Staff Attorney

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is seeking to place a passionate and effective staff attorney or senior staff attorney in its Houston or Dallas office in to combat the most pressing civil rights and liberties issues affecting communities across the State.

Overview

The ACLU is the nation’s foremost defender of civil liberties and civil rights, dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights and advocating for marginalized communities through litigation, legislation, and public education.  The ACLU of Texas, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Houston, is the one of the largest ACLU affiliates in the nation.  The ACLU of Texas has regional offices in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, and El Paso. 

Whether it’s protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees, ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, combatting voter suppression, or preserving reproductive rights, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil rights and liberties cases to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

Attorneys at the ACLU of Texas play a critical leadership role in advancing the ACLU’s mission to uphold constitutional rights by developing and managing impact litigation and engaging in integrated advocacy. Attorneys work collaboratively with ACLU National legal projects, the ACLU Border Rights Center, and the ACLU of Texas’s communications, policy, development, and engagement departments. Attorneys also play an important role on community outreach and education.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Identify and develop new litigation and other legal advocacy projects by conducting factual and legal analysis and devising or employing relevant theories and materials to achieve strategic goals.
• Litigate civil rights and civil liberties cases at all stages.
• Engage in pre-litigation and non-litigation advocacy, including preparing demand letters, settlement negotiations, advocacy materials, public testimony, and public education resources. 
• Work closely with and provide policy analysis and legal expertise to non-legal program staff at the ACLU of Texas, ACLU Border Rights Center, and ACLU National.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, and affected communities.
• Prepare and deliver “know your rights” information to affected communities.
• Respond to the legal needs of affected communities, potentially on an emergency and immediate basis.
• Participate in legal and advocacy conferences and develop and provide CLE on pertinent topics.
• Communicate ACLU views and positions to a variety of audiences, including judges, community residents, and policymakers, through public speaking, traditional and social media, and other means. 

Qualifications

• Staff Attorney:  JD with at least five years of federal district court and appellate litigation experience preferred.  Responsibilities will be adjusted based on experience. 
• Senior Staff Attorney:  JD with at least 10 years of federal district court and appellate litigation experience preferred.  Responsibilities will be adjusted based on experience. 
• Broad substantive knowledge of constitutional law and a strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights.
• Exceptional analytic, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in fast-paced environment with keen ability to simultaneously work on and manage multiple projects and deadlines and set priorities.
• Enthusiasm, patience, and cultural competence to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, organizers, other staff members, and with diverse community organizations and coalitions.
• Experience working and communicating with marginalized or vulnerable communities.
• Personal enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and clients.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work extended hours, including nights and weekends, as needed.
• Member of the State Bar of Texas.

Compensation

Salary range is comparable to other public interest law firms in the area, with excellent benefits.

To Apply

Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and names and contact information of three professional references by email to [email protected], with a copy to Christopher Clay, [email protected] , and include “Houston Staff Attorney” or “Dallas Staff Attorney” in the subject line.

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 of Texas reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU of Texas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Texas 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, or veteran status.

The ACLU of Texas undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.