Full-Time

Legal Director

ACLU of Utah

Posted on 8/19/2024

ACLU

ACLU

1,001-5,000 employees

Defends individual rights and civil liberties

Social Impact
Legal

Compensation Overview

$120k - $130kAnnually

Mid, Senior

Salt Lake City, UT, USA

In-person attendance required for team meetings, collaboration, and litigation work.

Category
Legal
Legal & Compliance
Requirements
  • JD from an accredited law school, admission to the Utah State Bar, U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, or the ability to obtain such admissions within a reasonable time after starting the position.
  • Strong leadership skills including the ability to be a collaborative and communicative member of the Leadership Team of the ACLU of Utah affiliate and manage the performance of the Legal Department.
  • 4+ years minimum experience litigating cases, with a significant portion of that experience in a substantial or lead role (ideally from pre-suit through trial or decision on the merits and appeals).
  • Experience managing others in litigation including lawyers, paralegals, and other members of a legal team.
  • Patience, emotional intelligence, and cultural competency, including the ability to participate in, create, and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces for other people with a wide range of personal lived experiences.
  • A strong understanding of the concepts of Diversity and Inclusion in a team setting, executed in the ability to respect and value the differences in experience and belief of others.
  • Experience juggling and prioritizing many concurrent tasks at once.
  • Ability to manage a high-volume workload, pay extremely close attention to detail, adapt quickly to changing organizational priorities, and meet moving deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, problem-solve, multi-task, and work efficiently.
  • Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical ability.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to think creatively and to use non-litigation strategies to promote positive outcomes.
  • A demonstrated commitment, through previous professional, volunteer or lived experience, to civil rights and civil liberties and the mission of the ACLU of Utah.
Responsibilities
  • Manage and develop an ambitious docket that advances ACLU of Utah strategic priorities in civil rights and liberties through impact litigation and other legal advocacy.
  • Act as a lead attorney for the affiliate in actively litigating cases in state and federal courts, including conducting factual and legal research, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, and negotiating settlements.
  • Manage staff attorneys in their work on litigation, projects with other departments, and supervision of fellows, interns, and legal support staff, including paralegal and intake staff.
  • Oversee supervising staff attorney and Intake Programs Manager in their work on Intake and Utah Judicial Bypass programs, to ensure that the affiliate is responding appropriately to requests for help from the public and using such requests to advance the work of the affiliate when possible.
  • Recruit and collaborate with cooperating attorneys to expand legal efforts, including assistance in filing amicus briefs in state and federal cases of constitutional significance.
  • Convene the Legal Panel regularly and lead coordination with the Executive Director, Case Selection Committee, and Legal Department staff to screen and develop promising civil liberties litigation and non-litigation advocacy.
  • Coordinate, develop, and maintain relationships with national ACLU and other state affiliate legal staff to enhance legal strategy and advocacy efforts.
  • Collaborate with ACLU of Utah staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies that utilize legal, communications, public education, legislative, and field organizing.
  • Develop relationships with external stakeholders, including issue coalitions, allies, people in impacted communities, and other important constituencies.
  • Ensure that strategic plans for the Legal Department and specific litigation and legal advocacy projects align with the organization’s strategic priorities.
  • In coordination with the Communications Director, serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU in the media and as a public speaker.
  • Ensure the Executive Director & ACLU of Utah Board are adequately informed of work, including through regular reports to the Board.
  • In coordination with the Executive Director and Development Director, meet with donors to discuss the work of the Legal Department and other issues relevant to civil rights and individual liberties in Utah;
  • Develop and conduct staff training sessions and workshops on issues related to the Legal Department.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) focuses on defending and preserving individual rights and liberties as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It engages in legal advocacy, public education, and lobbying to protect civil rights, including freedom of speech, privacy, and equality. The ACLU serves individuals and communities, particularly marginalized groups like immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racial minorities, who face government overreach and discrimination. Unlike many organizations, the ACLU relies on donations, grants, and membership fees to fund its operations, which allows it to maintain independence and focus on its mission. The goal of the ACLU is to ensure that everyone in the United States can enjoy their civil liberties without fear of discrimination or abuse.

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$116.7K

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1920

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Increased public support due to high-profile legal battles boosts ACLU's visibility.
  • Growing privacy concerns offer opportunities for ACLU to advocate for stronger protections.
  • Cecillia Wang's appointment as Legal Director may bring fresh strategies to ACLU.

What critics are saying

  • Court ruling against net neutrality may impact ACLU's digital engagement with communities.
  • High-profile legal battles could attract political backlash affecting donor support.
  • New leadership may cause strategic shifts not aligning with all stakeholders' expectations.

What makes ACLU unique

  • ACLU has a century-long history of defending civil liberties in the U.S.
  • It serves diverse clients, including marginalized groups facing discrimination and government overreach.
  • The ACLU's funding model relies on donations, grants, and merchandise sales.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Parental Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Professional Development Budget

INACTIVE