Term of Employment: Full-Time, Exempt 

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Union: Bargaining Unit Position, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) 

Location: Remote (U.S. Based) 

Who We Are 

The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) accomplishes this mission by filing high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, gathering data about and advocating for effective regulation of animal exploitative industries and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law. 

 Role Description 

The Criminal Justice Program (CJP) Staff Attorney position furthers the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) by providing prosecutors and law enforcement with essential legal support on animal cruelty cases and encouraging the prosecution of animal crimes to ensure justice for animal victims. The Criminal Justice Program Staff Attorney is responsible for the day-to-day management of assigned cases and projects, including ensuring the completion of all necessary research and filings.

 How You Will Make a Difference  

· Assist prosecutors and courtroom animal advocates on animal cruelty cases at the trial level through factual and legal analysis of animal cruelty statutes, rules of criminal procedure, and other related laws; draft memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other documents as needed for trial preparation. Communicate directly with prosecutors and courtroom animal advocates regarding strategies for animal cruelty-specific issues.

· Assist law enforcement, animal control officers, and veterinarians with animal cruelty investigations, including reviewing affidavits, warrants, expert witness testimony, and veterinary reports.

· Identify and analyze the viability of potential animal cruelty charges in cases where criminal charges have not been filed, and draft correspondence to relevant law enforcement and prosecutors outlining the viability of a criminal cruelty case where appropriate.

· Communicate efficiently with complainants and advocates by phone and e-mail; gather relevant facts (through eyewitness accounts, media reports, and other sources as needed) for potential criminal cruelty cases; and identify, after thorough legal analysis, those cases warranting further investigation.

· Oversee drafting, editing, and submission of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of ALDF.

· Assist with the review, development, and advancement of new legislation relating to animal crimes in all 50 states and at the federal level.

· Coordinate and collaborate with Litigation Program staff on cases that have, or could have, both civil and criminal components; coordinate with Legislative Affairs Program on legislative matters with a criminal component.

· Work with Communications and other departments to answer questions on criminal legal issues and procedures.

· Field media requests from Communications as requested by the Criminal Justice Program Director.

· Create and conduct legal trainings on animal crimes for a range of audiences, including: criminal justice practitioners, courtroom animal advocates, law enforcement agents, animal control officers, judges, law students, and humane officers.

· Prepare and deliver presentations for other professional conferences, fundraising events, etc. as needed. Provide in-house expertise for staff on questions concerning Criminal Justice Program cases, animal cruelty cases in general and criminal procedures and legal strategy.

• Other criminal justice projects (e.g. intersection of animal law and criminal justice reform; effective sentencing models; emergent animal law/criminal law issues; etc.) as requested by Criminal Justice Program Managing Attorney .

Please note, this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position, which are subject to change in order to best advance ALDF’s strategic objectives and mission.  

 We Are Looking for Candidates With  

· Juris Doctor, excellent performance in law school, and admission to practice law in at least one state.

· Excellent organizational and prioritization skills and ability to meet deadlines.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Excellent legal research and writing skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, organizational members and supporters, members of the public, and others.

· Computer literacy.

· Positive attitude, ability to work cooperatively with others, and ability to function well in a team-oriented work environment.

· Understand and be committed to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

 The ability to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats (estimated 1-3 trips annually).  

We Offer Competitive Compensation with Excellent Benefits, Including:

• Starting annual salary of $95,100 for most geographic locations.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles, starting pay is $100,105.
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco, starting pay is $105,110.

 To ensure salary equity, we do not negotiate salary outside of the published starting rate. Rate is determined by role, using set geographical factors.

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) are also available 
• 192 hours of PTO
• 19 paid holidays  
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion)
• One-time remote work allowance of $750 
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Additional Information: 

This is a U.S. based position. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing an employment environment which is welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and in which all legal rights of our employees are recognized and protected. ALDF conducts all internal and external operations, programs, and employment-related decision making (including hiring decisions) without regard to actual or perceived race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, disability or medical condition (including physical, intellectual, or psychiatric), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, age, or other protected category, and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws.

Consistent with the organization’s mission, our offices and events are free of animal products and byproducts. 

 The application deadline for this position is July 27, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to apply early as we may make a decision before the deadline closes.