Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Reform Project

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the Criminal Law Reform Project of the ACLU’s National office in 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. 

The Criminal Law Reform Project’s (CLRP) mission is to advocate for the constitutional and civil rights of those impacted by criminal legal systems. We use litigation and advocacy to confront systemic government conduct that fuels the carceral state and police abuse, and oppresses people based on race, class, and other characteristics. CLRP does this work because everyone suspected, accused, or convicted of a crime deserves dignity, fairness, and an opportunity to thrive. Ultimately, we seek to shift power to under-sourced communities and to elevate approaches to justice and safety that advance fundamental rights for all. CLRP partners closely with our affiliates across the country and with other ACLU departments to build a movement for social change, promote racial justice, and win reforms needed to significantly reduce our nation’s incarcerated population. 

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

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

The Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will report to the Deputy Project Director for Policing. The ACLU seeks a dynamic litigator to become a Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel with the Criminal Law Reform Project to develop and pursue impact litigation and advocacy aimed at challenging systemic abuses in the administration and enforcement of criminal law. This attorney will work on matters across the spectrum of the criminal system—from traffic stops to post-release supervision—with a particular emphasis on biased and abusive police practices.  

YOUR DAY TO DAY

Litigation and Advocacy 

The attorney will be expected to: 

• Litigate in state and federal courts across the country, including researching and drafting pleadings and briefs, engaging in discovery and motion practice, and conducting evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, trials and appeals 
• Provide legal and strategic advice to local ACLU affiliates, cooperating attorneys, and other partners on litigation 
• Serve as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work as well as advance ACLU policy goals through public education, advocacy and participating in coalitions 
• Collaborate with staff across the organization, including in other projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, Communications, Affiliate Support and Advocacy, the National Political Advocacy Department, Data Analytics, and state affiliates 
• Engage in communications and media expressing CLRP views to a variety of audiences 

Staffing and Management 

The attorney will be expected to: 

• Participate in processes for hiring and onboarding staff 
• Assist in the development and mentoring of more junior staff, fellows, and interns 

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

To be successful in this role, you should bring previous work experience and qualifications that include: 

• J.D. degree
• If not currently admitted to the New York Bar, you must be admitted to the bar of another state and agree to become admitted to the New York Bar within one year of hire 
• You have years of demonstrated civil litigation experience and aptitude, for instance