What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at ACLU of Washington?

Job Description

Staff Attorney

Position Open Until Filled

First Review of Applicants Scheduled for February 3, 2025

The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU-WA) is seeking an experienced attorney to build, file, and litigate complex civil actions in state and federal courts to protect and advance civil liberties for all Washingtonians, work that is important now more than ever.

This attorney position will give us the capacity to push forward our affirmative agenda as well as engage in fast-moving, defensive battles against attacks on civil liberties and civil rights.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES :

Participation in ACLU-WA’s race equity work. This may include utilizing ACLU-WA race equity tools, adopting ACLU-WA race equity practices, etc.
The staff attorney will be responsible for investigating, filing, and litigating civil liberties and civil rights cases in both federal and state courts. This includes legal research, investigative work, identifying and signing up named plaintiffs, complaint drafting, discovery and motion practice, and handling trials and appeals, as well as participating in work on amicus briefs.
The staff attorney will be responsible for maintaining an active docket of their own cases, sometimes with assistance from outside cooperating attorneys, other staff attorneys and the Legal Director. The staff attorney will also, supervise interns and fellows in the department as applicable and needed.
The staff attorney will also engage in advocacy, coordinate with the various policy-focused attorneys and other staff in the office, provide legal analysis to advance other ACLU-WA policy work, and conduct community outreach as needed. Along with other staff members, the staff attorney will represent the ACLU-WA publicly, speaking to the media and others, as assigned.
Travel, as well as some work on nights and weekends, may be necessary. Along with all employees, the staff attorney is expected to help maintain a positive, respectful, and welcoming work environment for employees and volunteers.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS :

We know that no attorney can specialize in everything. At the ACLU-WA, we work with staff to develop skills and support each other’s work. If the position sounds like a good fit, please do not let fear of not having every qualification deter you from applying.

1 year or more of legal experience. Previous experience such as Plaintiffs’ side work, constitutional law litigation, trial experience, and experience litigating in Washington is a plus. Please describe your legal experience in your cover letter.

Must have excellent problem-solving skills; ability to juggle multiple on-going projects and exercise good judgment under stressful situations; and ability to affirmatively advocate for expanded civil rights and civil liberties of Washingtonians.

Must also have superior writing, research and verbal skills in presenting both to lawyers and to the non-lawyer public; leadership and organizational skills in order to encourage volunteer lawyers and work cooperatively in coalitions on complicated cases; the ability to take initiative, think strategically, take responsibility and share credit.

Must have an awareness of, and willingness to engage in, the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias. Must have ability to work with and have work driven or directed by communities impacted by systems of oppression; established relationships with Washington communities preferred.

Must be a member of the Washington State Bar or be eligible to be admitted by motion.

FUTURE WA ACLU'ERS WILL :

Be committed to advancing the mission, vision, and values of the ACLU-WA.

Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives; and

Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.

LOCATION : Seattle, Washington

CLASSIFICATION : This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act and approved at (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE).

WORKING CONDITIONS : The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle.

MENTAL DEMAND : Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle.

The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Able to input information into a computer for long periods of time.

Able to assess information communicated through a computer.

Able to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Able to periodically work long and extended hours.

Able to travel locally / regionally / across the state as needed.

TOTAL COMPENSATION : The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties and build a state where all people live with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. We provide a mix of compensation for staff that is intended to address today’s needs and allow planning for tomorrow and into retirement. As such, the ACLU-WA has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees.

The salary for this position is $129,086 – $154,612. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.

BENEFITS : Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, thirteen sick days with an additional ten days given in 2025, fifteen paid holidays, employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, an employer contributed retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.

ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone. This position is eligible for either a work phone or phone stipend, as well as an additional $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE : To apply, please submit a cover letter, writing sample, résumé and three references on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite you to include in your cover letter information about how your background and / or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.

HIRING TIMELINE : This position is open until filled with the first review of candidates scheduled for 2 / 3 / 2025. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.

REFERENCES : Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment before conducting reference checks.

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, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

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Salary : $154,612

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