Apply to Be the Library Futures Staff Attorney

Apply here

Description

Library Futures and the Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy at NYU Law seek a full-time leader for a new project exploring how libraries contract with content vendors and publishers. The project includes direct representation of library clients. This position is most appropriate for lawyers with 1-5 years of experience that includes transactional work, and a passion for the public interest, open access to information, and library rights.

Library Futures is the vanguard nonprofit organization uncovering and confronting the fundamental policy issues that threaten libraries in the digital age. We believe librarians, policymakers, and community leaders deserve a new approach to digital rights so they can protect, advocate for, and advance a fair digital future for libraries and the communities they serve. Library Futures meets this need with fresh research, visionary policy and advocacy initiatives, and engaging education programs.

The Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy provides a unique environment where scholars can examine the key drivers of innovation as well as the law and policy that best support innovation.

Candidates must be able to work both independently and as part of a team and must possess strong written and oral communication skills. Applicants should also have a commitment to working collaboratively with staff and volunteers, as well as a commitment to community-centered lawyering and practice.

The annual base salary for this position is $100,000

This position comes with a competitive salary and a generous array of benefits, which include medical, dental, and vision. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: http://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/Professional-Research-Staff-Code-103.html.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have:

Experience and interest in the law and policy of libraries; technology, and information access, broadly defined;
Experience representing clients in contract negotiations;
Experience with administrative law;
Strong negotiation skills;
Background in community organizing;
Excellent communication, writing, and drafting skills;
Willingness to travel up to 10% (negotiable) within the United States;
Within three hours of Eastern Time Zone;
Minimum of 1 year of post-J.D. legal experience;
Membership in the New York Bar (or be qualified to waive in);
Familiarity with libraries and their rights under the law;
Knowledge of and interest in the publishing industry; and
A commitment to equity, community, and justice

The role

This newly created position will provide legal support to clients as part of contract negotiations with vendors and publishers. This role will be an integral part of the Library Futures community and small team, and requires flexibility, thoughtfulness, discretion, and very strong negotiating skills. This means:

Conducting research on the state of contracts in libraries and other public information settings;
Risk analysis on contracts;
Supporting library partners and clients through contract negotiations;
Drafting model contract language;
Working with the Library Futures team on community building and nurturing;
Maintaining client relationships;
Negotiating contracts;
Building a database and research module on negotiation;
Training librarians as advocates

To apply, please fill out this form.

Please do not forget to email your resume to info@libraryfutures.net with the subject line (Your Name, Staff Attorney Resume) and no text in the body after you apply using the form above! Candidates who do not complete both steps will not be considered.

We will begin reviewing applications immediately, and priority will be given to applications received before July 31, and the projected start date for this position is September 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Sustainability Statement

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability

Application Form

Questions? Email info@libraryfutures.net