Job Title:
Staff Attorney
Company/Organization:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire
Location:
Concord, NH
Position Details
Position Description:
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire (ACLU-NH), located in Concord, New Hampshire, seeks a self-motivated, skilled litigator committed to defending civil liberties and civil rights in the Granite State. The ACLU-NH is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that defends and protects those rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the nation’s and New Hampshire’s civil rights laws. The ACLU-NH is the state affiliate of the national ACLU, which for nearly 100 years has served as the nation’s premier guardian of the liberties that define our democracy. Together with the national ACLU, the ACLU-NH works to advance civil liberties by employing litigation, public policy advocacy, public education, organizing, communications, and social media to protect a broad range of individual rights, including freedom of speech, racial justice, privacy, voting rights, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, immigrant rights, and rights for people with disabilities.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The ACLU-NH is creating a new Staff Attorney position to ensure that the ACLU-NH has the depth of legal leadership and litigation experience it needs to advance complex impact litigation. The Staff Attorney, under the direction of the Legal Director, will litigate cases and participate in non-litigation advocacy to advance civil liberties in New Hampshire. The Staff Attorney will serve as both lead and co-counsel on a variety of civil liberties cases, and will have substantial supervisory authority over cooperating attorneys, legal interns, and volunteers. In cooperation with the Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will help set priorities and develop strategies for the organization’s legal work.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Legal:

Investigates, develops, and litigates civil liberties and civil rights cases, including conducting all aspects of factual and legal research; devises legal theory and strategy; evaluates and analyzes potential claims; identifies possible plaintiffs and defendants; interviews clients and potential witnesses; works with experts; prepares memoranda; and drafts demand letters;
Acts as lead attorney in litigating civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state courts by drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence; conducts discovery; takes and defends depositions; argues motions; conducts trials; handles appeals; works with experts; negotiates and monitors settlements; and pursues attorney fee awards;
Drafts and coordinates amicus briefs in civil liberties and civil rights cases;
Identifies opportunities for expanding the organization’s litigation and legal advocacy docket;
Seeks out and cultivates relationships with pro bono cooperating attorneys;
Monitors and oversees litigation being handled by cooperating attorneys and provides assistance when necessary; and
Manages the intake process, supervises intake database administration, and reviews intake complaints for potential action.

Advocacy/Public Education:

Drafts memoranda, reports, public education materials, and legislative materials;
Collaborates with the Legal Director, the Policy Director, the Executive Director, and other staff as requested to develop and present positions on current civil liberties issues;
Acts as a legal resource to staff handling policy advocacy, public education, and communications;
Collaborates in the development and implementation of integrated advocacy initiatives in which litigation is one advocacy tool;
Helps organize legal education training and public events on civil liberties and civil rights;
Serves as a spokesperson for the ACLU-NH on cases and issues as assigned for both the media and as a public speaker; and
Writes letters and provides public comment and testimony before state and local government and regulatory agencies on matters affecting civil liberties and civil rights.
Minimum Qualifications and Skills:
J.D. from an accredited law school. At least three years of significant litigation experience, preferably with a demonstrated ability to develop and litigate civil rights cases. Plaintiffs’ side work and/or previous experience in constitutional law litigation is a plus;
Membership in good standing of the New Hampshire State Bar or an ability to promptly gain admission to the New Hampshire State Bar;
Demonstrated ability to file and litigate cases independently and collaboratively, as well as delegate effectively;
Superior analytic, legal research, and writing skills;
Excellent public speaking skills, and demonstrated ability to write and to speak clearly and persuasively;
Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure;
Ability to travel;
Willingness to work beyond the normal work day or more than 40 hours per week where necessary; and
A commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, as well as a personal approach that respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary is based on market factors and individual experience and abilities. The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 commensurate with experience. To preserve the opportunity for advancement, we do not normally hire above the mid-point of the range. Benefits include paid vacation and holidays, sick leave, medical insurance, and 401(k) matching.

HOW TO APPLY

By May 11, 2018, please email a letter of interest, resume, two legal writing samples, and three professional references to Karen Rose at jobs@aclu-nh.org. Please indicate “Staff Attorney” in the subject line of your email. Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this job opportunity. No phone calls, please.

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-NH reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The ACLU-NH is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-NH encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Application Deadline
05/11/2018
Application Requirements
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Other
Other
Two legal writing samples, and three professional references.
Who should be contacted for further information on this opportunity?
Karen Rose
Email
jobs@aclu-nh.org
Contact Info
Name
Gilles Bissonnette
Title
Legal Director
Email
gilles@aclu-nh.org