Staff Attorney – Anti-Corruption, Edley Center Law & Democracy

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Mac Arthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond.

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89296

Main Campus-Berkeley

Full Time

The Edley Center’s mission is to defend and strengthen democratic institutions in the United States through actionable research and public leadership.

The Staff Attorney - Anti-Corruption supports substantive legal work for the Edley Center on Law & Democracy. This position exists because the Center engages in a wide range of legal research and advocacy that requires dedicated attorneys with civil litigation and policy experience. The Staff Attorney may work on state and local policy development in California as well as other states, amicus briefs, impact litigation, delivering on MOUs with government agencies, providing legal guidance to community partners and coalitions, and more.

The First Review Date for this job is October 20, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

• Supports Center cases and projects at the direction of the Executive Director.
• Conducts legal research and writing on cases and projects that fall within the scope and focus of the Edley Center, routinely focusing on state authorities and countering public corruption.
• Drafts and files amicus briefs, motions and other materials on a wide range of topics.

• Mentors and works with student intern researchers to provide feedback and manage projects.
• Consults with coalition partners to meet litigation filing deadlines and policy deadlines.
• Meets and consults with potential clients to file amicus briefs, offer advice memos, or training materials.
• Liaises with Center partners and/or other stakeholders as necessary in order to gather information necessary to move litigation or policy projects forward.

• Assists with case investigation and development:
  • Reviews and analyzes pending and enacted legislation.
  • Assists in determining scope, timing and direction of the investigations.
  • Reviews case records and filings, and analyze options.
• Makes court appearances as needed.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

• Expertise in legal research, analysis, and advocacy strategy development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and influence, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills.
• Experience practicing civil law (litigation and or legislation/policy).
• Ability to multi-task with demanding time frames.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop creative and strategic solutions.
• Proven abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.
• Thorough understanding of complex legal issues.
• In-depth research skills to draft accurate, complete and persuasive legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Computer and technical skills,…