Staff Attorney

ACLU of Texas is the leading civil-rights organization in the state, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend civil rights for all Texans.

About the role

The Staff Attorney reports to the Legal Director and plays a leadership role in developing and managing litigation and related activities in support of the ACLU’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a robust docket concentrating on civil rights and liberties.
• Review, investigate, and select for legal representation complaints received through the ACLU-TX intake system, referrals from other organizations and agencies, and attorneys.
• Develop and prosecute select civil liberties and civil rights cases, including legal research and memoranda, drafting pleadings and briefs, discovery and motion practice, mediation, trials, settlement negotiation, post-judgment litigation, and appeals in both state and federal courts.
• Develop and execute non-litigation legal advocacy, such as preparing and filing administrative complaints, and provide limited representation in administrative proceedings.
• Provide legal support to community partners and advocates advancing ACLU-TX’s goals in non-legal spaces.
• Participate as a legal expert in local and statewide legislative processes, including analyzing bills and policies, developing talking points, engaging in public education, and authoring and delivering testimony.
• Litigate select cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel with cooperating or other public interest and private attorneys.
• Conduct legal and factual research; prepare legal memoranda and letters; draft demand letters; review, comment on, or write amicus briefs.
• Advocate for civil liberties and serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU both with the press and as a public speaker, when appropriate.
• Support the advocacy and legal needs of cross-departmental advocacy work.
• Collaborate and work with ACLU National colleagues on joint projects, cases, or working groups, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• JD with at least three years of litigation experience, preferably with a background in constitutional and civil rights and civil liberties issues.
• Experience with public interest advocacy and working with community-based groups is preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas 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.
• Demonstrated ability to litigate independently, jointly, or in a team, and under pressure.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage a docket requiring frequent requests for immediate relief.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple cases and advocacy projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills for both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, writing, and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, respectfully, courteously, and professionally with lawyers, clients, staff members, and community organizations, leaders, partners, and coalitions.
• Commitment to the rules of professional conduct and ethical practice of law.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; a personal approach that values the individual holistically and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.
• Proficiency with computers and software: Windows, Microsoft Office, and Westlaw in particular.
• Willing and able to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off policy.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with an employer match.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous paid holidays.

Pay

Starting salary is $84,000 - $88,000.