Summary:

The ASPCA’s Legal Department helps the ASPCA to achieve its organizational goals of preventing animal cruelty and ending animal homelessness while assessing and managing risk.  The Legal Department’s role is primarily a supportive one, enabling departments to more efficiently and effectively conduct their core functions by, among other things: (i) providing strategic analysis and advice on emergent legal issues; (ii) planning for recurring areas of legal risk and potential liability; (iii) providing strategic planning assistance to avoid unnecessary risk; and (iv) advising staff at all levels on steps that should be taken to ensure compliance with existing laws, regulations and guidelines. The Legal Department of the ASPCA serves as in-house counsel for the organization, dealing with a variety of areas of law (including intellectual property, contracts, negligence, trusts and estates, employment law, tax, and the enforcement of animal cruelty laws). We provide legal advice to every department within the ASPCA.

The application for this position will close at 12:00pm ET on Friday, February 14, 2025. Candidates that do not submit applications before this deadline will not be considered.  

Responsibilities:

Externship responsibilities may include, but shall not be limited to: 

Researching legal issues and drafting memos related to various corporate issues, helping to provide legal counsel to the business managers on intellectual property and general business issues, and providing general legal support within the ASPCA where needed.  Reviewing and drafting various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including confidentiality agreements, content licenses, consulting contracts, etc.), and providing advice to internal clients in order to further related negotiations with third parties. Conducting background research to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws and internal policies, including performing research and analysis on diverse substantive and procedural issues, such as a wide variety of issues relevant to ASPCA initiatives and programs. Creating templates, resources, and other educational materials. 

 

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals 

Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes 

Believes in Team – that we are stronger together 

Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible 

Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals 

Compensation Information:

The applicable target hiring range for this remote role is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. We have organized the U.S. varying costs of labor index into three geographic zones. As a point of reference, below, we have included our ASPCA locations by geographic zone to illustrate what the hiring range would be in each of the following areas.

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

Zone 1 (For example, Asheville, NC; Champaign, IL; Columbus, OH; Gainesville, FL; Miami, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; Overland, KS; Union, MO; Weaverville, NC): $18.00 per hourZone 2 (For example Los Angeles, CA): $19.00 per hourZone 3 (For example, Washington D.C, New York, NY): $20.00 per hour

For remote positions, you can view which zone applies to you based on your location. For questions regarding other locations not found on the list, please send an email to Careers@aspca.org for more information.    

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Externship Structure:        

This is a paid externship and is structured as a learning or work study program at the undergraduate or graduate school level. Students will be mentored by professional attorneys. 

The duration of each externship position is flexible and will be determined on case-by-case basis. Generally, the position is aligned with school semesters and is part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer.  

 

Eligibility:                        

Students currently enrolled in law schoolCandidates will be supervised by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in NY, DC, NJ, WA, GA, NC or MA and candidates must be able to be supervised by an attorney licensed in those states. Candidates attending schools that require supervision in a state other than those listed are not eligible. 

To apply: 
Submit cover letter focused on why this specific placement is a good fit, resume and short writing sample (a memo is better than a brief for this purpose).  

If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please click this link and join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications:

The ASPCA is looking for a talented writer, with a wide variety of interests, and a commitment to the mission of the ASPCA. Knowledge of substantive issues related to laws pertaining to animals is welcome, but not required. Experience working in a legal environment, in an animal hospital or shelter, or with animal rescue groups, would be a plus.

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors (Required)

  

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.  A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.  Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status,  or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.

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