Career Development Office Blog

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Women’s Rights Project, New York, Seeks Staff Attorney

By Career Development Office on February 11th, 2014

The Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National office in New York seeks applicants for a Staff Attorney position. 

OVERVIEW:

The Women’s Rights Project is part of the ACLU’s Center for Liberty, which is dedicated to the principle that we are all entitled to determine the course of our lives based on who we are and what we believe, free from unreasonable government constraint and baseless stereotypes. The Center for Liberty encompasses the ACLU’s work on women’s rights, reproductive freedom, LGBT rights, and freedom of religion and belief.

Founded in 1972 by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Women’s Rights Project (WRP) has been a leader in the legal battles to ensure women’s full equality in American society. WRP is dedicated to the advancement of the rights and interests of women and works to implement ACLU policy in the area of gender discrimination.  WRP conducts direct litigation, files amicus curiae briefs, provides support for ACLU affiliate litigation, serves as a resource for ACLU federal and state legislative work on women’s rights, and seeks to advance ACLU policy goals through public education, communications strategies, outreach, and participation in coalitions.  WRP has been an active participant in virtually all of the major gender discrimination litigation in the Supreme Court and in significant communications and public education efforts on behalf of women and girls.

WRP focuses on women’s rights in the following priority areas: employment, education, and violence against women.  Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, WRP pushes for change and systemic reform in those institutions that perpetuate discrimination against women. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manage significant litigation in federal and state court including district 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.
• Create and implement multi-pronged strategies using litigation, public education, and legislative and policy advocacy to further the ACLU’s strategic plan on women’s rights.
• Provide assistance and advice to ACLU affiliates on litigation, legislative advocacy, and communications efforts.
• Work closely with legal and non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, and advocacy staff members.
• Engage in public speaking, including representing ACLU positions to the media and public generally.
• Develop strong co-counsel relationships with other public interest lawyers and ACLU volunteer lawyers.
• Supervise junior attorneys, fellows, student interns and other staff.
• Travel as required for litigation, policy advocacy, conferences and public speaking.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

• J.D. and a minimum of four years of litigation experience required. Applicants with more experience are also encouraged and invited to apply.
• Knowledge of legal issues involving women’s rights strongly preferred.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Capable of performing complex legal analytical work.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated creativity in crafting strategies to advance women’s rights in WRP’s priority areas. Supervisory experience preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU. 

COMPENSATION:

The ACLU offers a generous compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

HOW TO APPLY:

Individuals interested in applying should send a letter of interest, current resume, law school transcript, legal writing sample, and names and telephone numbers of three references via email. Reference [WRP-08/ACLU-W] in the subject line. Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to the Women’s Rights Project posting. In order to ensure your application is received, please make certain it is sent to the correct e-mail address. You can expect to receive an automatic response that acknowledges the submission of application materials.

Applications can also be mailed to:

Please indicate where you learned of this career opportunity. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.