Counsel/Senior Counsel, Liberty and National Security Program

Program Overview

The Brennan Center seeks a skilled attorney to join our Liberty and National Security Program (LNS). The LNS Program works to advance effective national security policies that respect the rule of law and constitutional values. Our current program priorities include ensuring that Congress and the courts serve their constitutional role as a check on executive power in the area of national security; bolstering First and Fourth Amendment protections in the digital age, including with respect to governmental surveillance and data collection; ending racial, religious, and ethnic profiling in counterterrorism policies; enhancing transparency, oversight, and accountability for intelligence and law enforcement agencies at both the federal and local levels; ensuring that national security artificial intelligence is deployed only when it is safe, effective, fair; and reforming emergency powers to strengthen safeguards against abuse.

Responsibilities

• Working with the LNS team on a project to reconceive the future of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent abuse of its broad authorities.
• Developing, drafting, and supervising legal and policy research and analyses.
• Producing written reports and other public educational materials that support policy advocacy, legislative reform, and communications initiatives.
• Writing and speaking for both legal and non-legal audiences, including speaking with news media, drafting opinion pieces and blog posts, participating in conferences, and other public appearances.
• Consulting with and advocating to lawmakers and other decision makers.
• Conceiving and planning public events and private convenings with experts from different fields.
• Participating in and organizing coalitions.
• Depending on the team’s needs, participating in litigation as amicus or counsel, including supervising research projects and reviewing work product, writing briefs, and developing strategy with team members, allied organizations, and/or pro bono law firm counsel
• Contributing relevant legal and technical expertise and strategic advice to support the program’s work.
• Mentoring and supervising other attorneys as appropriate (if Senior Counsel), as well as legal interns and program support staff, reviewing and providing feedback on work product and other projects.
• Contributing to productive and collegial work within the team and across departments, including participation in recruitment and hiring, administration, communications, and development.

Qualifications

• Required: J.D. and admission to the bar of the office where the employee is based. Eligible to practice or apply for admission to the state’s Bar within 6 months of hire.
• Ideal: Demonstrated capacity to drive projects and outcomes; strong ability and interest in writing for legal, policy, and public audiences; outstanding research and analytical skills; comfort with public speaking and ability to work with media; proven ability to work in coalition with other organizations and with diverse constituencies; excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and delegate effectively in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment; strong initiative and ability to work independently, combined with a “team player” mentality; strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work diplomatically and effectively with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization; resilience, a sense of humor, and a solutions-oriented outlook; a background in one or more of the following areas: civil liberties, homeland or national security, human rights law, or legislative advocacy (or other legislative experience).

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with interviews planned to begin in May 2026. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is found. To apply, please visit <> and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) writing sample (up to 10 pages), and (4) contact information for three supervisor references. If applicable, include internet hyperlinks to authored writing samples. Applications without all listed materials will not be considered.