Managing Legal Director

Aclu Of San Diego & Imperial Counties • San Diego, CA

322d • $120,000 - $155,000

About The Position

The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) seeks a Managing Legal Director. The ACLUF-SDIC is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) civil liberties and civil rights organization working to advance equality, freedom and justice through public education and litigation. Together with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that does our legislative lobbying work, we are a prominent force for the protection and expansion of fundamental rights in California's second-most populous county (San Diego) and the county with the highest per capita Latina/o population (Imperial). While there are more than 50 ACLU affiliates nationwide, our work covers the length of California's border with Mexico. We work collaboratively with the National ACLU and with ACLU affiliates in California, on the U.S-Mexico border and throughout the United States. In addition, we value partnerships and collaboration with community organizations and groups across the state and throughout the binational border region. The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (known collectively as ACLU-SDIC) have a proven track record of success combining impact litigation, policy advocacy, legislation, research and analysis, public education, strategic communications and community organizing to achieve meaningful social change. We are dedicated to confronting issues that threaten our most cherished civil rights and freedoms and defending the progress the ACLU has made over its 100-year history.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties and client-centered advocacy consistent with the mission and goals of ACLU-SDIC.
• Minimum of 10 years' legal experience, including substantial state and/or federal litigation at trial court and appellate levels, including class actions.
• Strong background in constitutional law and civil rights.
• Management experience that includes recruiting, training, managing, and retaining a diverse, high-performing litigation team.
• Admission to the California bar (or licensed in another state and qualified to apply for admission in California within 6 months).

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated record of moving legal cases forward from investigation and development to completion.
• Excellent communication, media, presentation, written, and analytical skills.
• Experience working with volunteers and non-profit organizations.
• Experience representing and working with activists and grassroots and other non-governmental organizations.
• Excellent organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving and litigation.
• Goal-oriented and project-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization.
• Values and has experience working collaboratively and respectfully with teams and coworkers.
• Excellent at collaborating across disciplines and being open to innovation and cross-departmental planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the ACLU-SDIC's litigation program, including working in concert with the Advocacy and Legal Director and issue teams in determining when litigation is appropriate to support desired legislative and policy outcomes and for addressing community concerns.
• Work with litigation staff to develop and pursue litigation strategies.
• Oversee the legal intake process and implement efficient systems and processes.
• Oversee the investigation and development of cases before commencing litigation.
• Build litigation teams with ACLU-SDIC lawyers, cooperating counsel, and nonprofit partners.
• Prepare regular updates, including written as well as oral presentations, about our litigation for the public and across the organization.
• Apply an integrated advocacy approach by collaborating and leveraging internal functions with the Communications, Organizing, and Philanthropy departments.
• Serve as a resource on legal matters pertaining to civil rights and civil liberties for staff, partners, and other ACLU-SDIC constituents.
• Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation.
• Supervise litigation by staff attorneys and cooperating attorneys as they engage in complex litigation in Federal and State court.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with volunteer attorneys and the legal community in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• Provide direct supervision and support for litigation staff, including conducting staff evaluations.
• Oversee recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of new staff members in litigation department.
• Engage in public speaking, articulating the ACLU's views to the media and the public.
• Develop and manage the Litigation Department budget.

Benefits

• Four weeks paid vacation.
• 17 office holidays.
• 100% medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members and their families.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Gender affirming care.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• EAP support.
• 401(k) plan with employer match and immediate vesting of the employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree