Staff Attorney

Job Description

ACLU of Delaware Staff Attorney
Job Posting

Founded in 1961, The American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware (ACLU of DE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that uses legal, legislative, and advocacy approaches to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional rights and freedoms, including justice reform, education equity, free speech, racial justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and more. The ACLU of Delaware is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights.

The ACLU of Delaware is one of this area’s premier public advocacy organizations. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, the ACLU of Delaware is led by a 18-member Board of Directors and a staff of thirteen. The Wilmington and broader Delaware communities are vibrant and collegial, and Delaware offers an excellent and affordable quality of life. Wilmington is also close to various attractions, including major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC and the beach.

For more information, please visit www.aclu-de.org .

THE OPPORTUNITY

The ACLU-DE seeks a litigator, advocate, and collaborator to serve as its Staff Attorney. Reporting to the Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for developing new litigation, investigating violations of civil liberties, and utilizing non-litigation advocacy to advance and protect people’s rights. As a member of the ACLU-DE team, the Staff Attorney will work in concert with our advocacy, policy, communications, and development staff to promote the strategic objectives of the organization. Our current campaign priorities include education equity, reform of the justice system, voting rights, immigrants’ rights, and more.

The Staff Attorney’s essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Litigate high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts.
• Conduct investigations, both independently and in collaboration with the Legal Director.
• Investigate, develop, and advance, in coordination with other departments, non-litigation strategies for advancing civil rights and civil liberties.
• Serve as an ACLU-DE spokesperson with the media and external partners on identified issues.
• Assist with the development of funding proposals.
• Effectively supervise, manage, and mentor law students and paralegals with an eye toward their professional development.
• Assess requests for legal assistance and identify appropriate cases for further investigation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with private practitioners in Delaware and educate them about ACLU-DE litigation priorities.
• Recruit private practitioners to assist with litigation.
• Identify private practitioners willing to handle individual cases referred by ACLU-DE.
• Fostering an organizational culture within the legal program that encourages staff development through internal and external resources, and living out our organizational values of equity and inclusion.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with organizations in the field, community-based organizations, allies, stakeholders, communities affected by our work.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will have the following professional skills, qualities, and competencies:

• Juris Doctorate degree required. Admission to the Delaware Bar or prepared to sit for the Delaware Bar Exam. Admission to the Delaware Bar will be required for the Staff Attorney, if not already attained;
• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications.
• Flourishes in a fast-paced environment and can effectively manage multiple issues and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills. Able to easily present complex legal concepts in ways that non-attorneys and stakeholders can understand.
• Possesses competencies and commitment needed to create and support an equitable and high-performing work environment.
• Ability to influence others and understand the dynamics of personal and political influence.
• Able to earn trust and respect from the communities the ACLU-DE serves.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range is $60,000-$75,000. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, retirement savings plan, life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.

TO APPLY

Please upload a resume, letter of interest, and two legal writing samples.

Applications will be reviewed beginning July 11, 2022 and the position will remain open until filled. All interviews will be held remotely at this time.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

https://boards.greenhouse.io/aclu/jobs/6233909002

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