**To apply, please submit a cover letter and a resume combined as a single PDF.**
About the ABF
The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that expands knowledge and advances justice through rigorous empirical research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions. The ABF’s primary sources of funding are an annual grant from the American Bar Endowment (ABE) and contributions by the Fellows of the ABF—a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, faculty, and scholars whose careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession. The ABF offices are located on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus.
Position Overview
As a member of a three-person Communications team, the Communications Associate is responsible for creating and disseminating content aimed at donors and prospective donors, the academic community, and the general public interested in law and its intersections with society. Reporting to the Communications Manager and working in close cooperation with members of the Communications, Development, and Research staff, the Communications Associate will help tell the story of the ABF and the relevant and timely research we are producing. They will assume writing duties for ABF products, including newsletters, program summaries, and research project descriptions. This professional will help elevate the ABF brand visibility to its stakeholders and to the public. This position will also provide editorial support through October 2025 for the book review section of the peer-reviewed journal Law & Society Review.
Key Responsibilities
Content – 80%
Law & Society Book Review Editorial Coordination (LSR) – 5%
Other Responsibilities – 15%
Other communications-related duties may be assigned to this role.
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
The ABF strives to foster a community that represents many backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about sociolegal research that advances justice, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement. Relevant experience can be formal or informal, paid or unpaid. We value diversity of thought and experience and are committed to supporting our team members’ growth and success.
Work Structure and Environment
This is a full-time (35 hours per week), non-exempt position. Close mental and visual attention are required, primarily for using a computer and/or extensive reading. ABF employees are expected to work at the ABF offices at least two days per week and to work within the state of Illinois on the other days. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a one-hour lunch period. Occasional work outside of these hours is expected in connection with ABF events (e.g., Board meetings). Occasional out-of-state travel may be required for this position.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $48,000-$53,000. Full-time administrative staff benefits include:
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé combined as a single PDF via Breezy. Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered. Our interview process begins with a 30-minute Zoom interview. If invited to the final round, candidates will submit a writing sample in advance of a 60-minute, in-person interview at our offices. Note that a pre-employment background check is required for final candidates; however, conviction of a crime does not necessarily disqualify a candidate from employment.
The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is firmly committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, including providing reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants. All decisions regarding employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age; ancestry; certain arrest or criminal history records; citizenship; color; disability; gender; gender identity; genetic information; housing status; marital status; military status; national origin; order of protection status; parental status; pregnancy; protected activity (e.g., reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment); race (including traits associated with race such as hair texture or hair styles); religion; reproductive health decisions; sex; sexual orientation; source of income; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of such violence; unfavorable discharge from the military; or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.