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Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative Managing Counsel to join our legal team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington. This position is a unique opportunity to be on the front lines of the fight for a more ethical, accountable, and open government, while working alongside smart, dedicated, and kind people. 

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog, CREW is dedicated to preserving our democratic institutions, defending the rule of law, rooting out government misconduct and corruption, and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a creative, driven attorney with extensive case management experience who is committed to our mission and values. We welcome diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences.

Role Summary:

The Managing Counsel will play a key role in setting, tracking, and executing on CREW’s litigation priorities and will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Counsel and the President. The Managing Counsel will develop and handle their own strategic impact litigation and pre-litigation work (case formulation and strategy, outreach, drafting, court appearances, and related advocacy), and assist in managing litigation as needed.

The ideal candidate for this role is a litigator with at least 12 years of experience and subject-matter expertise on government and regulatory litigation, administrative law, constitutional law, and/or election law. The candidate should be a self-starter with entrepreneurial legal instincts, deep legal networks in their areas of expertise, experience managing teams of attorneys and support staff on complex litigation, and a track record of successfully developing and leading impact litigation.

The Managing Counsel will report to the Chief Counsel, and will help oversee and work closely with a team of six litigators, two legal fellows, and two paralegals. The position is based in Washington, D.C. with hybrid work options potentially available.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop, influence, drive, and lead strategic impact litigation and related advocacy focused on promoting accountability, transparency, and ethics in government, preserving our democratic institutions, and defending the rule of law. 
• Perform and oversee core litigation tasks including legal research; fact development; identifying and working with clients and witnesses; drafting pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda; participating in and managing discovery;  and conducting motion hearings (including motions for emergency relief), evidentiary hearings, and oral arguments in trial and appellate courts.
• Support organizational leadership as a first-level reviewer in supervising and monitoring litigation and related advocacy, mentoring and training attorneys and paralegals, aiding with skills development, and improving internal organizational processes.
• Drawing on existing legal networks, identify and develop opportunities to collaborate with partner organizations, pro bono law firms, and potential clients on new litigation matters.
• Drawing on existing legal networks, develop, build, and foster relationships with partner organizations, advocates, pro bono law firms, potential clients, academics, and other potential litigation collaborators
• Participate in public speaking opportunities, including at conferences and with the media.
• Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and other public engagements
• Collaborate with staff across the organization—including policy, communications, and research professionals—to support legal and advocacy strategies, and to help translate complex legal issues for wider audiences.

Qualifications:

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet each and every qualification listed below.

• J.D. required
• Admitted or eligible to waive in for admission to the D.C. Bar
• 12+ years of substantive litigation experience (including clerkships and fellowships)
• Experience managing teams of attorneys and support staff in complex litigation matters, communicating agendas and priorities, and coordinating with external partners
• Substantial experience litigating on behalf of or against governments (federal or state)
• Substantial experience working independently to develop plaintiff-side impact litigation
• Deep expertise in one or more of the following areas: administrative law, constitutional law, privacy and data security laws, federal civil service laws, public records laws, or election law
• Deep legal networks in areas of expertise
• Experience mentoring, training, and supporting junior staff members 
• Experience building and managing partner and client relationships
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment

Compensation/Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000-$195,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. We are always working to improve our benefits program, currently they include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits with a $50/month employer contribution
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
• One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly
• Free virtual yoga classes
  

How to apply

Please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected]. Please include your last name and “Managing Counsel” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) seeks a passionate and creative advocate to join our team and help us secure our democracy and build a better Washington. 

Project 2025 set out a wildly unpopular vision to gut the federal government, tear down checks and balances and democratic protections, and push the bounds of presidential authority beyond long-recognized constitutional and legal limits. Rebuilding American democracy after this assault will require a comprehensive long-term plan. To respond to this need, CREW has launched a multi-year project to work with policy experts, academics, grassroots leaders, as well as local, state, and federal legislators to develop a blueprint to rebuild our democracy.

As a leading nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog committed to innovative policy work, CREW is dedicated to defending our democratic institutions, rooting out government corruption, building an ethical and accountable judiciary, and fighting the influence of money in politics through legal action and communications grounded by in-depth research. CREW is looking for a creative, results-driven colleague who is committed to our mission and cares deeply about protecting our democracy to assist this project. We welcome diverse skills and experiences.

Responsibilities:

The Policy Counsel/Policy Advisor will support the Director of Democracy Reform in our efforts to envision how we rebuild American democracy and will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President for Policy, Director of Democracy Reform, and Policy Director. This position will report to the Director of Democracy Reform.

• Policy Research and Development: Support the Director of Democracy Reform to develop CREW’s long-term policy agenda to reimagine and rebuild American democracy.  Engage in legal and policy research on potential reforms and engage in analysis on how adoption of reforms will affect the American legal and political system. Support the creation of a blueprint that can be shared widely with concrete policy recommendations for how to reconceive and rebuild American democracy;
• Tracking: Implement and manage systems to track policy reform suggestions and stakeholders views on different reforms; 
• Convening: Assist the Director of Democracy Reform in planning and holding a series of convenings with democracy experts, academics, and lawmakers to gain insights into potential democracy reforms and incorporate these insights into the project’s policy recommendations. Help manage convening logistics.
• Writing and communications:  Write reports, articles, and memos about American democracy and possible avenues of reform.
• Collaboration:  Represent CREW with outside partners as part of the Project for Democratic Accountability’s work.  Coordinate with CREW’s litigation, research, and communications teams as appropriate to ensure a consistent policy message. 

Qualifications:

• J.D. (preferred).
• A minimum of 3 years policy experience in non-profit, executive branch, Capitol Hill, or comparable setting
• Familiarity with and interest in democracy reform and political corruption.
• Knowledge of or interest in domestic and international efforts to advance democracy reform and fight corruption.
• Experience working with academics and grassroots organizations and organizing convenings or similar events.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• The ability to work collaboratively.
• Outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Great writing and communication skills.
• Initiative to identify needs, take charge of tasks, and get things done in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work effectively with outside partners.
• This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining.
• The position is based in Washington, D.C. with hybrid work options potentially available.

Compensation/Benefits                                                                                                                                                                                              
The salary range for this position is $68,000-$98,000 based on experience and qualifications. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to show up as their authentic selves and perform at their best. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. Our benefits include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning benefits that includes a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits with $50/month employer contribution
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution
• One week of organization-wide paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly
• Free virtual yoga classes

How to apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include your last name and “Policy Counsel / Policy Advisor for Democracy Reform” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is looking to host a post-graduate fellow to join our policy team, funded (in whole or in-part) by their law school or a third party organization. The policy counsel fellowship position offers recent law school graduates an opportunity to work with CREW on developing our long-term policy agenda to change laws, rules, and enforcement to uphold the rule of law, protect our democratic institutions, and ensure accountability for abuses of power. Responsibilities include monitoring legislative developments, analyzing and providing technical advice on legislative proposals, drafting congressional letters and statements for the record, and preparing reports and other written products. If a fellow is interested in or is required to develop a specific project proposal as part of their funding, we welcome having those discussions. Interested applicants must be recent law school graduates or in their final year in law school, work well with others, and possess strong writing and analytical skills. The position is based in Washington, D.C. but will be hybrid with fellows splitting their time between working at home and working in the office. 

Compensation/Benefits

The salary for this position is $75,000. CREW offers a compensation and benefits program that creates a supportive, respectful, sustainable environment that allows our employees to thrive. We’re in this work for the long-haul, and that means investing in our most important asset: our staff. Our benefits include: 

• Generous paid time off
• Platinum medical insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 55% of premium covered for dependents) 
• Dental and vision insurance (99.9% of premium covered for employees and 55% of premium covered for dependents)
• 10 weeks paid family leave for non-birthing parent and 16 weeks paid family leave for birthing parent
• Family planning and gender affirming care benefits that include a $10k annual employer contribution with up to $30k over the term of your employment for employees AND their partners
• Option to enroll in FSA and dependent care FSA accounts with a $2,500 employer contribution to dependent care FSAs
• Option to enroll in commuter benefits with a $50 employer contribution
• Flexible, hybrid work environment
• Fully vested 401k with 3% employer contribution starting on day one 
• Paid holiday closures between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as major national holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Summer Fridays all year long 
• Free in-office lunches weekly (and snacks daily!)
• Free virtual yoga classes

How to Apply

Please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected]. Please include “Policy Counsel Fellow” and your last name along with the year you’d like to be considered for in the subject line (e.g. Policy Fellow 2026 Smith).The cover letter should address why you’re interested in working at CREW, any relevant experience, and specify the law school or third-party funding source that would support your fellowship with any relevant deadlines for consideration. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is seeking a Policy Counsel intern to support CREW’s democracy and rule of law work. The intern will conduct federal and state policy and related research, assist in writing CREW analyses and reports, and develop policy reform projects and legislative proposals related to current hot-button issues of great importance. The ideal candidate will show interest or experience in democracy and rule of law issues, including government ethics and accountability and federal court reform. The individual must demonstrate excellent research, analytical thinking, oral and written communication, and organizational skills. The individual should also be hard-working, enthusiastic, resourceful, and detail-oriented, and willing to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.  

This position is based in the DC metro area and will be a hybrid of remote and in-person. Therefore, the applicant must also be able to work independently and have self-motivation to complete tasks without supervision. This position is designed for second- and third-year law students. Interns will receive a stipend of $1800 a month for a full-time internship (approx. 35-40 hours/week) and a stipend of $1000 for a part-time internship (approx. 20 hours/week).

How to Apply

Please email a resume, a cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected]. Please include your last name and “Policy Counsel Intern” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. 

CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is seeking legal interns to join the legal team. Responsibilities include legal and related research, analyzing emerging issues within the government ethics space, and assisting in the preparation of complaints, reports, and other written products. The legal intern position offers law students an opportunity to participate in current hot-button issues of great public importance.

This position is based in the DC metro area and will be a hybrid of remote and in-person. Therefore, the applicant must also be able to work independently and have self-motivation to complete tasks without supervision. This position is designed for second- and third-year law students. Interns will receive a stipend of $1800 a month for a full-time internship (approx. 35-40 hours/week) and a stipend of $1000 for a part-time internship ( approx. 20 hours/week).

How to Apply

Please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected]. Please include the semester for which you are applying, “Legal Intern”, and your last name in the subject line (e.g. Summer Legal Intern Smith). No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. 

CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is seeking an undergraduate policy intern for spring 2026 to support CREW’s work to create an inclusive, ethical, and accountable government. The intern will conduct federal policy research, assist in the writing of CREW letters and reports, and participate in legislative tracking and outreach. The ideal candidate will show interest or experience in the legislative process, democracy reform, and government ethics. The individual must demonstrate excellent research, analytical thinking, oral and written communication, and organizational skills. The individual should also be hard-working, enthusiastic, resourceful, and detail-oriented. This position is based in the DC metro area and will be a hybrid of remote and in-person (as needed). Therefore, the applicant must also be able to work independently and have self-motivation to complete tasks without supervision. Interns will receive a stipend of $740 a month for part time and $1160 a month for full time.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and a cover letter that includes how you heard about the opportunity, and availability to [email protected]. Please place your last name and “Undergraduate Policy Intern” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. We are only able to respond to candidates we are contacting for an interview. CREW is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity in our workplace and in our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.