Staff Attorney Position

Location

Miami

Department

Legal

Deadline date

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is seeking to place a passionate and effective staff attorney in our Miami headquarters to combat the most pressing civil rights and liberties issues affecting communities across the state.

Overview
The ACLU of Florida, the state’s premier public advocacy organization, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education and communications to protect and promote a broad range of individual rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, voting rights, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrants’ rights.

The ACLU-FL is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights. The national ACLU implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU-FL. Operating out of offices in Jacksonville, Miami (main), Pensacola, and Tampa, the Florida affiliate has a $5.5M operating budget and 35 staff positions, placing it among the larger affiliates in the nation.

Whether it’s protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees, ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ community, combatting voter suppression, or preserving reproductive rights, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil rights and liberties cases to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

Attorneys at the ACLU of Florida play a critical leadership role in advancing the ACLU’s mission to uphold constitutional rights by developing and managing impact litigation and engaging in integrated advocacy. Attorneys work collaboratively with ACLU National legal projects and the ACLU of Florida’s communications, policy/legislative -advocacy, and development departments. Attorneys also play an important role on community outreach and education.

Responsibilities & Expectations
⦁    Identify and develop new litigation and other legal advocacy projects by conducting factual and legal analysis and devising or employing relevant theories and materials to achieve strategic goals.
⦁    Litigate civil rights and civil liberties cases at all stages.
⦁    Engage in pre-litigation and non-litigation advocacy, including preparing demand letters, settlement negotiations, advocacy materials, public testimony, and public education resources.
⦁    Work closely with and provide policy analysis and legal expertise to non-legal program staff at the ACLU of Florida and ACLU National.
⦁    Develop and strengthen relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, and affected communities.
⦁    Prepare and deliver “know your rights” information to affected communities.
⦁    Respond to the legal needs of affected communities, potentially on an emergency and immediate basis.
⦁    Participate in legal and advocacy conferences and develop and provide CLE on pertinent topics.
⦁    Communicate ACLU views and positions to a variety of audiences, including judges, community residents, and policymakers, through public speaking, traditional and social media, and other means.

Qualifications
While no one person will embody all the qualities enumerated below, the successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and attributes:
⦁    Possess a JD, with at least five years of federal district court and appellate litigation experience preferred. Responsibilities will be adjusted based on experience.
⦁    Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU.
⦁    Broad substantive knowledge of constitutional law and a strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights.
⦁    Exceptional analytic, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
⦁    Demonstrated experience working in fast-paced environment with keen ability to simultaneously work on and manage multiple projects and deadlines and set priorities.
⦁    Enthusiasm, patience, and cultural competence to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, organizers, and other staff members, as well as with diverse community organizations and coalitions.
⦁    Experience working and communicating with marginalized or vulnerable communities.
⦁    Personal enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of humor.
⦁    Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and clients.
⦁    A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
⦁    Ability and willingness to travel and work extended hours, including nights and weekends, as needed.
⦁    Member of the State Bar of Florida (or membership within one year after employment).

Compensation
Salary is commensurate with similarly-situated nonprofit advocacy organizations, based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include health and dental insurance, a defined contribution retirement plan, and generous vacation, holiday and medical leave policies.

Application Procedure
To apply, send a letter of application, resume and two writing samples via email to jobs@aclufl.org including in the subject line: “Staff Attorney Position.” In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of this posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

The ACLU of Florida undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. Fluency in Spanish or Creole is desired, but not required.