Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, State Supreme Court Initiative

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time, term-limited, position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the State Supreme Court Initiative (SSCI) of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C., or New York, NY
. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
This is a two-year, term-limited position.

Launched in 2023, the SSCI is dedicated to ensuring that:

• people around the country have the broadest possible protections for their civil liberties under state constitutions,
• state courts play an independent and robust role in developing and protecting state and federal rights,
• the public understands the importance of state courts and has meaningful access to them.

In roughly two and a half years, the SSCI has built a broad and substantial docket, covering a wide range of states and issues. To date, we have represented a party or participated as amicus in more than 55 cases spanning 30 state high courts, including on issues of access to justice, equal protection, free speech, voting rights, criminal justice, and reproductive rights.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Reporting to the SSCI Co-Director
, the Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will work to advance the SSCI’s mission through appellate and, to a lesser extent, trial advocacy, public education, coordination with advocacy partners, research and writing, and other priority areas as needed.

• Participate in litigation on a wide range of issues in state appellate and trial courts, including by drafting briefs and other legal memoranda, researching and drafting pleadings, conducting oral arguments and evidentiary hearings, and engaging in motion practice and occasional discovery.
• Identify trends in state constitutional litigation and develop litigation strategies to advance the mission of the ACLU, and the SSCI specifically.
• Identify and track cases percolating in state courts.
• Analyze legislation for potential litigation in state court on issues that the SSCI prioritizes.
• Work with and advise ACLU state affiliates and national ACLU Projects on matters involving state constitutional law and state court litigation.
• Support development of state civil liberties and civil rights doctrine across the country, including through trainings and the development of model pleadings.
• Assist with training and mentorship of legal fellows, interns, and paralegal.
• Engage in public speaking and the articulation of ACLU views to a variety of audiences.
• Collaborate with staff across the organization, including in the subject‑matter Projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, Communications, Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives, the National Political Advocacy Department, and state affiliates.
• Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and case or client development.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU.
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives.
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

• J.D. degree.
• Appropriate bar membership permitting practice in the District of Columbia or New York, depending on where the attorney is based.
• Exceptional writing, analytic, research, and speaking skills are required.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
• Self‑motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment.

• Demonstrated litigation experience, including clerkships.
• Experience with both appellate and trial practice, with deep experience in appellate‑brief writing on novel legal issues.
• Familiarity with state court litigation and/or state constitutional…