ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties - Managing ...

Company IntroThe ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLUF-SDIC) seeks a Managing Legal Director.The ACLUF-SDIC is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) civil liberties and civil rights organization working to advance equality, freedom and justice through public education and litigation. Together with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that does our legislative lobbying work, we are a prominent force for the protection and expansion of fundamental rights in California's second-most populous county (San Diego) and the county with the highest per capita Latina/o population (Imperial).While there are more than 50 ACLU affiliates nationwide, our work covers the length of California's border with Mexico. We work collaboratively with the National ACLU and with ACLU affiliates in California, on the U.S-Mexico border and throughout the United States. In addition, we value partnerships and collaboration with community organizations and groups across the state and throughout the binational border region.The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties and ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (known collectively as ACLU-SDIC) have a proven track record of success combining impact litigation, policy advocacy, legislation, research and analysis, public education, strategic communications and community organizing to achieve meaningful social change. We are dedicated to confronting issues that threaten our most cherished civil rights and freedoms and defending the progress the ACLU has made over its 100-year history.Deciding to apply for any position is an investment of your time and energy. We are providing the detail below to help you decide if exploring this opportunity feels right to you.Job Description/DutiesPosition Summary:The Managing Legal Director will provide vision, direction, and support for the ACLUF-SDIC's litigation program. Reporting to the Advocacy and Legal Director, the Managing Legal Director will lead and expand the ACLU-SDIC's litigation program, including developing and litigating high-impact cases and managing the department. The Managing Legal Director will be responsible for executing the overall legal strategy as part of a robust integrated advocacy approach to advance the ACLU-SDIC's mission, and oversee the management and coordination of our docket, litigation staff, and network of cooperating attorneys.As a critical member of the organization's Senior Leadership Team, the Managing Legal Director will provide strategic leadership aligning with our organization priorities on both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy strategies in our priority areas of criminal justice, immigrants' rights, racial and economic justice, as well as other civil rights and liberties issues.Primary Duties and Responsibilities:Manage all aspects of the ACLU-SDIC's litigation program, including working in concert with the Advocacy and Legal Director and issue teams in determining when litigation is appropriate to support desired legislative and policy outcomes and for addressing community concerns; working with litigation staff to develop and pursue litigation strategies; overseeing the legal intake process; implementing efficient systems and processes; overseeing the investigation and development of cases before commencing litigation; and building litigation teams with ACLU-SDIC lawyers, cooperating counsel, and nonprofit partners.Apply an integrated advocacy approach by collaborating and leveraging internal functions with the Communications, Organizing, and Philanthropy departments, as well as the affiliate's Imperial Valley regional office, to advance the ACLU-SDIC's strategic priorities.Serve as a resource on legal matters pertaining to civil rights and civil liberties for staff, partners, and other ACLU-SDIC constituents.Be a thought-partner and active, contributing member of the Senior Leadership Team.Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation, including overseeing and directing pre-litigation investigations, discovery, motion practice, brief writing, hearings and trials, appellate work, and amicus briefs.Supervise litigation by staff attorneys and cooperating attorneys as they engage in complex litigation in Federal and State court.Cultivate and deepen relationships with volunteer attorneys and the legal community in San Diego and Imperial Counties to increase legal capacity in the region.Be an active contributor and leader in the nationwide ACLU legal community.Provide direct supervision and support for litigation staff, including conducting staff evaluations and supporting the development and implementation of work plans.Engage in public speaking, articulating the ACLU's views to the media and the public on a broad range of issues.Develop and manage the Litigation Department budget, including the proper allocation and expenditure of resources.Job CriteriaOur Must Haves:Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties and client-centered advocacy consistent with the mission and goals of ACLU-SDIC.Minimum of 10 years' legal experience, including substantial state and/or federal litigation at trial court and appellate levels, including class actions.Management experience that includes recruiting, training, managing, and retaining a diverse, high-performing litigation team.Admission to the California bar (or licensed in another state and qualified to apply for admission in California within 6 months).Desired Skills and Experience:Demonstrated record of moving legal cases forward from investigation and development to completion.Excellent communication, media, presentation, written, and analytical skills.Experience working with volunteers and non-profit organizations.Experience representing and working with activists and grassroots organizations.Excellent organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving.Goal-oriented and project-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization.Values and has experience working collaboratively and respectfully with teams.Cultural Competencies:Demonstrated awareness of one's own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms.Physical Requirements:While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to exchange accurate information, detect/identify documents and the information contained in them.Travel Requirements:Must be able to travel for court hearings and conferences as needed.Salary Range/Hourly Rate:$120,000 - $155,000Other Benefits and Perks:Excellent benefits include four weeks paid vacation; 17 office holidays; 100% medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their families; life and long-term disability insurance; gender affirming care, flexible spending accounts, EAP support, and 401(k) plan with employer match and immediate vesting of the employer match.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-03-05