Staff Attorney - ACLU

Staff Attorney - ACLU of Illinois
Illinois Legal Aid Online

Location:

ACLU of Illinois, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601, United States

The Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois (ACLU-IL) seeks a Staff Attorney to engage in litigation and, in collaboration with other Departments, non‑litigation advocacy to promote transformational change across our substantive program areas.

The Legal Department advances civil rights and civil liberties through impact litigation, advocacy, and education. Our work protects democracy, fights racism, promotes reproductive health care, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equity, and protects vulnerable children and young people.

• Conduct legal research and prepare written analyses on complex legal issues.
• Produce polished written work (e.g., discovery documents, pleadings, briefs) with minimal supervision.
• Appear in administrative proceedings and in court at trial and appellate level.
• Help develop high‑impact cases, researching systemic practices, obtaining public records, working with coalition partners, and learning from directly impacted people.
• Advance non‑litigation strategies in coordination with other departments (policy reform, legislative campaigns, public education, fundraising).
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, impacted individuals, experts, community organizations, coalitions, and ACLU‑IL members.
• Serve as ACLU‑IL spokesperson with media and external partners on identified issues.
• Assist with other organizational duties, such as recruiting and supervising legal interns.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned to advance the work of the Legal Department.

• J.D. and admission to practice in Illinois, or eligibility to waive into Illinois bar, or willingness to take Illinois bar exam no later than February 2026.
• 3–5 years of litigation experience in state court, federal court, and/or administrative proceedings including drafting pleadings, motions, discovery, and expert opinion development.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Initiative, multi‑tasking, prioritization, and problem‑solving ability.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel throughout Illinois and to work beyond normal hours, including weekends.
• Commitment to advancing ACLU‑IL’s mission, goals, and programs.

Salary commensurate with experience according to the ACLU‑IL salary scale. Example: minimum annual salary for a 2022 law school graduate with 3 years of experience is $71,000 (in 2022), adjusted to $75,281 in 2026.

• Vacation: 15 days paid first year, 20 days thereafter.
• Health benefits:
  
  100% employer‑paid premiums for medical, vision, dental for staff and eligible dependents.
• Retirement: 6% employer‑paid contribution after 1 year, plus 50% match on first $125 per pay period.
• Other benefits: life insurance, employee assistance program, short & long term disability, parental leave after 1 year, flexible spending accounts.

Position type:
Full‑time.
Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior.

Employment type:

Full‑time.
Job function:
Legal.
Industries:
Legal Services.