The ACLU of Delaware is seeking an ambitious and experienced staff attorney to play a leadership role advancing civil rights and liberties in the state through impact litigation, policy change advocacy and community collaboration.
This is an exciting time to join the ACLU. For almost 100 years, we have been at the forefront of every major civil liberties fight in our country’s history. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote, we take up the toughest civil liberties issues to protect us all from government abuse and overreach and to promote fairness and equality.
The ACLU of Delaware is currently focused on criminal justice reform and quality education for all students no matter their socioeconomic status or learning challenges—while continuing our longstanding role of protecting core constitutional principles such as free speech and religious freedom. We are a highly motivated group of attorneys, public policy advocates, communication experts, community organizers and fundraisers who improve the lives of Delawareans up and down the state. Death penalty reform, protecting women in prison from sexual assault, and securing a woman’s right to choose are just a few of the recent victories in which we played a leadership role. Our newly hired staff attorney will be an integral member of this team.
Staff Attorney Responsibilities
• Investigate, develop, and handle all stages of the litigation of civil liberties and civil rights cases in state and federal court.
• Litigate cases alone and with national ACLU lawyers, volunteer Delaware lawyers, and counsel from other public interest groups.
• Assess requests for legal assistance and identify appropriate cases for ACLU representation.
• Recruit volunteer attorneys.
• Research issues related to proposed legislation; prepare draft bills and other documents that assist with lobbying efforts.
• Testify before legislative committees and in other public forums.
• Educate and persuade state and local government officials.
• Work as a member of a team implementing integrated advocacy campaigns, helping with strategy, messaging, community outreach, and media relations.
• Provide strategic leadership and technical assistance to advocates and grassroots coalition partners.
• Lead community education events and trainings to enhance civil liberties awareness throughout the state.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU of Delaware at public forums, meetings and press events.
• Assist with recruiting and supervising legal fellows, law students, interns and volunteers.
• Prepare reports for the public, ACLU members, the Board of Directors, the Legal Panel, and the ACLU of Delaware staff.
• Provide administrative and organizational support as needed.
• JD with at least 5 years of experience, including litigation experience.
• Member of the Delaware Bar or admission to the Delaware Bar within one year of hire.
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills; judicial clerkship is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights and social justice.
• Experience working with vulnerable and diverse communities, such as immigrants, incarcerated people or indigent populations.
• Comfortable working under pressure and working long hours when necessary.
• Good communication skills to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Excellent organizational and case management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and creatively with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
• Spanish language skills a plus.
• A flexible, reliable, forthright, creative and energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities.
• Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor.
Please submit a detailed letter of interest, resume and writing sample (no more than five pages) in PDF format to Kathleen MacRae at [email protected]. Indicate “Staff Attorney” in the email address line. Please state in your cover letter where you found this announcement. No calls please.
All applications are treated confidentially. The position will remain open until filled.