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: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice is unique as a legal services and advocacy organization specifically focused on reproductive justice through direct representation, legal reform, and movement building. Working here means joining a network of lawyers dedicated to defending reproductive rights in courts, legislatures, and communities, with a strong commitment to racial justice and anti-racist principles.
About This Role
As Sr. RLDF Counsel in Germany, this part-time role involves providing direct legal services to indigent people in crisis, likely focusing on criminal, family, or immigration defense cases with reproductive justice implications. The position will require public speaking, organizing trainings, and contributing to reshaping laws while building networks of lawyers working for reproductive justice in an international context.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing cases of indigent clients with reproductive justice implications, preparing legal documents or court appearances, conducting research on German/European reproductive rights law, and potentially organizing or conducting training sessions for other lawyers. You might also participate in strategy calls with U.S.-based colleagues and network with European reproductive rights advocates.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Is Looking For
- A U.S.-licensed attorney with 3-5 years of hands-on experience representing indigent clients in criminal, family, or immigration defense cases
- Someone with demonstrated commitment to reproductive justice, racial justice, and anti-racist principles through previous work or advocacy
- A professional comfortable with public speaking and organizing legal trainings, possibly with experience in international or comparative reproductive rights contexts
- An attorney who understands the unique challenges of providing legal services to marginalized populations and can navigate cross-cultural legal environments
📝 Tips for Applying to If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Explicitly connect your direct service experience with indigent populations to reproductive justice issues, even if your cases weren't explicitly labeled as such
Highlight any international experience or understanding of German/European reproductive rights context, as this role is based in Germany
Demonstrate your commitment to anti-racist principles with specific examples from your legal practice or advocacy work
Address how you've handled part-time legal work or managed caseloads efficiently, given the part-time nature of the position
Mention any experience with training other lawyers or public speaking on legal issues, as this is explicitly mentioned in the requirements
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience representing indigent clients and how it relates to reproductive justice (e.g., defending pregnant people in criminal cases, family law cases with reproductive autonomy implications)', "Your understanding of If/When/How's unique approach combining direct services, legal reform, and movement building", 'How your commitment to racial justice and anti-racist principles manifests in your legal practice', "Why you're interested in working on reproductive justice issues specifically in Germany/European context"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → If/When/How's specific cases and advocacy campaigns, particularly any international work they've done
- → Current reproductive rights landscape in Germany and the European Union
- → The organization's Racial Justice Principles and how they implement them in their work
- → If/When/How's network-building initiatives and how they engage lawyers in reproductive justice work
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to connect your legal experience specifically to reproductive justice principles and anti-racist practice
- Treating this as just another legal job without demonstrating understanding of If/When/How's unique movement-building approach
- Not addressing the international/Germany-based aspect of the role or showing cultural awareness of working in a different legal system
📅 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 If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice!