Legal Director (Legal Nonprofit)

Legal Director for Surveillance Technology Oversight Project

Location: Remote, strong preference for applicants based in New York City

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

About The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project

The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) is a mission-driven organization working to dismantle local governments’ systems of mass surveillance. Through a unique virtual law firm model, we partner with New York’s largest law firms to provide impact litigation for communities targeted by surveillance abuse and pursue and litigate public records requests. We drive systemic change by advocating for progressive legislation like the POST Act and by crafting policies that protect civil rights in the digital age. S.T.O.P. empowers impacted communities through privacy trainings and public education, while using media advocacy to hold institutions accountable and amplify the voices of those we serve.

Role Summary

S.T.O.P. seeks a Legal Director to lead and grow our legal strategy to dismantle harmful surveillance systems and demand transparency and accountability for government use of novel technologies. The Legal Director will develop and execute litigation and public records requests; supervise legal staff; manage relationships with outside counsel; and collaborate across the organization to ensure our legal work advances S.T.O.P.’s mission, complements our policy and research agendas, and amplifies our advocacy efforts.

This role is ideal for an experienced civil rights litigator who thinks strategically, thrives while managing multiple competing priorities, and translates complex legal ideas into clear, compelling narratives for courts, partners, policymakers, and the public.

Role Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Litigation Leadership - - - -

• Develop and execute S.T.O.P.’s litigation strategy in alignment with organizational priorities with a focus on surveillance technology and government transparency
• Lead impact litigation in state and federal courts
• Identify and assess potential cases, including rapid-response opportunities and longer-term strategic litigation
• Manage case planning, including budgets, risk assessments, and litigation timelines; ensure excellence in written and oral advocacy
• Cultivate and manage relationships with pro bono counsel, co-counsel, and allied legal organizations

Organizational Leadership and Support

• Contribute to organizational strategy as a member of the senior leadership team

Management and Team Development

• Supervise and mentor legal fellows and interns; set clear goals, provide feedback, and support professional development
• Build internal legal systems, including templates, training materials, case intake protocols, discovery workflows, and document security practices
• Support hiring and onboarding for legal team roles; foster a collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable team culture

Public Records and Transparency

• Oversee S.T.O.P.’s public records request practice, including drafting and editing requests, managing appeals, litigating denials and delays, and building scalable processes for high volume records work
• Work with research and communications teams to turn documents into impactful publications and campaigns

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

• Partner with advocacy, research, and communications teams to ensure litigation, legislation, and research support S.T.O.P.’s organizational goals
• Translate legal developments into accessible messaging for partners, press, and the public while maintaining legal and ethical boundaries

Policy Development

• Alongside the Executive Director and Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager, guide S.T.O.P.’s policy positions and priorities
• Serve as S.T.O.P.’s lead lawyer in drafting legislation and proposed amendments
• Supervise legal team’s work in submitting regulatory comments

External Engagement

• Serve as a public-facing legal spokesperson as needed, in coordination with the Executive Director and Communications Director
• Support trainings for advocates and community members; contribute to toolkits and resources that help communities resist surveillance harms
• Represent S.T.O.P. in coalitions and working groups; strengthen relationships with community partners and directly impacted communities

Qualifications

• JD and New York State bar admission
• 5+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial litigation responsibility (civil rights, constitutional, impact, and/or complex litigation)
• Demonstrated expertise in motion practice, discovery, and litigation strategy; strong legal writing skills
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior attorneys and staff; ability to manage teams and workflows
• Discretion and commitment to client- and community-centered, ethically rigorous lawyering
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyer audiences, including legislators, clients, and the public
• Strong alignment with S.T.O.P.’s mission and commitment to racial, economic, gender, immigration, and disability justice
• Experience working in coalition with allied organizations and directly impacted communities and individuals
• Experience litigating issues related to surveillance technologies and public records requests preferred