Staff Attorney

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 RP (005257)

UCPath Position ID: 41227888

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

3/6/2026 6:20:35 PM

Date Last Edited:

3/6/2026 6:20:31 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1140O

Organization:

SCHOOL OF LAW

Division Code:

1141D

Division:

LAW DIV

Department:

025000 - LAW

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41227888

Position Description ID

252628

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 RP (005257)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RP: RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE PR

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40065232

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-LAW

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40040696

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general guidance of the Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project, the Staff Attorney will set individual goals and deadlines for filing briefs and producing research and reports in conjunction with volunteer attorneys and students relevant to free and fair elections. Successful candidates must possess the ability to think creatively, demonstrate exceptional analytical and writing ability, be self-motivated, and be driven to develop new approaches to each project/study.

The Safeguarding Democracy Project seeks a staff attorney to engage in creative, high-quality research, analysis, and writing related to election law and protecting free and fair elections. The Staff Attorney will further SDP's mission by conducting legal and multi-disciplinary research on a range of election law and related issues, including state and federal constitutional protections for free and fair elections, the effects of state laws and policies on protecting peaceful transitions of power, and other topics. The Staff Attorney will work with SDP's Director and will lead volunteer law students and outside attorneys in research and writing amicus briefs; assist in producing academic research and writing helpful to decisionmakers and policymakers concerned about fair election practices; and contribute to reports, academic articles, public comments, and other SDP work. This will be a one-year position with the possibility of extension, and it will be based in Los Angeles, California. The candidate will be expected to attend and participate in SDP events on campus and generally be on campus 2-3 days per week. Additional work may be done remotely as agreed to by the SDP Director.

The Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law promotes research, collaboration, and advocacy aimed at ensuring continued free and fair elections in the United States. The Project aims to protect the cornerstone of American democracy: that all eligible voters, and only eligible voters, will be able to freely cast a vote that will be fairly and accurately counted, with the winner of the election peacefully taking office and accepted as legitimate. It also focuses on bolstering the rule of law, the right to vote, and democratic institutions and norms. The Safeguarding Democracy Project is built upon the premise that tackling issues of U.S. election integrity must be collaborative: across ideologies, across scholarly disciplines, and as a bridge between theory and practice.. For more information, please visit our website at https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/safeguarding-democracy-project.

Research & Research Management

1) Conduct legal and multi-disciplinary research. (E) 2) Co-author legal scholarship, articles, papers, and comments based on SDP research. (E) 3) Contribute to development of ideas for legal and scholarly research. (E) 4) Other duties as assigned. (E)

20%

Legal Scholarship & Drafting

1) Participate as co-counsel on SDP's litigation in significant court cases, working with the SDP Director, volunteer students and outside volunteer attorneys. (E) 2) Draft model legislation and prepare testimony on federal, state, and local legislation.

(E) 3) Other duties as assigned. (E)

60%

Program Representation

1) Assist in designing, implementing, and moderating SDP events and webinars. (E) 2) Communicate with the media and the public on election integrity, including by contributing to the SDPs social media content and representing SDP at public speaking engagements. (E) 3) Other duties as assigned. (E)

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

Attorney admitted to practice law in California and in various federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.

Preferred

Demonstrated ability to perform the highest-caliber legal research and writing.

Required

Demonstrated experience with or substantive knowledge of election law.

Preferred

Excellent skill in speaking effectively and persuasively to individuals and groups from various social contexts, across ideologies, across academic disciplines, and between academics and practitioners.

Required

Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively under conditions of heavy workload, frequent interruptions, distractions, and deadlines.

Required

Knowledge of work on election law and election integrity nationwide.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to fulfill job responsibilities.

Attorney admitted to practice law in California and in various federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court

Preferred

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

385 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.