Application Guide

How to Apply for Tech Counsel, AI for Democracy Action Lab

at Protect Democracy

🏢 About Protect Democracy

Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to preventing authoritarianism in the United States. The organization uniquely combines legal advocacy, policy work, and communications to defend democratic institutions. Working here means joining a mission-driven team at the forefront of protecting democracy from emerging threats, including those posed by AI.

About This Role

As Tech Counsel for the AI for Democracy Action Lab, you will develop and advance creative impact litigation and legal strategies at the frontier of AI law. This role is pivotal in shaping how AI governance evolves to protect democratic processes, from combating disinformation to ensuring algorithmic accountability. You will work alongside communication experts to amplify legal efforts through integrated advocacy campaigns.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve drafting a legal memo on AI-related election interference, collaborating with the communications team to prepare a press release about a new filing, and meeting with co-counsel to strategize on an impact litigation case. You might also review emerging AI regulations and attend a webinar on AI governance to stay ahead of developments.

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🎯 Who Protect Democracy Is Looking For

  • Deep expertise in AI law and governance, including familiarity with emerging regulations (e.g., EU AI Act, state AI laws) and technical concepts like large language models.
  • Proven experience in impact litigation or strategic legal advocacy, particularly in technology or civil rights contexts.
  • Exceptional research, drafting, and editing skills for complex legal filings and policy documents, with a track record of producing clear, persuasive arguments.
  • Ability to collaborate across teams, especially with communications professionals to translate legal strategies into public-facing campaigns.

📝 Tips for Applying to Protect Democracy

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific AI-related legal work, such as cases involving algorithmic bias, disinformation, or AI governance policy.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your past impact litigation experience to Protect Democracy's mission of preventing authoritarianism.

3

Research Protect Democracy's existing AI initiatives (e.g., their work on deepfakes or election integrity) and reference them in your application.

4

Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to argue novel legal theories at the intersection of AI and democracy.

5

Show your understanding of the nonpartisan nature of the organization by avoiding partisan language in your application materials.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for using law to defend democratic institutions from AI-related threats.', 'Specific examples of how you have developed or litigated innovative legal arguments in technology law.', 'Your experience collaborating with non-legal teams (e.g., communications, policy) to achieve advocacy goals.', 'Your vision for how AI governance can be shaped through impact litigation and why Protect Democracy is the right venue for that work.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Protect Democracy's recent publications and litigation on AI, such as their amicus briefs or reports on deepfakes.
  • → Understand the organization's overall theory of change and how the AI for Democracy Action Lab fits into it.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key AI governance debates, including the tension between innovation and regulation, and the role of courts.
  • → Read about the team members you would work with, especially the lab's director and other legal staff.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a legal strategy to challenge the use of AI-generated disinformation in elections?
2 Describe a time you developed a novel legal argument in a technology case. What was the outcome?
3 How do you stay current on AI developments and translate them into legal strategies?
4 How would you work with the communications team to frame a legal victory for public impact?
5 What do you see as the biggest legal challenge to democracy posed by AI in the next five years?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention AI or Protect Democracy's specific mission.
  • Focusing too much on partisan politics rather than the nonpartisan defense of democratic institutions.
  • Overlooking the collaborative nature of the role—emphasizing only individual legal work without showing teamwork.

📅 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 Protect Democracy!

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