Managing Senior Counsel

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

The Public Policy Litigation & Law Department (PPL&L) represents PPFA and Planned Parenthood affiliates in policy matters that affect the mission of the organization. PPL&L seeks applicants for the position of a Managing Senior Staff Attorney (“MSSA”) or Managing Senior Counsel (“MSC”), with title be based on years of legal experience (if the successful candidate has 12-14 years of legal experience they will be a MSSA; if they have 15+ they will be a MSC). This role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least 2 days per week in-office (NYC or DC). This position reports to the PPL&L National Legal Director.

Purpose:

The position’s primary responsibilities will revolve around PPL&L’s work on issues of national importance regarding reproductive healthcare, with an emphasis on intersections of PPL&L’s litigation and policy work with legislative, regulatory, operational, clinical, and risk assessment and mitigation matters. The position may also include some supervising and engaging in litigation on the above and related issues.

The MSSA or MSC will also serve as the manager of several attorneys within the department and represent the interests of their direct reports to the management team of PPL&L.

Engagement:

The MSSA or MSC will work closely with other members of the PPL&L team as well as affiliate leadership and staff, other PPFA colleagues, coalition partners, and outside counsel.

Delivery:

The MSSA or MSC will work closely with the Vice President, National Legal Director, and other colleagues to develop and execute strategy on a range of issues of national importance where PPL&L’s work intersects with legislative, regulatory, operational, clinical, and risk assessment/mitigation matters.  This includes: 

● Working closely with legal, operational and clinical personnel to advise clients and drive strategy in navigating risk in a rapidly shifting post-Roe environment 

● Coordinating with internal and coalition colleagues around legislative and regulatory matters with significant litigation implications

● Ensuring that high-level operational, policy, and communications strategies are informed by litigation and public policy risks and opportunities 

● Monitoring key litigation and advising clients about issues it implicates, such as issues relating to compliance, risk, litigation, legislative and regulatory strategy, and communications

The MMSA or MSC should expect to lead and collaborate on a substantial and dynamic portfolio of issues in a fast-paced environment. Current and recent areas of focus include attacks on medication abortion; patients’ rights to travel across state lines to access abortion and other health care; attacks on gender affirming care; efforts to exclude Planned Parenthood affiliates from serving patients through publicly-funded public health programs; and attacks on Planned Parenthood’s federated structure.

Depending on need and experience, the MMSA or MSC’s portfolio may also include some supervising and engaging in litigation on the above and related issues. As part of their managerial responsibilities, the MSSA or MSC will:

● Engage in regular oversight of their direct reports, conducting regular check-ins

● Provide professional development support, preparing for and conducting quarterly and annual review

● Represent the interests of their direct reports and collaborate with the other people managers to advance those interests as well as those of the team as a whole

● In addition to their direct reports, support the career development of the team, including other attorneys, interns, and paralegals

The MSSA or MSC will contribute to PPL&L’s ongoing work to center the communities most affected by laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Required Qualifications:

● Law degree

● Twelve or more years of legal practice, including substantial experience helping sophisticated clients navigate complex legal and public policy environments in the context of reproductive rights or a closely related area

● Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and to diversity, equity, and inclusion across differences in race, ethnicity, religion, ability, cultural background, socio economic circumstance, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation

● Established interest in public interest work, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and/or impact litigation

Many different litigation career paths can develop skills that are valuable for this role; candidates are not expected to have experience in all aspects of the position. Experience in reproductive rights is not a requirement. Relevant skills and experience include:

● Litigation experience, including civil litigation experience at the trial court and/or appellate levels and experience working with outside litigation counsel

● Regulatory or compliance work, especially in connection with sophisticated clients navigating complex and shifting legal environments

● Experience working in a coalition and/or with co-counsel for multiple organizational clients

● Reproductive justice work

● Criminal defense and/or prosecutorial experience

● Communications work in connection with litigation or public policy issues

● Managing or supervising federal or state policy work

● Work on amicus briefs or strategy

● Managing, mentoring or supervising more junior attorneys or other colleagues

Travel: 0-10% domestic travel

Total offer package to include generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays, individual/family provided medical, dental and vision benefits effective day 1, life insurance, short/long term disability, paid family leave and 401k. We also offer voluntary opt-in for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Transportation/Commuter accounts.   

We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  We're committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

PPFA participates in the E-Verify program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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*PDN-HR

Roles that are denoted as NYC, DC, or both will work a hybrid schedule, requiring 2-3 days per week in the office unless the role is denoted as onsite, which requires working onsite full time or 5 days per week.