May 10, 2023

As of July 13, 2023, this position has been filled.

 

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Colorado seeks a dynamic, skilled, mission-driven applicant for a full-time Staff Attorney position. The Staff Attorney will work under the direction of the Legal Director to conduct strategic litigation and collaborate across departments on major issue-area campaigns through integrated advocacy.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties. ACLU of Colorado is an affiliate of the national ACLU, and it is the state’s guardian of freedom, working in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities across the state to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all. Founded in 1952, ACLU of Colorado is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equal justice under the law for all Coloradans. For more information about the work of the ACLU of Colorado and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit our website at www.aclu-co.org.

Commitment To Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion  

ACLU of Colorado is an equitable opportunity employer. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all community members can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified persons, including people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups. 

ACLU of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment that practices equitable and inclusive treatment and is quick to act to prevent and address harassment or discrimination of any kind.   

Primary Responsibilities: 

  • Craft cutting-edge legal cases by selecting issues appropriate for litigation, conducting factual and legal research, interviewing potential clients and witnesses, and identifying and developing legal theories through substantive legal research and writing
  • Present selected potential cases to the ACLU Legal Panel for evaluation 
  • Draft legal memoranda, demand letters, and advocacy letters 
  • Litigate ACLU cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts; participate and potentially exercise leadership roles in all aspects of discovery, motion practice, trials, evidentiary hearings, and appeals; draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents
  • Coordinate and work with ACLU volunteer cooperating attorneys  
  • Supervise and mentor law student interns and volunteers
  • Review and investigate selected requests for legal assistance  
  • Develop and maintain relationships with legal staff at National ACLU, its projects, and other ACLU affiliates 
  • Provide support and work with ACLU staff in our Communications, Development, and Advocacy and Strategic Alliances departments, in furtherance of our integrated advocacy model, which combines legal advocacy, public communications, and policy advocacy for maximum impact 
  • Serve as ACLU spokesperson in public speaking events and with the press
  • Serve on interdepartmental committees dedicated to a variety of different subject areas including diversity, equity and inclusion, smart justice, privacy and liberty, and systemic equality

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

  • Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Membership in the Colorado bar or ability to secure membership in the Colorado bar within one year of employment   
  • Substantive experience and knowledge of constitutional law and in-depth understanding of a wide range of civil liberties and civil rights issues
  • Strong demonstrated commitment to public interest law and the mission of the ACLU of Colorado
  • Excellent demonstrated writing skills, both for legal and non-legal audiences 
  • Extensive research and analytical skills 
  • A demonstrated commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values individuals and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance, and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and the broader community 
  • Ability to work beyond the 9 to 5 hours of the normal workday, including attending evening and weekend meetings and/or events 

Desired Qualifications  

  • Significant experience litigating complex civil cases in both trial and appellate courts 
  • Significant in-depth experience or legal expertise in a specialized area that is within the ACLU of Colorado’s mission 
  • Excellent demonstrated oral advocacy skills, with both legal and non-legal audiences 
  • Demonstrated ability to research, develop, apply, and implement novel legal theories and strategies to develop potential cases
  • Experience working and communicating with marginalized or vulnerable communities 
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate with volunteer attorneys and supervise support staff, law students, interns, and office volunteers  
  • Experience successfully mentoring or supervising interns, law students, and less experienced attorneys 
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with paralegals, legal assistants, volunteers, clients, and fellow attorneys

Work Accommodations during the COVID-19 Pandemic 

ACLU-CO has a hybrid return-to-work model that began on June 1, 2022. To make it safe to work at the office amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a mandatory vaccination policy, unless you request in writing a medical or religious exemption. The successful applicant will need to provide a copy of their current COVID vaccination card. 

Compensation

This position is full-time; the approximate salary range is $83,000 to $125,000, based on skills and years of experience and within pay scale parameters of the ACLU of Colorado.

Benefits

ACLU of Colorado offers generous benefits to full-time employees that include:

  • 100% coverage of employee’s medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer contribution to Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance, long-term disability insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Employer match up to 5.5% to 401k
  • Twelve paid holidays, two personal days, as well as vacation and healthcare leave
  • Annual Professional Development funds
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Essential Job Functions

  • Ability to remain at workstation for long periods
  • Communicate with others effectively
  • Use a computer
  • Answer and make phone calls
  • Reliable form of transportation to commute to and from the office in downtown Denver
  • Must be able to travel between multiple locations
  • Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards

To Apply 

Email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references with “ACLU-CO Staff Attorney” in the subject line to [email protected]. No phone calls, please. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning May 15, 2023, and the position will remain open until filled.

Stay informed