Staff Attorney-ACLUF of Northern California
August 21, 2012
Staff Attorney
Application Deadline: September 20, 2012
Inquiries will be accepted until position is filled
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California (ACLU-NC), the largest ACLU affiliate in the nation, seeks an attorney with litigation and/or policy experience for a staff attorney position in its San Francisco office to support the Education Equity Project. The staff attorney will work in the Education Equity Project, and will be a member of the Legal and departments. This is a full time two year position, with the possibility of extension.
Our legal staff, consisting of a legal director, six staffattorneys, several legal fellows, a senior legal department administrator, and two litigation assistants, litigates complex federal and state cases raising civil liberties and civil rights issues, and engages in advocacy on a broad range of issues, including legislative work, the publication of reports, public speaking and media interviews. The office is collegial; the work is challenging, varied, and rewarding.
Job Description:
The staff attorney will be assisting the Education Equity Project with the Schools for All Campaign. The Schools for All Campaign uses a combination of litigation, policy and legislative advocacy, public education, communications, and organizing strategies to ensure that all youth attend schools that are inclusive, respectful, and welcoming – schools that do not give up on students but rather strive to foster the potential of every child.
The Education Equity Project is a multidisciplinary project, in which the staff attorney will work closely with other ACLU-NC staff members in developing overall advocacy strategies for protecting civil liberties and civil rights involving litigation, public education, and legislative strategies. The Education Equity Project also includes members from professionally-staffed Policy, Communications, Organizing & Community Affairs, and Legislative Departments. The staff of the ACLU-NC consists of 50 persons.
The staff attorney will be responsible for working on impact litigation related to educational equity. The attorney will litigate individual and class actions raising constitutional and statutory claims in state and federal courts, at trial and appellate levels, through direct representation and the filing of amicus briefs. All attorneys in the office work closely with and supervise cooperating attorneys from private firms, often work as co-counsel with other public interest attorneys, work in collaboration with the Policy, Communications, and Organizing and Community Affairs Departments, and provide assistance to ACLU's legislative advocates in the Sacramento legislative office.
Qualifications:
- A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, particularly issues related to education, and support for the goals of the American Civil Liberties Union;
- At least two or three years of litigation and/or policy experience
- Ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and communicate them to a variety of audiences;
- Ability to develop and implement non-litigation strategies;
- Ability to litigate independently and under pressure;
- Excellent writing and analytical skills;
- Skills as an articulate public advocate (bilingual ability preferred);
- Personal enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of humor; and
- Flexibility for travel, including regular travel to assigned communities;
- Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with diverse community organizations and coalitions; and
- Membership in the California State Bar (or must pass the next California Bar Examination).
Compensation:
Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; medical, dental and vision insurance for staff members and their dependents and spouse/domestic partners; life and long-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; and thirteen paid holidays.<.div>
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in this position to the attention of Anna Salem, ACLU Foundation of Northern California, 39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, CA 94111, or via email to HR-Admin01@aclunc.org.
About the ACLU of Northern California:
The ACLU is a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights. The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU-NC) was founded in 1934. It is the largest ACLU affiliate in the nation, with 53,000 members, 23 all-volunteer chapters and a staff of 50, including a legislative office in Sacramento and a satellite office in San Jose. The ACLU Foundation of Northern California is the 501(C)(3) arm of the organization and is the local affiliate of the national ACLU Foundation.
The ACLU-NC is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.