Staff Attorney

The ACLU of Washington seeks applicants for a full-time staff attorney position. The staff attorney develops and litigates federal and state cases raising civil liberties and civil rights issues and participates in a broad range of related activities. The staff attorney reports to the Legal Director and works cooperatively with other legal, legislative, field and communications staff in a fast-paced, friendly, and professional office.

The ACLU of Washington:

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) is among the top affiliates of the national ACLU, with more than 25,000 members statewide and a staff of 30, including seven lawyers. The ACLU-WA takes on clients and causes based on civil liberties principles, paying particular attention to the rights of those who have historically been disenfranchised. The ACLU-WA has an active annual docket of 40-plus cases addressing free speech, racial justice, religious freedom, due process, privacy, reproductive and women's rights, immigrant rights, LGBT rights, voting rights and drug law reform. Our legal strategies are part of a multi-disciplinary approach to advocacy built on the belief that fighting for civil liberties and civil rights means not just persuading judges but ultimately changing the way people think.

Responsibilities:

The staff attorney is responsible for investigating and litigating civil liberties and civil rights cases in both federal and state courts. This includes legal research, drafting pleadings and briefs, discovery and motion practice, and handling trials and appeals.

Depending on the assignment, the staff attorney may also co-counsel cases with other public interest groups and ACLU cooperating attorneys, providing leadership, support, supervision and back-up, as the circumstances require. A part of this work involves building relationships with members of the private bar that encourage their involvement in ACLU work and participating in coalitions on complicated cases.

The staff attorney will also engage in advocacy short of litigation, provide occasional legal analysis to advance other ACLU policy work, conduct community outreach for strategic docket development, and supervise law students. Along with other professional staff members, the staff attorney represents the ACLU publicly, speaking to the media and others, as assigned.

Travel, as well as occasional work on nights and weekends, may be necessary. Along with all employees, the staff attorney helps maintain a positive, respectful, welcoming, and professional work environment for employees and volunteers.

Qualifications:

Experience: At least five years of significant litigation experience, including in the area of constitutional law. Strong skills to litigate independently and collaboratively, and proven success in working under pressure. Demonstrated ability to manage both the strategies and details of litigation. Superior writing, research and verbal skills in presenting both to lawyers and to the non-lawyer public. Excellent leadership and organizational skills in order to encourage volunteer lawyers, and work cooperatively in coalitions on complicated cases. The ability to take initiative, think strategically, and share responsibility and credit. Strong facility with computerized legal research and electronic software, including Microsoft Office suite. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Attributes: Self-motivation, reliability and creativity, with strong problem solving skills. A strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights issues. A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.

The attorney must be a member of the Washington State Bar (or willing to take the next bar examination).

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include three weeks vacation to start, medical and disability insurance, flex pass, and pension plan.

Application Procedure

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and list of references to the address below. Applications must be in paper form. Applications will be held in confidence.

Staff Attorney Screening Committee
ACLU of Washington Foundation
705 2nd Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104

The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The ACLU of Washington and the ACLU of Washington Foundation share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name "ACLU of Washington."

The ACLU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.