Job Summary:
The Legal Director's precise portfolio can be tailored to their interests and experience, but we anticipate that their work will primarily involve guiding our amicus brief strategy and managing large research projects, in conjunction with SDRI's faculty co-directors and executive director. Likely responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Supervising the work of staff attorneys;
Identifying democracy-related litigation of interest around the country and leading amicus curiae efforts to represent the views of scholars who have studied issues relevant to those cases;
Designing and managing complex legal research projects involving state-level democracy, state constitutions, and state institutions;
Sharing research findings and legal analysis in multiple mediums, including through scholarly publications, writing for popular audiences, media briefings, and webinars or CLE presentations;
Supervising student research, with the possibility of being appointed as an adjunct professor to co-teach a relevant course within the field of democracy or state and local government law;
Briefing or advising a variety of stakeholders on questions of state-level democracy and public law;
Conceiving of and overseeing conference and other gatherings to improve public understanding of topics related to our mission.
Responsibilities:
Provides research expertise to fundamental and applied scientific research and develops, designs, and conducts one or more moderately complex research projects to support the advancement of research.
- 20% Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures
- 20% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, authors or co-authors publications, and disseminates information to appropriate entities through various communication mediums
- 10% Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
- 15% Develops and implements complex research projects, methodologies, procedures, and criteria
- 20% Reviews and evaluates results
- 15% Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and student workers
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
Terminal Degree
JD required.
Qualifications:
Experience leading a team of lawyers in a firm, nonprofit, or government setting;
Familiarity with and interest in state public law, state government institutions, and/or state constitutions, within a state or across states;
Experience managing complex legal research projects;
Significant experience writing excellent appellate-level briefs;
Significant experience communicating in writing, through media and public speaking for a variety of audiences within and outside of the legal profession;
Experience interacting with a wide range of stakeholders in a fair-minded way that encourages collaboration and inclusion and fosters the exchange of ideas;
Experience and comfort teaching students or peers.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $110,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Salary will be commensurate with the hired applicant's previous experience and qualifications.
Additional Information:
The State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School, https://statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/, seeks a Legal Director to join our team. In this role, you will advance our multi-faceted, nonpartisan efforts to foster research and dialogue on pressing questions of public law and democracy in states across the nation.
The Initiative's work is rooted in the idea that to preserve democracy, we must first understand it. Currently, scholarly and popular discourse on U.S. democracy focuses disproportionately on federal laws and institutions. States often get short shrift, even though they are central to our democratic system. Accordingly, the Initiative aims to foster knowledge of and engagement with state-level institutions throughout the country.
The Legal Director will collaborate with staff attorneys and our faculty directors, dividing their time between legal research and writing on the Initiative's research projects; research and drafting amicus briefs on behalf of scholars in relevant cases across the country; analyzing the legal dimensions of current events for varied audiences; and conducting educational programming for both the public and our students.
Because the Initiative has a national focus, the Legal Director position is not limited to candidates who practice law in or reside in Wisconsin. We also seek applications from candidates with strong ties to other states. For candidates based in Wisconsin, we envision an in-person working arrangement with the potential for hybrid work. For candidates based elsewhere, we can accommodate fully remote work.
The ideal candidate will be an outstanding attorney with substantial experience drafting appellate briefs and analyzing complex legal questions at the state level; an excellent writer with comfort writing not just briefs, but also white papers, academic essays, blog posts, or op-eds; and a team player with enthusiasm for working with peers and students alike. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
How to Apply:
Applicants must apply through the Jobs at UW website (www.jobs.wisc.edu) by submitting a cover letter and resume to Job #311907 by the consideration date.
Contact:
Justin Boehm
justin.boehm@wisc.edu
608-890-4466
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Researcher III(RE042)
Department(s):
A45-LAW SCHOOL/LAW SCHOOL/LAW SCHOOL
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
311907-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
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University of Wisconsin Madison
$110,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
remote work
Feb 15, 2025