Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney, State Supreme Court Initiative

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney in the State Supreme Court Initiative of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C., 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.

Launched in 2023, the SSCI is a team of ACLU attorneys dedicated to strengthening and expanding civil rights and civil liberties protections through litigation in state supreme courts. In just over a year of existence, the SSCI has already served as co-counsel for a party or an amicus curiae in 24 cases spanning 18 states. This work spans many issues. For example, we have litigated cases involving transgender rights in Kansas, free speech in Maine, prosecutorial accountability in Massachusetts, abortion in Nebraska, drug decriminalization in Nevada, and the political question doctrine in Utah.

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the National Legal Director, and working in close coordination with the SSCI’s two Senior Staff Attorneys, the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney will work to advance the SSCI’s mission through appellate advocacy, public education, coordination with advocacy partners, research and writing, and other priority areas as needed.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Participate in litigation on a wide range of issues in state courts, especially appellate litigation in state supreme courts
• File briefs in state supreme courts on cutting-edge constitutional issues, either as amicus or as co-counsel for a party, and participate in oral argument as appropriate
• Identify trends in state constitutional litigation and develop litigation strategies to advance the mission of the ACLU, and the SSCI specifically
• Identify and track cases percolating in state courts
• Work with and advise ACLU state affiliates on matters involving state constitutional law and state court litigation
• Facilitate strategic collaboration among affiliates engaged in state constitutional litigation
• Support development of civil liberties and civil rights doctrine across states
• Assist with training and mentorship of legal fellows, interns, and paralegal
• Engage in public speaking and the articulation of ACLU views to a variety of audiences
• Collaborate with staff across the organization, including in the subject-matter Projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, Communications, Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives, the National Political Advocacy Department, and state affiliates
• Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and case or client development

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
• Appropriate bar membership permitting practice in the District of Columbia or New York, depending on where the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney is based
• Exceptional writing, analytic, research, and speaking skills are required
• A demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment
• Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure
• Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of five years’ litigation experience, including clerkships
• Familiarity with state court litigation and/or state constitutional law 

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: $89,250-$111,491
• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $124,873-$147,324
• 6-10 years since law school graduation: $154,069- $173,808
• 11-15 years since law school graduation: $177,058-$187,108
• 16-20 years since law school graduation: $188,874-$193,738
• 21-25 years since law school graduation: $194,719-$198,708
• 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $199,666- $203,553

These salaries are reflective