Policy Counsel

Purpose:

The Policy Counsel primary responsibilities will revolve around providing legal analysis and strategic advice to PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates on matters that implicate the Planned Parenthood mission, focusing primarily on state and local legislation, regulations, and other policies.

Engagement:

• The Policy Counsel will work most closely with the other policy counsels, as well as with the rest of the L&L team.
• The position works across multiple divisions within PPFA, including but not limited to the communications, health care operations, and government relations teams and with Planned Parenthood’s affiliates across the country.
• The Policy Counsel will also work with other organizations and national coalitions to assist in the development of long- and short-term strategies to protect and expand access to reproductive health care across the country.
• The Policy Counsel will also support the career development of interns and paralegals and contribute to L&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Delivery:

• Partner directly with PPFA staff and Planned Parenthood affiliates on legislative, regulatory and, occasionally, compliance matters related to protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on various areas of law, including and especially aspects of reproductive health care, that impact Planned Parenthood affiliates.
• Conduct legal research and write memos and emails for Senior Policy Counsel and other attorneys related to state law questions.
• Provide in-depth analysis and development of state and local legislation, regulations, and administrative policies that impact reproductive rights, sexual and reproductive health care, and the ability of Planned Parenthood affiliates to deliver health care services.
• Support the career development of interns and paralegals
• Represent the L&L policy team in national coalition spaces, including at conferences and external presentations, meetings, and events, as appropriate.
• Contribute to L&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA accredited U.S. law school required
• Bar Admission: Eligible to practice in New York or Washington, DC
• Between 2-6 years of legal experience
• Be creative, detail-oriented, and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and enjoy working with others to solve complex policy problems impacting Planned Parenthood and our patients.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills across a variety of employees at all levels as well as outside partners and audiences.
• Established interest in public interest work, sexual and reproductive health and rights is a plus, but not mandatory
• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively about legal issues
• Ability to provide first-rate legal counsel to partners at all levels, including executive team and senior leaders
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with fellow attorneys, staff, and clients
• Demonstrated ability to exercise agility, adaptability, and practicality in providing legal advice.
• Excellent judgment and proven experience analyzing risks and making risk determinations
• Commitment to providing professional and timely legal advice and services to all clients
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complicated legal concepts into accessible language for a wide audience
• Demonstrated ability to excel under pressure in a fast-paced, highly innovative, and rapidly changing environment while maintaining and developing strong collaborative relationships with teams