S.T.O.P. Hiring Policies:

Beginning on September 1st, 2021, S.T.O.P. implemented a lockstep pay scale system to promote transparency and equity. We believe this step and elimination of individually-negotiated salaries is the most effective way to prevent discriminatory pay gaps within an organization. Under this system, each staff member will receive the same salary for their level of seniority within the organization, irrespective of prior pay.

  • You can access our current pay scale here.

  • Access our community handbook and full list of human resources policies here.

Legal Director

Location: Remote, strong preference for applicants based in New York City

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

About The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project

The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) is a mission-driven organization working

to dismantle local governments’ systems of mass surveillance. Through a unique virtual law firm

model, we partner with New York’s largest law firms to provide impact litigation for communities

targeted by surveillance abuse and pursue and litigate public records requests. We drive systemic

change by advocating for progressive legislation like the POST Act and by crafting policies that

protect civil rights in the digital age. S.T.O.P. empowers impacted communities through privacy

trainings and public education, while using media advocacy to hold institutions accountable and

amplify the voices of those we serve.

Role Summary

S.T.O.P. seeks a Legal Director to lead and grow our legal strategy to dismantle harmful

surveillance systems and demand transparency and accountability for government use of novel

technologies. The Legal Director will develop and execute litigation and public records requests;

supervise legal staff; manage relationships with outside counsel; and collaborate across the

organization to ensure our legal work advances S.T.O.P.’s mission, complements our policy and

research agendas, and amplifies our advocacy efforts.

This role is ideal for an experienced civil rights litigator who thinks strategically, thrives while

managing multiple competing priorities, and translates complex legal ideas into clear, compelling

narratives for courts, partners, policymakers, and the public.

Role Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Litigation Leadership

  • Develop and execute S.T.O.P.’s litigation strategy in alignment with organizational priorities

with a focus on surveillance technology and government transparency

  • Lead impact litigation in state and federal courts

  • Identify and assess potential cases, including rapid-response opportunities and longer-term

strategic litigation

  • Manage case planning, including budgets, risk assessments, and litigation timelines; ensure

excellence in written and oral advocacy

  • Cultivate and manage relationships with pro bono counsel, co-counsel, and allied legal

organizations

Organizational Leadership and Support

  • Contribute to organizational strategy as a member of the senior leadership team

Management and Team Development

  • Supervise and mentor legal fellows and interns; set clear goals, provide feedback, and

support professional development

  • Build internal legal systems, including templates, training materials, case intake protocols,

discovery workflows, and document security practices

  • Support hiring and onboarding for legal team roles; foster a collaborative, inclusive, and

sustainable team culture

Public Records and Transparency

  • Oversee S.T.O.P.’s public records request practice, including drafting and editing requests,

managing appeals, litigating denials and delays, and building scalable processes for highvolume records work

  • Work with research and communications teams to turn documents into impactful

publications and campaigns

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

  • Partner with advocacy, research, and communications teams to ensure litigation, legislation,

and research support S.T.O.P.’s organizational goals

  • Translate legal developments into accessible messaging for partners, press, and the public

while maintaining legal and ethical boundaries

Policy Development

  • Alongside the Executive Director and Advocacy & Community Engagement Manager, guide

S.T.O.P.’s policy positions and priorities

  • Serve as S.T.O.P.’s lead lawyer in drafting legislation and proposed amendments

  • Supervise legal team’s work in submitting regulatory comments

External Engagement

  • Serve as a public-facing legal spokesperson as needed, in coordination with the Executive

Director and Communications Director

  • Support trainings for advocates and community members; contribute to toolkits and

resources that help communities resist surveillance harms

  • Represent S.T.O.P. in coalitions and working groups; strengthen relationships with

community partners and directly impacted communities

Qualifications

  • JD and New York State bar admission

  • 5+ years of relevant legal experience, including substantial litigation responsibility (civil

rights, constitutional, impact, and/or complex litigation)

  • Demonstrated expertise in motion practice, discovery, and litigation strategy; strong legal

writing skills

  • Experience supervising or mentoring junior attorneys and staff; ability to manage teams and

workflows

  • Discretion and commitment to client- and community-centered, ethically rigorous lawyering

  • Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyer audiences, including

legislators, clients, and the public

  • Strong alignment with S.T.O.P.’s mission and commitment to racial, economic, gender,

immigration, and disability justice

  • Experience working in coalition with allied organizations and directly impacted communities

and individuals

  • Experience litigating issues related to surveillance technologies and public records requests

preferred

Compensation and Benefits

S.T.O.P. offers a lockstep pay scale system to promote transparency and equity. A first-year legal

director will earn an annual salary of $98,148 in 2026, with annual COLA adjustments and seniority

raises at the anniversary of employment. Access our community handbook and full list of human

resources policies here. S.T.O.P. provides a generous benefits package, including an array of

employer-funded medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with no employee premium

contribution, as well as generous paid time off policies as outlined in the community handbook.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a writing sample of independent legal work (10 pages

maximum, excerpted is fine) to Jobs@stopspying.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling

basis with an anticipated start date in late January or early February 2026.

Full job description here.