The Center for Science in the Public Interest is seeking a full-time Legal Affairs Attorney to work remotely or in our Washington, DC office to research legal issues develop, materials, and provide technical support to policymakers and advocates working on national, state, and local food and nutrition policies. The position is grant-funded with the potential for extension based on funding. 

The ideal candidate would be a reliable, effective collaborator who thoroughly vets policies and communicates clear, definitive, well-researched advice, serving as the trusted last line of review on critical legal questions. They will be an experienced researcher and clear communicator, understanding how to collect and communicate concepts from statutes, regulations, and caselaw and produce concise, well-organized materials in a variety of formats for policy and lay audiences. This position is an opportunity to engage across multiple teams and outside experts to inform policy development on a variety of food and nutrition policies.

About CSPI

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) works to improve the food environment for all Americans, working closely with policymakers, advocates, and the public health community to implement science-based policies. CSPI has led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school foods, remove sugary drinks from children’s menus, and require calorie labeling on chain restaurant menus. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Legal Affairs Attorney reports to the Deputy Director for Regulatory Affairs and will be responsible for the following:

• Advise on design of model policies for national, state, and local campaigns across five policy teams, potentially including work involving Healthy Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Sugar and Sodium Warning Icons, Healthy Retail, Restaurant Kids Meals, and School Foods.
• Review and draft local, state, and federal legislative materials related to nutrition policy.
• Vette policies to minimize conflict with federal law or the First Amendment.
• Research state lobbying laws and work with administrative staff and grantees to ensure hours and expenses are tracked appropriately to ensure compliance with federal, state and local registration and reporting requirements.
• Provide legal advice on matters relating to litigation risk, including libel, defamation, and scope of attorney-client privilege.
• Draft and review comments, petitions, letters, reports, fact sheets, and other documents to support local, state, federal, and corporate policy/advocacy efforts.

 Qualifications

We’re seeking candidates who are effective collaborators with substantial legal research experience, strong written and oral communication skills, and a high level of attention to detail.

The ideal candidate would have:

• Law degree (J.D.) from American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Substantial post-graduate relevant professional legal experience.
• Membership in good standing of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.
• Strong legal research skills with the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret legislation, regulations, and caselaw.
• Ability to produce well-organized, concise written materials in a variety of formats (e.g., legal memoranda, fact sheets, reports, letters).
• Effective collaboration skills, including working with team members to deliver results with a short turn-around, developing relationships with experts, and seeking advice where appropriate.
• A high level of attention to detail, capable of noticing errors that others might have overlooked and circling back to fix them.
• Clearly understands and is committed to CSPI’s public interest mission.

Knowledge of nutrition policy issues, prior experience with legislative drafting, and/or substantial experience with issues related to First Amendment or federal preemption are helpful, but not required for the position.

Compensation

The salary range is $85,000 - $100,000, based on experience. CSPI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 3 weeks of annual vacation leave; additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1; 8 weeks of paid parental leave; excellent medical and dental insurance with CSPI paying a significant portion of employee and dependent premiums; and a 3% employer match contribution to the retirement plan after one year of service.

To Apply

Please utilize CSPI's Paylocity Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to apply for the Legal Affairs Attorney position. You will be asked to submit a resume and cover letter indicating relevant experience and interest. Application deadline: July 14, 2021. This position is closed. We are no longer considering applications.

Apply for Legal Affairs Attorney

CSPI is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspective, and skills and encourage people of diverse ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, work, and life experiences to apply.