American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut (“ACLUF-CT”)
Position Description: Legal Director

Position Overview:
Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Legal Director manages and coordinates the organization’s statewide legal program and participates in non-litigation advocacy activities. Although the primary litigation function in the ACLUF-CT’s wide range of civil liberties cases will be recruiting and managing cooperating counsel (generally attorneys in private practice who volunteer to handle litigation under the direction of the ACLUF-CT), the Legal Director may also directly handle cases – or supervise the ACLUF-CT’s other staff attorney in handling cases – especially in connection with pleading, discovery and emergency hearings and presenting oral arguments in state and federal courts at both trial and appellate levels. The Legal Director also works with the National ACLU litigation team in investigating and developing cases. The Legal Director will also have non-litigation advocacy responsibilities including public speaking, media interviews and outreach work, researching legal issues related to proposed legislation, and writing press releases, op-eds and newsletter articles and reports. The Legal Director will work with a local legal committee and report periodically to the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct and oversee complex civil liberties litigation in Federal and State courts.
• Maintain and expand a network of cooperating attorneys to assist the ACLU of Connecticut in litigation, case evaluation, publications, and legislative research.
• Recruit, train and supervise staff attorneys, legal interns and volunteers.
• Conduct and oversee research and writing about civil liberties issues, including for courts, legislative initiatives, newsletters, newspapers, the website (www.acluct.org) and reports for the Board and Executive Director.
• Engage in public speaking, and articulate the ACLUF-CT’s views to the public on a broad range of issues.
• Maintain relationships with legal staff at the National ACLU and ACLU affiliates and projects, as well as with legal services and other public interest attorneys in Connecticut.
• Participate in Board meetings and in National ACLU legal conferences.
• Prepare regular reports to the Executive Director of all significant legal department activities.
• Create and oversee systems to professionally review, evaluate and respond to phone and mail intake.

Qualifications:

• JD with at least 5 year’s experience as a litigator, preferably with federal appellate experience and in complex litigation of constitutional issues. Experience in non-profit advocacy or other community-based groups is valuable.
• Membership in the Connecticut Bar (or must pass the next Bar Examination)
• Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills.
• Firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU - the preservation and vigorous protection of civil liberties. Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues, as well as prior experience with such issues, is also valuable.
• A demonstrated ability to lead, manage and motivate others (preferably in a nonprofit environment), including supervising and coordinating with others.
• Superb organization skills; detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Willingness to work beyond the 9 to 5 hours of the normal work day, including evening and weekend meetings and events. Occasional travel to attend statewide or national meetings is required.
• Proficiency with computers: Windows and Microsoft Office in particular

Personal Characteristics:
Ideally, the successful candidate will be the following:

• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications.
• An energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively; flexible and well organized.
• Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor in order to maintain balance and perspective.

Compensation:
Salary is negotiable based on experience. Competitive benefits.

Application Procedure:
Please submit in digital form, by email, a detailed letter of interest, resume, writing sample and contact information for three references. Send to ASchneider@acluct.org.

Andrew Schneider, Executive Director
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut
32 Grand Street
Hartford, CT 06106

Application deadline: January 2, 2008

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including women, people of color, LGBT persons and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.