Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, Senior Counsel, ...

ABOUT THE JOBThe ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time, term-limited position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the Capital Punishment Project of the ACLU's National office in New York, NY or Durham, NC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. The ACLU seeks an experienced attorney for a two-year term to build and file creative, systemic litigation.The Capital Punishment Project, part of the ACLU's Center for Justice, challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation, including the direct representation of capital defendants, challenges to systemic problems in the administration of capital punishment, and amicus briefing.This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). WHAT YOU'LL DOReporting to the Project Director, this position is a new role dedicated to identifying and implementing strategies to further the project's strategic goals, particularly in the face of efforts by some jurisdictions to expand the death penalty rather than employing it sparingly and judiciously. This attorney will develop and strengthen narratives and strategies for systemic litigation, state legislative campaigns, stakeholder trainings, and presentation of issues in individual clients' cases in state and federal court.YOUR DAY TO DAYIdentify strategic and creative opportunities to bring systemic litigation andor disrupt unjust practices, including in the face of proposals to expand the death penaltyParticipate in such litigation as an advisor andor counsel of recordLead public communications about the death penalty, including writing opinion pieces and giving media appearancesOrganize brainstorming and case consults with individual teams and help plan and implement trainingsDevelop andor review state repeal education strategiesEngage in special projects and other duties as assignedFUTURE ACLU'ERS WILLBe committed to advancing the mission of the ACLUCenter and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectivesBe committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflictsWHAT YOU'LL BRINGJ.D. degree and significant years of legal experienceAdmission to the state bar of the applicable national office (NY or NC) or agreement to become admitted within one year of hireWillingness to travel throughout the countryFamiliarity with capital trials andor the federal death penaltyUnderstanding of the influence of structural racism on mass incarceration and capital punishmentExperience in litigation of criminal and capital punishment law andor civil rights lawStrong writing and editing skillsDemonstrate commitment to client centered advocacyCOMPENSATIONThe ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances)0-2 years since law school graduation: $89,250-$111,4913-5 years since law school graduation: $124,873-$147,3246-10 years since law school graduation: $154,069- $173,80811-15 years since law school graduation: $177,058-$187,10816-20 years since law school graduation: $188,874-$193,73821-25 years since law school graduation: $194,719-$198,70826-30+ years since law school graduation: $199,666- $203,553The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY where are National Offices are headquartered. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. For details on our pay structure, please visit: THE ACLUFor over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it's ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policyFocus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer matchWe support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshopsOUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSIONAccessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization - one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we're in the courts or in the office, we believe 'We the People' means all of us.With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage 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, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Created: 2025-02-22