The Legal Support volunteer helps the Labor Party navigate the complex legal landscape of political organizing, providing guidance on entity formation, regulatory compliance, campaign finance law, and operational requirements. You'll ensure chapters meet their legal obligations while maximizing their organizing capacity, working with leadership to establish proper structures, maintain compliance, and address legal questions as they arise.
This role combines legal expertise with political understanding, working closely with chapter founders, treasurers, and leadership teams to build legally sound infrastructure that protects the organization and enables effective advocacy for economic justice.
Responsibilities
- Advise on legal entity formation including 501(c)(4), 527, and nonprofit corporation structures
- Guide chapters through incorporation processes including Articles of Incorporation and bylaws adoption
- Provide compliance guidance on federal requirements (IRS Forms 8976, 8871, 8872, 990)
- Advise on state registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements
- Support campaign finance compliance including contribution reporting and expenditure disclosure
- Review and draft governance documents including bylaws, policies, and procedures
- Advise on employment law matters for chapters hiring staff
- Guide financial controls including dual authorization, record retention, and audit procedures
- Provide guidance on political activity regulations and coordination restrictions
- Advise on intellectual property protection for Labor Party branding and materials
- Support contract review for venues, vendors, and partnership agreements
- Guide dispute resolution processes and grievance procedures
- Advise on local compliance including permits for events, rallies, and demonstrations
- Develop compliance calendars and deadline tracking systems for chapters
- Conduct legal research on emerging issues and regulatory changes
- Create plain-language legal guidance materials for non-lawyer organizers
- Connect chapters with pro bono legal resources when specialized counsel is needed
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree or law school student with relevant coursework
- Knowledge of nonprofit law, campaign finance law, or election law (experience preferred but not required)
- Familiarity with 501(c)(4), 527, and political committee regulations
- Understanding of IRS compliance requirements for tax-exempt organizations
- Ability to translate complex legal requirements into accessible guidance
- Strong research skills for navigating federal, state, and local regulations
- Attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Understanding that legal compliance enables rather than restricts organizing
- Ability to balance legal caution with practical organizing needs
- Commitment to the Labor Party's mission of economic justice and workers' rights
- Bonus: Bar admission in relevant state; experience with FEC or state election board filings; nonprofit governance experience
Support Provided
Access to comprehensive legal compliance guides, template documents (Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, policies), compliance calendars, and connection to a network of legal volunteers supporting Labor Party chapters nationwide.
Impact
As Legal Support, you'll build the legal foundation that protects the Labor Party and enables fearless organizing for workers' rights. By ensuring chapters operate in compliance with complex regulations while maintaining their organizing capacity, you'll help transform legal requirements from obstacles into infrastructure—creating sustainable organizations that can fight for economic justice without legal vulnerability or unnecessary risk.