ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney in the ACLU of Wyoming, North Dakota, & South Dakota, a national Chapter of the ACLU. The role is based in our office in Jackson Hole, WY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities 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+ and Two Spirit community, advancing racial justice, 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 and civil rights cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. With more than one million members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU is a nationwide organization that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, record of arrest or conviction.

Reporting to the Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will will develop and litigate cases and participate in non-litigation advocacy to advance civil liberties and civil rights in Wyoming. This is a remarkable opportunity for a politically astute and strategic attorney who understands the value of both litigation and non-litigation advocacy. During legislative session, the staff attorney will be asked to develop legal opinions on proposed legislation and support the Advocacy Director and lobbyist in Wyoming.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in all aspects of litigation: manage and develop significant litigation in federal and state court including trial and appellate court litigation, prepare and respond to written discovery requests, take and defend depositions, engage in motion practice, write briefs, present oral arguments, and conduct trials
• Develop relationships and work with a team of cooperating attorneys, including those at other public interest organizations
• Supervise law students, interns, and volunteers
• Manage and oversee the intake process, supervise intake database administration; regularly review and handle complaint intake for potential action; strategize and execute or monitor intake-related actions
• Work closely with legal and non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, and advocacy staff members both at National ACLU and affiliate offices
• Provide legal research as needed on legislative proposals
• Represent the ACLU at hearings and meetings, public forums, task forces, workgroups and conferences when appropriate
• Engage in public speaking, including representing ACLU positions to the media and public generally in collaboration with the Communications Director
• Provide regular and timely updates and reports to the Legal Director and/or Executive Director
• Meet with individual donors to discuss the Legal Program as necessary and in conjunction with the Executive Director and Development Director

In addition to: 

• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• A J.D. degree
• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in the Wyoming Bar or eligible for admission by test or waiver within one year of hire
• Ability to think creatively and to use non-litigation strategies to promote integrated advocacy campaigns
• Skilled in managerial and administrative tasks related to litigation, including supervising volunteers and coordinating with others inside and outside the ACLU
• Ability to work with diverse clients and to develop impact litigation
• Exceptional initiative, self-starter, vision and ability to develop and implement short- and long-term integrated advocacy strategies
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and the ability to work under pressure
• A team player who works collaboratively and shares responsibility and credit
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards of legal practice
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours and travel throughout the states as needed

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• At least 5 years of litigation experience
• Demonstrated experience in constitutional or public interest law and/or federal court litigation. Extraordinary candidates with less experience may be considered

COMPENSATION

ABOUT THE ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

For 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 from government abuse and overreach.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. 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 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.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU 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, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

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 [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.