Title: Associate Director for Impact Litigation

Reports to: Chief Counsel and VP, Giffords Law Center

Direct reports: Senior Litigation Attorney, Litigation Attorney

Hours: Full-time, exempt

Location: Within the continental US

Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, GIFFORDS is a nonprofit organization whose team is on a mission to save lives from gun violence. GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more than three decades, the experts at GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the legal arm of GIFFORDS, have been fighting for a safer America by researching, drafting, and defending the laws, policies, and programs proven to save lives from gun violence. Founded in the wake of a 1993 mass shooting in San Francisco, in 2016 we joined forces with former Congresswoman and gun violence survivor Gabrielle Giffords to form a courageous new force for gun safety that stretches coast to coast.

GIFFORDS Law Center is seeking an Associate Director for Impact Litigation to join our team. The Associate Director is a senior attorney who will lead high-impact affirmative litigation designed to advance gun industry accountability and reduce gun violence. This role requires seasoned judgment, extensive litigation experience, and a strong commitment to addressing the systemic drivers of gun harm. The Associate Director will oversee case development and litigation strategy, manage a portfolio of industry-focused and community-protection cases, and manage two attorneys focusing on impact litigation, while working with a broader team of attorneys involved in industry accountability and Second Amendment litigation. They will help shape the organization’s legal vision and expand the field of gun violence prevention litigation nationwide.

This is a full-time remote position based in the contiguous US. This position requires the ability and willingness to travel up to 10-15% of the time, as well as interest and ability in staffing occasional weekend and evening events. 

Duties + Responsibilities:

Strategic case management and litigation

• Identify, investigate, and develop affirmative litigation to address gun violence, including cases focused on gun industry misconduct, negligent or unlawful distribution practices, deceptive marketing, and other practices that contribute to harm from gun violence.
• Lead all phases of litigation from factual investigation, drafting pleadings, discovery, motion practice, negotiations, through trial and the appellate process.
• Utilize federal, state, and local laws and statutes and innovative legal theories to advance community safety and accountability.
• Work closely with policy, government affairs, research, community violence intervention, and communications teams to ensure litigation is integrated into broader organizational strategies and advocacy work.
• Build and maintain relationships with survivors, impacted communities, public officials, local advocates, investigators, co-counsel, and pro bono partners to support case development and litigation goals.

Team leadership and management

• Supervise and lead a team of attorneys and other team members towards the achievement of team and individual goals.
• Ensure high quality, mission-critical work across the affirmative litigation team
• Work closely with the Chief Counsel and VP of GIFFORDS Law Center to define long-term litigation priorities and strengthen internal systems.
• Follow GIFFORDS best practices for management and support of a team
• Promote an inclusive, trauma-informed, and equity-centered team culture that values collaboration and learning.

Cross-team and external engagement

• Represent the organization in court, in meetings with public officials, in coalition spaces, and at conferences or convenings related to gun violence prevention and industry accountability.
• Partner with the development team on grant proposals, reports, and donor engagement related to litigation work.
• Support the communications team in developing messaging, including working with press, that elevates the impact of litigation and centers survivors and affected communities.
• Contribute to organizational initiatives, cross-team strategy efforts, and leadership discussions.

Required knowledge, skills + experience

• J.D. and admission to at least one state bar (or eligibility for timely admission).
• Minimum of 7 years of litigation experience, with substantial affirmative, complex, or impact litigation responsibility.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working on issues related to gun violence prevention.
• Demonstrated commitment to gun violence prevention and/or related areas such as consumer protection, civil rights, public health, or corporate accountability.
• Experience developing and leading cases involving complex factual records, expert testimony, and industry practices.
• Prior experience supervising or mentoring attorneys or legal staff.
• Exceptional legal writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple litigation matters in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Strong commitment to trauma-informed practice, and working respectfully with survivors and communities disproportionately affected by gun violence.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse partners, including advocates, experts, survivors, and government entities.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

Valued non-essential knowledge, skills, + experience

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Salary + benefits

The salary range for this position is $128,720-$154,181 annually, with the exact salary depending on equivalent experience. Competitive benefits include employer-funded health, dental, and vision insurance; health, transit, and parking flexible spending accounts; 401k plan with 4% employer match; reimbursement for cell phone and monthly wifi stipend; 25 days of PTO annually plus paid week closure at the end of the calendar year; and 10 paid federal holidays.

Applying + the interview process

Submit your resume and a one-page cover letter that describes your interest in the role and features knowledge, skills, and experience not readily apparent in your resume.  Our interview process for this position consists of a phone interview, a video panel interview, a possible skills assessment exercise, final interview, reference checks, and a background check. To ensure an equitable application and interview process, we ask that all candidates refrain from using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, or similar). Our hiring process is also free from AI use.

GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.