---
title: 'Legal Counsel, Government Affairs at Alliance Defending Freedom'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/legal-counsel-government-affairs-alliance-defending-freedom-lansdowne-bfrapxsc12fa'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Legal Counsel, Government Affairs at Alliance Defending Freedom

- **Company:** Alliance Defending Freedom
- **Location:** Lansdowne, VA / Washington, DC
- **Compensation:** $115k–$181k
- **Posted:** 2026-08-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/alliancedefendingfreedom/jobs/5408629008?gh_jid=5408629008

## 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.

Locations: Lansdowne, VA / Washington D.C.

## Team Overview

As the Government Affairs Legal Counsel, you are an attorney on the Government Affairs team whose role focuses on engaging with state attorneys general and the federal executive branch. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of state AG offices, past government experience, and a proven ability to build and sustain relationships with government officials and conservative organizations. This attorney will serve as both a legal resource and a relationship ambassador, working at the intersection of law and policy.

## Key Responsibilities

- Cultivate and maintain relationships with state attorneys general, their senior staff, and key officials in the federal executive branch.
- Coordinate and advance projects with state attorney general offices, including coordinating litigation opportunities and multistate amicus curiae briefs.
- Coordinate and advance projects with federal executive branch officials, including litigation and regulatory opportunities.
- Represent ADF at Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) events and conferences and similar coalition and networking forums.
- Monitor legal and policy developments at the state and federal levels relevant to ADF's Generational Wins and Strategic Plan priorities.
- Manage special projects at the direction of senior Government Affairs and U.S. Legal leadership, requiring both legal analysis and political awareness.

## 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
- 7+ years of legal experience
- 2+ years of experience working in a state attorney general's office.

## Preferred Qualification

- Judicial clerkship experience
- Demonstrated experience in multistate litigation and amicus advocacy, with a keen understanding of the roles state attorneys general and federal executive officials play in shaping constitutional and federal law.
- Experience in government service and private or nonprofit legal practice.
- Existing relationships within the state AG community and various legal networks.
- Experience navigating both legal and political dimensions of government engagement.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly for events, meetings, and coalition activities.

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—$180,700 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
- [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
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