Staff Attorney, Criminal Justice and Police Practices

ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIF • Los Angeles, CA

2d • $89,068 - $106,351

About The Position

The ACLU Foundation of Southern California’s Advocacy Department seeks a Staff Attorney for its Criminal Justice and Police Practices project. The role develops and litigates state and federal cases and engages in legislative and policy advocacy on criminal legal reform and policing, with an emphasis on Orange County-based advocacy. The work promotes decarceration, law enforcement agency transparency, officer accountability, community-based alternatives to policing and incarceration, and challenges bias, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

The Staff Attorney helps create, implement, and participate in campaigns focused on community safety and care that are community-based, holistic, and transformative. The position also includes public education and technical assistance on criminal legal and policing issues for coalitions, community partners, government officials, and government bodies. The attorney reports to the Director of Criminal Justice and Police Practices or their designee, works within the project and statewide Criminal Justice and Policing teams, and collaborates with attorneys, policy advocates, organizers, and the Communications Department. Travel throughout Southern California and occasional trips to Sacramento may be required.

This is a full-time, exempt bargaining unit position in the National Organization of Legal Services Workers union. ACLU SoCal uses an integrated advocacy approach that may include litigation, legislative drafting, lobbying, coalition work, public education, report writing, and issue-based trainings. Candidates are not expected to have experience across the entire range of tasks and are encouraged to consider transferable skills and willingness to learn new functions.

Requirements

• Approximately 2–8 years of experience is anticipated; applicants with approximately that level of experience and demonstrated commitment to civil and human rights, racial justice, and strong advocacy and litigation skills will be considered.
• Admitted to practice law in California or willing to promptly take the California bar exam.
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and speaking skills.
• Ability to develop and litigate impact cases.
• Ability to work in diverse coalitions and develop and implement advocacy campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in, create, and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, build strong relationships, and collaborate effectively.
• Deep commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, particularly criminal legal system and policing issues.
• Ability to travel within Southern California and occasionally to other parts of the state.
• Extremely strong project and time management skills, including organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.
• Willingness to work occasional weekend and evening hours as needed.
• Ability to supervise interns.
• Commitment to building or deepening understanding of racial equity, including structural racism, white privilege, anti-Blackness, racial inequity, implicit bias, and the impact of race on workplace relationships and culture.
• Ability to assess structural implications and racially disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions, including intersections of race or ethnicity with gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Ability to adhere to racial equity policies and procedures and identify and disrupt bias in work and team settings.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity working in the criminal legal system, especially policing, civil rights, or social justice issues in Southern California.
• Personal experience with the criminal legal system, including formerly incarcerated people and people with personal experience with incarceration.
• Demonstrated commitment to and track record of intersectional advocacy.
• Experience working effectively with coalitions and building coalitions.
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, and other community events.
• Spanish language fluency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and litigate state and federal cases concerning criminal legal reform and policing.
• Engage in legislative and policy advocacy, including statewide and local advocacy with an emphasis on Orange County.
• Help create, implement, and participate in campaigns advancing community-based, holistic, and transformative approaches to community safety and care.
• Promote decarceration, law enforcement agency transparency, officer accountability, and alternatives to policing and incarceration, and challenge bias, discrimination, and systemic injustice.
• Conduct public education and provide technical assistance to coalitions, community partners, government officials, and government bodies.
• Collaborate with attorneys, policy advocates, organizers, other ACLU SoCal projects, and the Communications Department.
• Travel within Southern California and occasionally to Sacramento or other parts of California.
• Supervise interns.
• Participate in occasional weekend and evening work as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and eligible dependents.
• Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Ample vacation and sick leave.
• Twenty-two paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed