Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney, LGBTQ & HIV Project

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & HIV 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. 

Through the LGBTQ & HIV Project, founded in 1986, the ACLU seeks to create a just society for all LGBTQ people and people living with HIV regardless of race or income. Through litigation, lobbying, public education, and organizing, the ACLU works to build a country where our communities can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. The ACLU has been a leading advocate for LGBTQ rights for decades, having brought its first gay rights case in 1936, its first transgender rights case in 1967, and having served as counsel in seven of the past nine United States Supreme Court cases involving LGBTQ-related issues. Our advocacy strategies are built around the idea that fighting for civil rights means not just persuading judges and legislatures but ultimately changing the way people think about us and our issues.

Today, the ACLU and its state affiliate offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico do more litigation, policy advocacy, legislative lobbying, ballot campaigns, and public education work on LGBTQ issues than any other national civil rights organization. We currently are prioritizing our work for transgender justice in particular. Doing this work as part of the broad civil liberties agenda of the ACLU reflects the reality that the LGBTQ and HIV communities are part of other social change movements and that we must work together if we are to achieve a just society for all. The ACLU strives to ensure that the full diversity of the LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities is reflected in its work and continues to explore ways to make our efforts more impactful for people of color, people living with disabilities, people living in poverty, and others who have been historically excluded by our movements.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney 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.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Litigation in federal and state courts, including writing pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery and motion practice, handling hearings and trials, and arguing appeals
• Working with ACLU political advocacy and state affiliate staff on bills in state legislatures and in Congress
• Policy advocacy to effect change in state and federal administrative agencies
• Engaging in community outreach and public speaking, including representing ACLU positions to the media and the public generally
• Working closely with legal and non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, advocacy, fundraising, and support professionals
• Developing strong relationships with other public interest lawyers and ACLU volunteer lawyers
• Supervising law clerks
• Traveling 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

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. degree and admission to practice in one state is required. If the candidate is not already admitted to practice in New York, admission to the New York Bar is required within one year of hire
• Significant litigation experience
• Demonstrated capacity to perform complex legal analytical work
• Excellent research skills
• Demonstrated ability to write and to speak clearly and persuasively
• Applicants should be self-starters, be diligent, and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people and to perform under pressure

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with advocacy campaigns at the local, state or federal level is preferred
• Experience with constitutional issues is preferred
• Familiarity with LGBTQ rights, HIV/AIDS and other civil liberties issues is preferred

COMPENSATION

The ACLU has a litigator sc