Application Guide
How to Apply for Vice President, Civil and Human Rights
at Lawyers for Good Government
🏢 About Lawyers for Good Government
Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes a network of over 125,000 volunteer attorneys and advocates to defend democracy, protect civil and human rights, and advance environmental justice. Founded in 2016, L4GG has grown to nearly 60 staff and is known for its rapid response to legal threats and its multi-year programs that deliver direct services, strategic litigation, and policy reform. Working here means being part of a dynamic, mission-driven team that leverages pro bono legal value to maximize impact.
About This Role
As the Vice President of Civil and Human Rights, you will lead L4GG's Civil & Human Rights pillar, overseeing strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and program development. This role is pivotal in shaping the organization's efforts to protect marginalized communities and uphold fundamental rights. You will manage a team, collaborate with partner organizations, and mobilize the volunteer network to achieve systemic change, making a tangible difference in the lives of those most affected by rights violations.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your team to discuss ongoing cases and priorities, followed by a strategy session with partner organizations on a new advocacy campaign. You might review a draft brief or policy memo, meet with volunteer attorneys to guide their pro bono work, and end the day by writing a blog post or preparing testimony for an upcoming hearing, all while navigating the fast-paced, mission-driven environment of L4GG.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Lawyers for Good Government Is Looking For
- A seasoned attorney with 10+ years of experience in civil rights, human rights, or related public interest law, with a proven track record of leading complex litigation and advocacy campaigns.
- Strategic thinker with experience in program development and management, including supervising staff and managing budgets, ideally in a nonprofit or legal services setting.
- Strong networker and collaborator, able to build coalitions with grassroots organizations, legal partners, and policymakers to amplify impact.
- Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to represent L4GG in public forums, media, and high-level meetings, and to inspire and mobilize volunteer attorneys.
📝 Tips for Applying to Lawyers for Good Government
Tailor your resume to highlight specific civil and human rights litigation or advocacy successes, quantifying outcomes where possible (e.g., number of clients served, policy changes achieved).
In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of L4GG's unique model of leveraging pro bono attorneys and mention specific programs or cases they have handled that resonate with your experience.
Showcase your leadership experience, not just in managing teams but in mentoring and developing staff, as this role requires building and sustaining a high-performing team.
Highlight your experience working remotely or with distributed teams, as L4GG operates fully remotely and values self-motivation and strong virtual collaboration skills.
Include a portfolio or examples of your work (e.g., briefs, policy papers, or campaign materials) that demonstrate your ability to translate legal expertise into tangible impact.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express your passion for civil and human rights and your alignment with L4GG's mission to defend democracy and the rule of law.", 'Detail your specific experience in leading civil rights litigation or advocacy, and how it has prepared you to lead this pillar.', "Mention your familiarity with L4GG's work, such as their rapid response initiatives or long-term programs, and propose ideas for how you would advance their civil and human rights agenda.", "Emphasize your ability to mobilize and inspire volunteer attorneys, as this is core to L4GG's model, and provide examples of how you've done so in the past."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review L4GG's website and annual reports to understand their current programs in civil and human rights, and identify any recent victories or ongoing campaigns.
- → Read about L4GG's founding story and how they've evolved since 2016, including their three pillars and how they integrate civil rights with environmental justice.
- → Explore media coverage of L4GG's work, including op-eds, news articles, and press releases, to see how they position themselves in the public discourse.
- → Check the LinkedIn profiles of current or past staff in leadership roles to understand the team's background and potential colleagues.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't reference L4GG's specific mission, programs, or recent work; they want to see genuine interest and understanding.
- Avoid focusing solely on your litigation experience without showing how you can lead programs, manage staff, and mobilize volunteers, as this role is strategic and managerial.
- Don't overlook the remote nature of the role; emphasize your ability to work independently and communicate effectively across time zones, and avoid mentioning a desire for a traditional office environment.
📅 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 Lawyers for Good Government!