Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, Reproductive Freedom Project

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the Reproductive Freedom Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project envisions a world that respects and supports each of us in making deeply personal decisions that determine the shape of our lives: with whom to form intimate relationships, and whether, when, and how to have children. In the world we see, we can all get the health care and other resources necessary to have a child, to prevent pregnancy, or to have an abortion—regardless of where we live, our income, race, age, gender identity, immigration status or whom we love.

For five decades, the ACLU has been a leader in the efforts to ensure that every person has access to affordable and stigma-free abortion care. Since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, the ACLU has brought dozens of lawsuits seeking to preserve and expand access to abortion. Current cases include challenges to abortion bans in states like Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri, challenges to policies that seek to prevent people from traveling to get an abortion, and cases using new state constitutional amendments to strike restrictions and expand access. The ACLU is also a leader on efforts to preserve and expand access to medication abortion, having brought the case that led to the FDA lifting rules that prevented people from receiving their medication through the mail.

In the current environment, the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project is preparing to challenge new efforts by the Trump Administration to restrict access to abortion, including efforts to restrict access to medication abortion, misapply federal laws to shut down abortion care, or to decimate our nation’s family planning program.

The Reproductive Freedom Project’s work extends beyond abortion and contraception. For example, the ACLU is currently litigating a case in Alabama – a state with woefully insufficient maternity care and appallingly high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality – which enabled the first free standing birth center to obtain a license and begin serving patients.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Project Director or Deputy Project Director, the Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will be responsible for creating and implementing multi-pronged strategies using litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, and public education to further the ACLU’s strategic goals to protect and advance reproductive rights.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Litigate in federal and state courts, including research, developing claims, writing pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery and depositions, handling hearings and trials, and arguing motions and appeals
• Work with ACLU political advocacy and state affiliate staff on bills in state legislatures and in Congress and on regulatory matters
• Advise abortion providers and others about compliance with abortion restrictions
• Engage in public speaking with the media, at conferences, and on panels
• Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials
• Provide support to ACLU affiliates on reproductive rights matters
• Develop strong relationships with abortion providers, partner organizations, and ACLU affiliates
• Work closely with legal and non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, advocacy, fundraising, and support professionals
• Travel as required for litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, conferences, and public speaking
• 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 and admission to practice in one state is required
• Significant litigation experience
• Demonstrated capacity to perform complex legal analytical work
• Excellent research skills
• Demonstrate