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Posted on May 5th, 2010
The ACLU of Texas seeks a Staff Attorney
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, an affiliate of the National ACLU, seeks a full-time, permanent Staff Attorney, based in Austin, Texas.
The ACLU works in the courts, legislature and in communities to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and state and federal civil rights laws. The ACLU legal team litigates a broad range of constitutional cases in state and federal courts, including but not limited to, free speech, freedom of religion, lesbian and gay rights, reproductive freedom, criminal justice, prison and jail conditions of confinement, immigrants' rights, and privacy rights.
The Staff Attorney reports to the Legal Director and carries out litigation and related activities in support of the ACLU's mission. Primary responsibilities include: investigating and developing impact litigation based on reported civil liberties violations across the state; serving as lead and co-counsel on diverse individual liberties cases; collaborating with a state-wide network of volunteer attorneys; coordinating with National ACLU legal projects; some public speaking, media, outreach, and administrative activities. The position might include supervisory responsibilities depending on candidate experience.
Position Overview
Under the direction of the Legal Director, the Staff Attorney carries out the development and administration of an active litigation program to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and state and federal civil rights laws. This is a full-time, exempt position located in Austin, Texas.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a robust docket concentrating on individual liberties, such as First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, including:
- Review, investigate, and select for litigation complaints received through the ACLUTX intake system, as well as referrals from other agencies and attorneys.
- Develop select civil liberties and civil rights cases, including legal research, the drafting of pleadings and briefs, discovery and motion practice, trials, and appeals in both state and federal courts.
- Litigate select cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel with cooperating or other public interest attorneys.
- Conduct research, prepare legal memoranda and letters; review, comment or write amicus briefs.
- Provide legal analysis to other senior ACLU staff, and supervise law students and interns.
- Advocate for civil liberties and serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU both with the press and as a public speaker, as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain relationships with legal staff at the National ACLU, its projects and other affiliates.
Qualifications
- JD with at least 3 years of litigation experience, preferably with a background in litigation raising constitutional, criminal justice, or discrimination issues. A strong understanding of civil liberties and civil rights analysis is required. Experience in public interest advocacy or other community-based groups is valuable.
- Licensed to practice law and a member of the State Bar of Texas or eligible to waive in.
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues and demonstrated commitment to the preservation and vigorous enforcement of civil liberties. Firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.
- Demonstrated skills in litigating independently, jointly and under pressure.
- Demonstrated capacity to manage largely responsive docket requiring frequent requests for immediate relief, e.g. temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions.
- Excellent communication skills to both legal and non-legal audiences.
- Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, and strategic thinking.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with lawyers, clients, and other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
- 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.
- Proficient with computers: Windows and Microsoft Office in particular.
- Willing and able to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Personal Characteristics
- Personally committed to advancing the ACLU's values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications.
- A flexible, reliable, creative, and energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.
- A team player that inspires collaboration and functions decisively; flexible and well organized.
- Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor in order to maintain balance and perspective.
- Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, working beyond 9-5 as needed.
Salary range is commensurate to other public interest law firms in the area and will be set depending upon experience. The ACLU provides excellent benefits.
To apply: Send cover letter, with salary requirements, resume, and names and contact information of three professional references with by email, in MSWord or PDF only, to egalvan@aclutx.org or mail to P.O. Box 12905, Austin, TX 78711 Attn: Edith Galvan.
Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, person with disabilities, and lesbians, gays and transgendered persons are encouraged to apply.
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