Senior Staff Attorney

American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Staff Attorney is an experienced constitutional litigator who develops and leads impact litigation in state and federal court as part of the ACLU of Indiana’s integrated advocacy team. Under the direction of the Legal Director, the attorney serves as lead or co-counsel on complex civil rights and civil liberties cases, contributes constitutional expertise to policy, communications, and community-based advocacy, and mentors junior legal staff. The role calls for a seasoned practitioner able to handle high-stakes cases with significant independence while partnering closely with colleagues across disciplines and with the communities the organization serves. The ACLU of Indiana uses an integrated advocacy model in which legal, policy, communications, organizing, and community engagement staff set priorities and work together. Litigation is used alongside legislative and administrative advocacy, public education, coalition-building, and community partnership to address systemic inequities, uphold constitutional protections, and advance structural change. The position is based in Indianapolis and is hybrid, with regular in-office presence expected. Occasional evening and weekend work and travel across Indiana are expected. This is a full-time, exempt position at Grade 18, with a salary range of $99,200–$130,000 depending on experience. Relocation assistance is available. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application and interview process. Applicants must submit a résumé, cover letter, writing sample of no more than ten pages with a note describing others’ involvement, and three professional references with a brief description of each relationship. At least one reference must be a practicing attorney familiar with the applicant’s litigation work. Applications missing any materials will not be considered. The position remains open until filled; applications received on or before December 1, 2026, will receive priority consideration.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited law school.
Admission to the Indiana bar or ability to obtain Indiana admission promptly.
Seven or more years of litigation experience, including substantial experience in constitutional and civil rights litigation in federal court.
Demonstrated experience as lead counsel on complex matters, including motion practice, injunctive relief, discovery, and trial or evidentiary hearings.
Deep knowledge of federal constitutional law and civil rights statutes, including 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related doctrines of immunity, standing, and remedies.
Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, with a record of persuasive briefing and courtroom advocacy.
Commitment to civil rights and civil liberties and to an advocacy model combining litigation with policy and community engagement.
Understanding of how race, poverty, and other systems of inequity shape the legal issues addressed, and commitment to deepening that understanding.
Ability to manage a demanding docket independently, exercise sound strategic judgment, and collaborate across disciplines with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Nice To Haves

Appellate experience in a federal court of appeals or a state supreme court.
Experience with class actions or other systemic litigation.
Substantive experience in one or more priority areas, such as the First Amendment, voting rights, reproductive freedom, the criminal legal system, immigrants’ rights, LGBTQ rights, or disability rights.
Fluency in Spanish or another language spoken in Indiana communities.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or developing attorneys or legal staff.
Experience working with community organizations or in movement lawyering.
Familiarity with Indiana courts, law, or communities.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead and/or co-counsel on constitutional and civil rights litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including case development, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, injunctive proceedings, trial, and appeal.
Identify emerging constitutional issues and develop affirmative litigation proposals consistent with organizational priorities.
Manage cooperating counsel relationships and co-counsel arrangements with private firms, national ACLU projects, and partner organizations.
Participate in the integrated intake process to assess requests for legal assistance against shared priorities and community impact, and determine the appropriate response, such as litigation, policy or legislative advocacy, organizing support, public education, or referral.
Collaborate across departments to set goals and implement campaign strategies using litigation alongside other advocacy tools.
Provide constitutional and legal analysis supporting legislative and administrative advocacy, including testimony, bill analysis, and comments on proposed rules.
Represent the organization’s legal work through media engagement, community presentations, know-your-rights education, and litigation-related partnerships.
Work with communications staff to develop public-facing materials, including press statements, op-eds, and digital content.
Mentor Staff Attorneys and share litigation expertise across the legal team.
Participate in hiring teams for legal and non-legal staff as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the organization’s mission.