Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, National Prison Project
About The Position
The ACLU is hiring a Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel for its National Prison Project in the ACLU National office. The role may be based in Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY, and follows a hybrid schedule requiring two days per week or eight days per month in the office. This is a two-year term-limited position represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). 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. Its work includes litigation nationwide and priorities such as reducing overcrowding, improving health care, eliminating violence and maltreatment, and increasing oversight and accountability. The Project also works to reverse policies that contribute to high incarceration rates and the over-representation of people of color in the incarcerated population. Reporting to the Deputy Project Director for Immigration Detention, the attorney will contribute to the Project’s litigation and non-litigation work, with a special focus on immigration detention. The role includes litigation in federal and state courts, legal research and writing, policy advocacy, case development, technical assistance, public speaking, and travel as required.
Requirements
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Demonstrated litigation experience.
- Admission to practice, based on office assignment.
- Ability to work independently and within a team, and to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
- Excellent legal research and writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work.
- Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively.
- Self-motivation, diligence, and ability to meet strict deadlines under pressure.
- Commitment to advancing the mission of the ACLU.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, including respect for and valuing of multiple perspectives.
- Commitment to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with issues related to conditions of confinement.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Litigate in federal and state courts, including appellate courts, throughout the country.
- Carry a substantial caseload in federal and state court, 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 seeking assistance from the Project.
- Conduct policy advocacy on immigration detention, prisoners’ rights, and criminal justice issues.
- Develop new cases and identify and work with potential plaintiffs and witnesses.
- Speak publicly to a variety of audiences on immigration detention, prisoners’ 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.
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Parental leave.
- Gender-affirming care and fertility treatment.
- 401(k) plan with 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
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
