Senior Staff Attorney - San Francisco

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Job location
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
ACLU of Northern California
Street address: 
39 Drumm Street
City: 
San Francisco
State: 
California
ZIP: 
94111
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

We are seeking an experienced litigator, inspiring leader, successful manager, and passionate advocate for civil rights and civil liberties to develop and litigate high-impact cases and identify multi-pronged legal, policy, and community engagement strategies. The Senior Staff Attorney will also provide high quality supervision and mentorship, take a solutions-oriented approach, and exercise sound independent judgment to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. Open May 2018 until filled.

JOB DUTIES
Leading litigation & advocacy
Lead multi-pronged strategies using litigation, public education, and legislative and policy advocacy to further ACLU NorCal’s strategic plans;
Supervise the investigation, development, and litigation of high-impact cases, including discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals;
Review and respond to requests for legal assistance, in accordance with the organization’s intake procedures;
Respond to community needs as they arise, potentially on an emergency basis; and
Develop strong co-counsel relationships with other public interest lawyers and ACLU volunteer lawyers.

Staff supervision & coordination

Supervise attorneys in their litigation and non-litigation related work and professional development, and supervise department support staff in your office;
Review and consult on litigation and other legal advocacy proposals and participate in Legal-Policy Department management meetings;
Work in collaboration and coordination with other ACLU Foundations in California and our shared statewide issue teams; and
Work closely with non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, organizing, advocacy, and fundraising professionals on ACLU NorCal campaigns and activities.

Supporting policy advocacy & community outreach

Support and deepen existing and new relationships with community partners, coalitions, and stakeholders;
Ensure appropriate communication and coordination between ACLU NorCal and other ACLU offices on state-wide and federal litigation and advocacy.
Engage in community outreach and public speaking, including representing the ACLU NorCal’s positions to the media and public generally; and
Use cultural sensitivity and awareness to develop appropriate and effective strategies to address the needs and advance the rights of vulnerable communities.

Requirements: 

Qualifications

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and 10 or more years of litigation experience in state and federal court;
Exceptional legal research, analysis, and writing abilities, and ability to develop novel and successful litigation and non-litigation advocacy in response to serious problems facing communities;
Familiarity and ease with the legal doctrines and structures that apply to constitutional and civil rights litigation;
Strong oral advocacy skills, including significant experience with oral argument and examining witnesses under oath, as well as communicating effectively with the public and policymakers;
Ability to manage fact and expert discovery in fact-intensive litigation;
Experience supervising and mentoring attorneys, law fellows, and support staff;
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a complex organizational ecosystem;
Flexibility for travel within the Bay Area and to the Central Valley, and ability to work long hours when needed; and
Membership in the California State Bar (or must pass the next California Bar Examination if currently member of another state bar).
Criminal justice background and multiple language abilities preferred.

To apply: 

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Applications must include (1) a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and the ways in which you satisfy the qualifications specified above, (2) resume, (3) writing sample (no more than 10 pages) that indicates whether it is entirely your work or was edited by others (and if so, in what respect) and (4) a list of four references. Applicants concurrently applying to any other position with the ACLU should state what other position they are applying for in the cover letter.

Please submit your application in PDF format to the attention of Senior Staff Attorney SF Search to: https://aclunc.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0f9uz/

Notes: 
The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU-NC strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive and free from discrimination.
Salary range: 
$111,000 to $131,000 annually