Transgender Rights Attorney (Full-time)

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia (ACLU-VA) is growing! We are looking for an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Attorney with a deep understanding of the issues impacting the transgender and gender-nonconforming community. The ideal candidate is an experienced litigator who can support our legal team through transgender rights case selection and development while executing a wide range of impact litigation strategies. The ideal candidate thrives under pressure and is always professional, with strong analytical skills. They should also be comfortable collaborating, delegating tasks and enjoy helping others turn ideas into action. See the full job description for complete details.

Who We Are

The ACLU-VA strives to be Virginia’s premier guardian of civil liberties and a recognized champion of civil rights for all Virginians. For nearly a hundred years (52 in Virginia), the ACLU has made a profound difference in the lives of clients and community members and historic contributions to our country and state. Now, more people than ever before have turned to the ACLU to fight back against unprecedented new attacks on civil rights and liberties. We are also committed to pursuing impactful policy changes at the local and statewide levels to achieve racial equity and advance civil liberties and civil rights for everyone. The ACLU-VA is committed to ending racist policing, cutting the number of people incarcerated in Virginia, increasing access to quality mental and medical care, ending sex and gender-based discrimination at work and in schools, and securing a constitutional right to vote for everyone.

What You’ll Do

You’ll help us protect and advance the ACLU’s mission by:

• Developing and executing a wide range of federal, state, and administrative litigation, including impact litigation, complex class-action litigation, appeals, and amicus briefs;
• Participating in case selection and development, as well as all phases of litigation, including drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence; conducting discovery; taking and defending depositions; arguing motions; trying cases; handling appeals; working with experts; negotiating and monitoring settlement agreements, and pursuing attorney’s fee awards;
• Seeking out and cultivating relationships with cooperating attorneys for potential litigation and developing authentic relationships with impacted individuals and communities;
• Assisting with the overall administration of the legal program by providing input on priorities and potential legal advocacy strategies and assisting in the implementation of legal program policies, procedures, and systems
• Supporting the legislative advocacy and communications work of the affiliate by speaking at public forums, meetings, and events on civil liberties and civil rights topics affecting the transgender and gender nonconforming community; interacting with the media on such cases and topics; and serving as a resource for the communications and advocacy staff.
• And more….See the full job description here.

Who You Are

Our "Must Have’s"

• D. from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar or another state bar, provided admission to the Virginia State Bar is obtained within a reasonable time.
• Willingness and availability to work beyond the normal workday, on weekends, and more than 40 hours a week as necessary.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout Virginia and occasionally to other states for conferences and training.
• A commitment to the mission and values of the ACLU of Virginia, civil rights issues, racial justice, and an understanding that these issues are central to the overall protection of civil liberties
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, to refrain from unlawful discrimination and to comply fully with all applicable laws; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and able to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader
• Familiarity with office technology and information systems, including databases, case management software, digital legal research sources, online communications, and word processing

What Else You Should Know

The ACLU-VA is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-VA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status and commits to comply with all applicable equal opportunity and nondiscrimination laws and to refrain from unlawful discrimination.

Salary is based on market factors and individual experience and abilities. The salary range for this position is $64,008 to $96,000, with a midpoint of $80,004.  To preserve the opportunity for advancement, we do not typically hire above the mid-point of the range. In addition, we offer excellent benefits, including paid time off, generous paid holidays, a 401k plan with employer contribution, flexible spending account, paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, 50% employer-paid dependent medical coverage for eligible dependents, life insurance, annual sick leave, short-term and long-term disability insurance, professional development allowances, extended leave to include parental leave after one year of employment.

Due to COVID-19 and our desire to keep our employees safe, our organization is currently operating remotely. At this time, we have an interim remote work policy in place that will offer remote work flexibility to all staff until June 30, 2022. After that time, employees will follow the long-term remote work policy. This position will require a presence in the downtown Richmond office with some remote opportunities.

What Now?

Please review the complete job description on our Careers page and apply from our career site. A resume and cover letter will be required. Our HR team will review applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Submit your application as soon as possible. We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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