---
title: 'Legal Counsel, Conscience Initiatives at Alliance Defending Freedom'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-conscience-initiatives-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-rjdsm7k4zjn9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Legal Counsel, Conscience Initiatives at Alliance Defending Freedom

- **Company:** Alliance Defending Freedom
- **Location:** Lansdowne, VA / Dallas, TX / Scottsdale, AZ
- **Compensation:** $115k–$190k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/alliancedefendingfreedom/jobs/5375103008?gh_jid=5375103008

## Job description

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our [Statement of Faith](https://adflegal.org/about-us/careers/statement-of-faith/) to ensure we’re a fit for you.

## Team Overview

As Legal Counsel, you are a vital part of the U.S. Legal Team. This position will focus, in particular, on litigating on the Center for Conscience Initiatives as well as engaging in public communications and public advocacy on a wide variety of issues related to ADF litigation. This communication focus will include media interviews, speaking engagements, interview preparation of other ADF attorneys, review of ADF communication materials for accuracy and tone, and assistance in developing communication strategies related to ADF cases. The Center for Conscience Initiatives team has worked on cases such as BPJ v. West Virginia and Chiles v. Salazar.

Locations

Lansdowne, VA; Dallas, TX; Scottsdale, AZ

## Key Responsibilities

- Conduct research for new and pending cases, interview clients and witnesses
- Draft complaints, motions, briefs, and other documents for submission to state or federal courts
- Prepare and respond to written discovery; conduct and defend depositions
- Represent clients in court in litigation and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government; interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Confer with colleagues to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings.
- Cooperate with Development team, including speaking engagements and other events.
- Interact with media regarding cases and issues, including through media interviews, speaking engagements, and press conferences.
- Help to develop communication strategies related to ADF cases.
- Research and create documents to prepare ADF attorneys for media interviews.
- Interact closely with ADF communication staff while reviewing and editing ADF media documents and other ADF public-advocacy communications.
- Interact closely with ADF allies to develop and advance ADF public-advocacy goals.
- Review in-house contracts and legal issues.
- Advise allied attorneys on legal issues within areas of competence.
- Network and develop relationships with allied attorneys and/or potential allied attorneys.

## Minimum Qualifications

- J.D., active license in at least one US state bar, and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction within one year
- 1+ years of complex litigation experience

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and growth. While we do not disclose specific salary ranges, our compensation is competitive with top non-profit law firms. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

Want to Know More About ADF?

This salary range is reflective of a position based in Lansdowne, VA. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and office location.

Virginia Salary Range $115,000—$190,000 USD

## About Alliance Defending Freedom

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the world’s largest legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights through litigation, advocacy, and attorney training.
- **Entity Type**: Private (501(c)(3) religious nonprofit)
- **Headquarters**: Scottsdale, AZ, USA (with additional offices in Lansdowne, VA; Washington, D.C.; Lawrenceville, GA; and Dallas, TX)
- **Founded**: 1994
- **Founders**: A coalition of more than 30 prominent Christian leaders

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Legal advocacy and public-policy litigation
- **Target customers**: Clients (individuals, churches, ministries) defending religious liberty and free speech; allied attorneys and law students; donors (Ministry Friends); and the broader alliance of partner organizations.
- **Mission**: To keep the door open for the gospel by advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. ADF pursues strategic victories in law, policy, and the public square.

## Products & Services
- **Direct Litigation (Legal Representation)**: ADF takes cases pro bono for clients whose God-given rights are threatened. It has won nearly 80% of its cases, including 20 victories at the U.S. Supreme Court.
- **Attorney Network & Training**: Over 5,300 allied attorneys worldwide who receive training, mentorship, and resources to advance religious freedom in their own jurisdictions.
- **ADF Action & ADF Church & Ministry Alliance**: Advocacy and educational arms that equip pastors, churches, and ministry leaders in defending their constitutional rights.
- **Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index**: A tool that rates Fortune 100 companies on their respect for free speech and religious liberty, used to encourage corporate policy change.
- **Blackstone Legal Fellowship**: A high‑profile summer legal training program for law students, preparing the next generation of constitutional lawyers.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit); annual revenue not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Total network of 5,300+ allied attorneys; 20 U.S. Supreme Court victories; ~80% overall win rate.
- **Notable Donors/Partners**: Fully funded by private donations (Ministry Friends); no government funds. Partners include a wide alliance of Christian ministries, churches, and individual supporters. ADF does not charge clients for representation.
- **Growth Signals**: Five U.S. offices; continued expansion of the attorney network; recent Supreme Court wins (e.g., *303 Creative v. Elenis*); increasing visibility through the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Scale**: World’s largest legal organization focused on religious liberty and family rights.
- **Track Record**: Unmatched Supreme Court success (20 wins) and an ~80% overall case‑win rate.
- **Attorney Network**: A ready‑made force of over 5,300 allied lawyers who can be deployed nationwide.
- **Strategic Patience**: The “generational wins” approach seeks lasting legal and cultural change rather than short‑term victories.
- **Funding Model**: No government or corporate strings attached – fully donor‑supported, enabling principled litigation.

## Strategic Focus
- **Five Generational Wins**: Protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.
- **Policy & Corporate Engagement**: Expanding influence beyond the courtroom via the Viewpoint Diversity Score and corporate‑affairs initiatives.
- **Training the Next Generation**: Scaling the Blackstone Legal Fellowship and other attorney‑training programs to ensure long‑term bench strength.
- **Global Reach**: Expanding the alliance model internationally through allied attorneys and partnerships.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Mission**: A faith‑based, collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to grow spiritually and professionally. Daily chapel, prayer gatherings, and a full‑time chaplain are central to the workday.
- **Work‑Life Balance**: Generous paid time off (PTO), 12 paid holidays, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, and free personal finance advisory services.
- **Compensation & Benefits**: 100% employer‑paid medical and dental premiums for employee and family; health savings account with employer contribution; 401(k) with 4% match; life, AD&D, disability, and long‑term care insurance; access to a vast library of online professional education courses.
- **Office & Flexibility**: Five U.S. offices (Scottsdale, AZ; Lansdowne, VA; Washington, D.C.; Lawrenceville, GA; Dallas, TX). Roles are generally office‑based; the interview process includes an in‑person final round.
- **Interview Process**: Typically 3–4 weeks, involving a recruiter screen, a deeper discussion with the hiring manager, and a final day of multiple in‑person interviews.
- **Employment Requirement**: All team members must share and uphold ADF’s Statement of Faith, grounded in the Apostles’ Creed and historic Christian tradition.

## Sources
1. [ADF Careers Page](https://adflegal.org/careers/)
2. [ADF About Us](https://adflegal.org/about/)
3. [ADF Homepage](https://adflegal.org/)
4. [ADF Career Opportunities](https://adflegal.org/careers/career-opportunities/)
5. [ADF LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-defending-freedom)

## Other roles at Alliance Defending Freedom

- [Audience Growth Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/audience-growth-program-manager-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-0zxy7detwv1j) — Lansdowne, VA / Scottsdale, AZ / Dallas, TX
- [HR Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/hr-coordinator-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-38ja3y4pcd5e) — Lansdowne, VA
- [Legal Counsel, Public Policy](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-public-policy-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-943f1afq683j) — Lansdowne, VA / Dallas, TX
- [Senior Counsel, Federal Public Policy](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-counsel-federal-public-policy-alliance-defending-freedom-washington-mv0bgadzd0ec) — Washington, DC
- [Sr. Technical Support Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-technical-support-specialist-alliance-defending-freedom-washington-6xfhrresdsxj) — Washington, DC
- [Legal Administrative Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-administrative-assistant-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-0es4ecvje6pn) — Lansdowne, VA
- [Legal Counsel, Government Affairs](https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-government-affairs-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-bfrapxsc12fa) — Lansdowne, VA / Washington, DC
- [Audio Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/audio-engineer-alliance-defending-freedom-scottsdale-rv3cec3z3h9x) — Scottsdale, AZ
- [Sr. Director, Talent Development](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-director-talent-development-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-p765p00s7f2r) — Lansdowne, VA / Scottsdale, AZ
- [Sr. Counsel, Director of Center for Free Speech](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-counsel-director-of-center-for-free-speech-alliance-defending-freedom-hp0v04gsgs95) — Lansdowne, VA