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

About this role

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 drafting complaints and briefs and conducting discovery

• You have demonstrated ability to conduct thorough and goal-oriented fact-finding and investigation

• You are skilled in working with litigation and/or project teams, including development of clear goals, strategy, team processes and communication, and accountability

• You value and excel at working with a wide range of people while fostering a collaborative, respectful team environment

• You thrive in a complex, cross-departmental structure, particularly with respect to identifying and leveraging organizational resources

• You have a deep familiarity with and commitment to criminal and racial justice (e.g., as a criminal defense lawyer, formerly incarcerated person, civil rights litigator, etc.)

• You have excellent legal analytical, research, and writing skills

• You are willing to travel as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• You have demonstrated leadership skills, for instance serving as lead counsel on a litigation or project team

• You have experience litigating police misconduct claims

• You have the ability to develop novel litigation theories to challenge criminal legal abuses

• You have experience with data analysis as an advocacy or litigation tool

• You have experience with complex litigation, such as civil rights class actions or other forms of impact litigation

• You have skill working with or representing vulnerable clients, particularly those involved in the criminal legal system

• You have deposition, trial, or hearing experience, or experience at oral argument or appellate litigation

• You have experience with press strategies for advocacy, such as drafting press releases, and op-eds, or conducting television appearances

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: $96,069 - $120,009

• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579

• 6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,8

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