Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney

About the role

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) seeks an attorney to join our legal team to advance our mission through litigation and integrated, nonlitigation advocacy to protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights in Tennessee. This position may be filled at either the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney level, depending on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Litigate a wide range of civil rights and/or civil liberties cases in state and federal courts, including:
• Conducting factual investigation and legal research
• Drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and memoranda
• Engaging in discovery, including taking and defending depositions
• Examining witnesses and presenting evidence at hearings and trials
• Participating in oral advocacy at trial and/or appellate levels
• Negotiating settlements and drafting related agreements
• Identifying, investigating, and developing new cases, including client outreach, intake, and relationship-building
• Collaborating with colleagues across departments and with external partners, including co-counsel, cooperating attorneys, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders
• Providing technical assistance and legal advice to cooperating attorneys and others who seek assistance on litigation concerning civil rights and civil liberties, legislation, and advocacy
• Developing and maintaining relationships with legal associations, pro bono counsel, partners, and coalitions to support litigation and advocacy goals
• Contributing to integrated advocacy strategies, including policy, legislative, community engagement, and communications efforts
• Engaging in public education, coalition work, and community outreach in consultation and collaboration with other programmatic departments
• Serving as a representative or spokesperson for the organization on legal issues and cases, in collaboration with the communications department
• Serving as a representative or spokesperson for the organization on legal issues and cases, in collaboration with the communications department
• Travel as needed for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development

Qualifications

• Commitment to advancing the mission of the ACLU of Tennessee
• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice law in Tennessee or eligibility and willingness to promptly seek admission
• Demonstrated interest in or commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, or public interest law
• Exceptionally strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively are essential
• Ability to manage multiple projects and strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Sound judgment and ability to navigate complex or high-pressure situations
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within and across teams and with external partners
• Dedication to centering and embedding the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives in a team environment
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
• Willingness to work occasional weekend and evening hours and to travel, as needed

Preferred / Advanced Qualifications

• Extensive years of litigation experience, including clerkships, is preferred, especially including both trial and appellate work
• Demonstrated leadership skills, for instance serving as lead counsel on a litigation or project team
• Experience in complex or impact litigation (e.g., constitutional claims, Section 1983 cases, class actions)
• Experience with oral argument, taking and defending depositions, participating in evidentiary hearings, and motions practice
• Subject-matter expertise in relevant issue areas (e.g., voting rights, criminal legal system reform, First Amendment, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, etc.)
• Experience with legislative, policy, or administrative advocacy and collaborating with community-based organizations or impacted populations
• Developed skills in working with or representing vulnerable clients
• Language proficiency relevant to the communities served