Apply by November 8
Job title: Appellate Attorney
Reports to: Chief Legal Officer
Location: Remote within the U.S.
Job Purpose and Location
NACC’s mission is to advance children’s and parents’ rights by supporting a diverse, inclusive community of child welfare lawyers to provide zealous legal representation and by advocating for equitable, anti-racist solutions co-designed by people with lived experience. We believe the child welfare system works best when every child, parent, and family is well-supported in their community and has equitable access to justice through culturally responsive, client-centered legal representation.
NACC’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan affirms our organizational commitment to excellence in legal advocacy, equity in practice, and sustainability for long-term impact. NACC’s core values guide this work: Community, Equity and Inclusion, Excellence, Humility and Accountability, and Integrity.
The Appellate Attorney is a full-time member of our legal department who will help strategically advance NACC’s Policy Framework through amicus briefs, trainings, and dedicated technical assistance to child welfare practitioners nationwide. This position is currently funded for three years; NACC will pursue continued funding for 2029 and beyond.
Duties and Responsibilities
Educate and Convene the Field
- Conduct 50 state research to develop a targeted national child welfare appellate strategy.
- Produce and maintain a comprehensive suite of appellate resources for practitioner use, such as sample briefs, issue-spotters and an amicus filing guide;
- Host monthly virtual meetings for child welfare appellate practitioners to learn and exchange information;
- Provide virtual and in-person trainings on appellate practice;
- Draft quarterly case digests for NACC’s quarterly publication, The Guardian.
- Uplift appellate advocacy and victories through articles and strategic communications opportunities (ex. newsletter, social media);
- Convene child welfare appellate practitioners at NACC’s 50th Child Welfare Law Conference in Denver, Colorado in August 2027.
Lead NACC’s Amicus Curiae Work
- Lead NACC’s Amicus program by managing the request and approval process for briefs in both state and federal courts, and communicating with relevant stakeholders on behalf of NACC;
- Draft, edit and file amicus briefs led by NACC, partner organizations, or pro bono counsel;
- Collaborate with pro bono partners and allied organizations to ensure accurate, persuasive, and timely filings that align with NACC’s Policy Framework.
Provide Technical Assistance to Child Welfare Practitioners
- Provide technical assistance to NACC members on preserving and advancing appellate arguments. This may include virtual meetings, sharing legal resources, providing feedback on draft pleadings, offering virtual moots for oral arguments, and more.
Other
- Support NACC’s in-person events assigned;
- Attend internal and external meetings as assigned.
Travel
- This position is estimated to include 4 trips per year (2-4 nights each), including NACC’s National Conference. Travel expenses are provided by NACC.
Experience and Qualifications
Required:
- Juris Doctor degree;
- Active bar license;
- At least 5 years of child welfare law experience, of which at least 2 years includes primarily appellate child welfare experience;
- Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially providing feedback and coaching to other attorneys.
- Demonstrated cultural humility, including a strong commitment to justice and equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Preferred:
- Experience as a judicial clerk, preferably for a federal or state appellate court.
- Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS) Certification
- Candidates who bring lived experience with systems affecting children and families, or who come from communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $95,000. NACC offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement contribution
- Life insurance
- 20 days of paid time off (PTO), increasing over time
- 17 holidays and office closure days
- Annual bar fees
- Office equipment and supplies for remote staff, as needed.
To Apply
Apply via JustWorks portal by November 8, 2026: https://payroll.justworks.com/jobs/b16162b9-8aa9-4c17-a2d3-8518ece62b51-job
All applications must include (1) Resume, (2) Cover Letter and (3) Appellate-level Writing Sample.