Job of the Day: Staff Attorney with the ACLU of the Nation’s Capital
The American Civil Liberties Union of the Nation’s Capital (ACLU-NCA) is currently accepting applications for a vacant staff attorney position, focusing primarily on legislative advocacy and advancing criminal and racial justice in the District of Columbia. From the PSJD job listing:
This new position provides a unique opportunity for candidates who are committed to impact-oriented civil rights work and are passionate about equal protection under the law, racial justice, and the full range of ACLU issues.
Under the direction of the Legal Director, the staff attorney is expected to further the affiliate’s litigation program and legislative advocacy. In addition, the staff attorney will develop and execute an integrated advocacy approach combining litigation, legislative advocacy and public education in protecting and advancing civil liberties and civil rights, including racial justice and criminal law reform. The staff attorney will be encouraged to identify, lead, and carry out program activities and strategies to address discrimination, racial profiling, police practices, the problems of incarceration, and the over-discipline of public school children.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
- Litigation of ACLU cases in a broad range of areas in federal and D.C. trial and appellate courts (including the typical activities of research and writing on factual and legal issues, preparing memoranda of findings and recommendations, drafting briefs and other pleadings, engaging in discovery and motions practice, and appearing in court for all purposes);
- Working with pro bono co-counsel from private law firms;
- Working with senior management to create a strategic work plan to advance criminal and racial justice;
- Serving as a resource in the affiliates’ legislative and policy work including legal analysis of proposed legislation and government policies and practice, and providing testimony;
- Advancing racial justice in the District of Columbia through administrative and legislative forums, including partnering and advising the local bar, other organizations and advocates;
- Developing new cases and non-litigation advocacy projects;
- Working closely with the public outreach and education staff on civil liberties issues;
- Supervising entry-level attorneys, legal fellows, paralegals and student interns.
Successful applicants will have had a federal judicial clerkship and/or significant federal court litigation experience, and a minimum of 3 years litigation experience. For more information on qualifications and application instructions, view the full job listing at PSJD.org (log-in required).