TO APPLY: Applicants for this position should submit a resume, list of references, and a cover letter that best expresses their interest and unique qualifications, and a legal writing sample. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.
Summary
The Staff Attorney helps advance ACLUM’s civil rights and civil liberties agenda in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, across the entire range of ACLU of Massachusetts priority issue areas. The focus of this role is to develop and pursue litigation, perform legal research and analysis, participate in developing strategies for both litigation and non-litigation advocacy, and contribute to ACLUM’s integrated advocacy between departments. This position reports to an assigned Managing Attorney and works closely with members of the Legal Department, cooperating attorneys, and other ACLUM departments to achieve litigation and other advocacy objectives for the organization.
The ideal candidate will have legal experience in one or more of the following areas: privacy, surveillance and technology; criminal law and civil litigation challenging various stages of the criminal legal system; race, gender, LGBTQIA+, and/or disability discrimination; or free expression and/or religious freedoms.
Essential Duties
Litigation Advocacy
- Work on legal cases related to ACLUM priority issues
- Perform legal research, analysis, and assist with strategy development for litigation
- Evaluate and investigate potential claims for litigation
- Identify potential clients for cases related to ACLUM priority issues
- Research and draft legal advocacy and demand letters
- Draft pleadings, motions, merits briefs, amicus briefs and complaints
- Conduct and defend depositions and engage in written discovery
- Participate in and present oral arguments in state and federal courts
- Assist the Legal Resources team in responding to legal resource requests
- Draft public records requests and review and analyze responses
- Serve as liaison with cooperating attorneys as assigned
Non-Litigation Advocacy
- Collaborate with the Legislative team to review and analyze priority legislation and legislative testimony
- Collaborate with the Field team to incorporate legal content in public education materials related to ACLUM priority issues
- Collaborate with the Communications team to respond to media inquiries as requested
- Participate in public speaking engagements as assigned and in partnership with the Communications team
- Participate in external issue-focused coalitions and working groups
Other Responsibilities
- Special projects and other tasks as assigned by the Legal Director and supervising Managing Attorney
Qualifications, Experience and Attributes
- Juris Doctor Degree required
- Massachusetts Bar admission or ability to promptly obtain admission
- Three to five years’ litigation experience, and legal experience working in ACLUM priority issue areas
- Civil litigation experience at both the trial and appellate levels
- Demonstrated strength in legal analysis, writing and oral presentation
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure
- Strong ability to communicate with diverse audiences in both written and oral presentations
- Excellent interpersonal skills, and proven effectiveness in collaboration and coordination with internal and external partners
- Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic background
Key Performance Indicators
- Creativity in development of legal analysis
- Effective execution of strategy in litigation and other advocacy work
- Efficient use of time in litigation, including the anticipation and meeting of deadlines
- Thorough handling of research, discovery and motion practice
- Persuasiveness of drafted pleadings and briefings
- Effectiveness in presentation of oral arguments in court and/or participation in trials
- Proactivity, clarity, and sensitivity in communications
- Active engagement in non-litigation advocacy
- Effectiveness in collaboration with ACLUM colleagues, cooperating attorneys, and other stakeholders
Other Requirements
- Frequent written and verbal communication
- Extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing information, in hard-copy and electronic format
- Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position, in an office environment and outdoor venues
- Ability to frequently and independently travel to various locations across Massachusetts
- Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum annual salary of $105,000, which may be higher depending on the selected candidate’s experience. Benefits include medical and dental insurance for employees and their eligible dependents, a matching 401(k) plan, and paid time off, including vacation and holidays.
About the ACLU of Massachusetts
The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights (including equal marriage), women's rights, criminal justice issues, equal opportunity, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. ACLUM staff are unionized and this position is within the bargaining unit.
ACLUM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and formerly incarcerated people to apply.
This position is based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. Residency in Massachusetts or within a 60-mile radius of Boston in a contiguous New England state is required. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation.