ABOUT THE JOB

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, DC, 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. This is a two-year term-limited position.

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 in more than 25 states, 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).

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director for Immigration Detention, the Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will contribute to all aspects of the Project’s litigation and non-litigation work, with a special focus on the Project’s immigration detention work.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

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 who seek assistance from the Project
Conduct policy advocacy on immigration detention, prisoners’ rights, 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 immigration detention, prisoners’ rights, criminal justice, and civil liberties issues
Travel as required for litigation, case management, conferences, and client development

In addition to:

Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Demonstrated litigation experience
Admission to practice (based on office assignment)
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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Familiarity with issues related to conditions of confinement preferred
Proficiency in Spanish preferred

COMPENSATION

The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances)

0-2 years since law school graduation: $96,069 - $120,009