Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, State Supreme Court Initiative

ACLU - National Office•Washington, DC

68d•$92,374 - $210,677•Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time, term-limited, position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the State Supreme Court Initiative (SSCI) of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C., 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. This is a two-year, term-limited position. Launched in 2023, the SSCI is dedicated to ensuring that: (1) people around the country have the broadest possible protections for their civil liberties under state constitutions, (2) state courts play an independent and robust role in developing and protecting state and federal rights, and (3) the public understands the importance of state courts and has meaningful access to them. In roughly two and a half years, the SSCI has built a broad and substantial docket, covering a wide range of states and issues. To date, we have represented a party or participated as amicus in more than 55 cases spanning 30 state high courts, including on issues of access to justice, equal protection, free speech, voting rights, criminal justice, and reproductive rights. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Requirements

J.D. degree
Appropriate bar membership permitting practice in the District of Columbia or New York, depending on where the attorney is based
Exceptional writing, analytic, research, and speaking skills are required
A demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team
Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment
Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure
Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated litigation experience, including clerkships
Experience with both appellate and trial practice, with deep experience in appellate-brief writing on novel legal issues
Familiarity with state court litigation and/or state constitutional law

Responsibilities

Participate in litigation on a wide range of issues in state appellate and trial courts, including by drafting briefs and other legal memoranda, researching and drafting pleadings, conducting oral arguments and evidentiary hearings, and engaging in motion practice and occasional discovery.
Identify trends in state constitutional litigation and develop litigation strategies to advance the mission of the ACLU, and the SSCI specifically
Identify and track cases percolating in state courts
Analyze legislation for potential litigation in state court on issues that the SSCI prioritizes
Work with and advise ACLU state affiliates and national ACLU Projects on matters involving state constitutional law and state court litigation
Support development of state civil liberties and civil rights doctrine across the country, including through trainings and the development of model pleadings
Assist with training and mentorship of legal fellows, interns, and paralegal
Engage in public speaking and the articulation of ACLU views to a variety of audiences
Collaborate with staff across the organization, including in the subject-matter Projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, Communications, Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives, the National Political Advocacy Department, and state affiliates
Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and case or client development
Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

Benefits

Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

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