Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, National Prison Project
About The Position
The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the National Prison Project of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The Project has successfully litigated on behalf of incarcerated people across the country, and is the only organization litigating conditions of confinement cases nationwide. Our priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving health care, eliminating violence and maltreatment, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention. We also work to reverse the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world and led to extreme over-representation of people of color in the incarcerated population. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
Requirements
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Significant complex federal litigation experience
- Appropriate bar membership permitting practice where the attorney is based, or willingness to waive into relevant state or D.C. bar
- A demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
- Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment is essential
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
- Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively
- Self-motivated, diligent and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with issues related to conditions of confinement
- Previous experience working in public interest law and advocacy
Responsibilities
- Litigate in federal and state courts, including appellate courts, throughout the country
- Carry a substantial caseload in federal and state court, leading cases and working closely with other staff attorneys and local counsel
- Conduct legal research and write legal memoranda
- Analyze legislation for potential litigation
- Draft pleadings and briefs, engage in discovery and motion practice, and conduct evidentiary hearings and oral arguments
- Provide technical assistance and expert legal advice to local ACLU affiliates, cooperating attorneys, and others who seek assistance from the Project
- Conduct policy advocacy on the rights of incarcerated people and criminal justice issues
- Develop new cases, identify and work with potential plaintiffs and witnesses
- Engage in public speaking to a variety of audiences on a broad range of incarcerated people’s rights, criminal justice, and civil liberties issues
- Travel as required for litigation, case management, conferences, and client development
- Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
Benefits
- generous paid time-off policy
- comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
- 401k plan and employer match
- annual professional development funds
- internal professional development programs and workshops
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
