Position Objectives:

• Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, and interacting directly with senior leadership at PETA and all supported organizations, this position leads and supervises the daily operations of the world’s largest animal rights legal team with 20+ attorneys, veterinarians, wildlife specialists, and other professionals

• Provide direction, legal advice, and assistance on a wide range of issues, including investigations, administrative law, the development and management of litigation, and all aspects of corporate and exempt organization legal work

• Represent and present on behalf of the Legal and Corporate Affairs Department to donors, public bodies, and the media 

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide strategic direction to the Legal and Corporate Affairs Department

• Supervise attorneys and staff members, including assigning, prioritizing, and reviewing projects

• Select, develop, and manage Legal Department staff members

• Supervise fellowship and internship programs. 

• Assist with the management of specific Legal and Corporate Affairs Department operations, including annual budgeting, insurance, and employment matters

• Research, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal law.

• Prepare correspondence, complaints, and other submissions to agencies, prosecutors, and law-enforcement personnel 

• Communicate with prosecutors, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on a variety of legal issues

• Assist client caseworkers, researchers, and campaigners with a wide array of legal issues that arise in their cases

• Assist in the formulation, development, and management of litigation 

• Take a leadership role in making presentations on legal initiatives to donors, government agencies, and the media as one of the Legal and Corporate Affairs Department’s primary spokespeople 

• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor

• A J.D. degree

• Minimum of ten years of legal experience

• Minimum of four years of effective management experience

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and the ability to pivot between diverse legal issues 

• Creativity and a willingness to push-the-envelope in using the law to end animal exploitation and to advocate for meaningful advancements in animal rights

• Litigation experience as well as expertise in animal law, administrative law, and/or environmental law 

• Member in good standing of a state bar association

• Proven effective leadership skills 

• Proven excellent legal research, writing, and verbal advocacy skills, including in donor and media relations

• Support for PETA's philosophy and the ability to professionally advocate PETA's positions on issues

• Extensive knowledge of animal rights issues and PETA campaigns

• Commitment to the objectives of the organization

The salary range for this position is $134,115.00 to $167,012.00 annually. The ultimate salary within this range that will be offered to a qualified candidate will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the cost of living in the area in which the candidate will live and work. 

A list of benefits available to qualified employees is available here.

Application Deadline: 

Applications for this position will be accepted until January 12, 2025.

We may fill this job opening before the deadline if we find a qualified candidate.