproductive justice principles and intersectionality
  • Focusing only on abortion rights without addressing the broader reproductive justice framework that includes criminalization, immigration, and economic justice
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of working with indigent clients or trauma-informed practice in your application materials

📅 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 If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice!

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