The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Florida (ACLU-FL) invites applications for the full-time position of Staff Attorney in its Tampa, Florida office.
The ACLU-FL, the state’s largest legal and public advocacy organization, is a not-for profit, nonpartisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, public education, and communications to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional issues and individual rights, such as freedom of speech, racial justice, right to privacy, religious liberty, criminal justice reform, voting rights, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and immigrants’ rights.
The ACLU-FL is an affiliate of the national ACLU which implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU-FL. Operating out of four offices in Miami (main), Tampa, Pensacola, and Jacksonville, the Florida affiliate has a $3.5 million operating budget and 30 staff positions, placing it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.
The ACLU-FL litigates a broad range of complex constitutional cases in federal and state courts through direct representation, filing amicus briefs, and submitting administrative complaints to state and federal agencies. The staff attorney, who will be based in the ACLU’s Mid-Florida Regional Office in Tampa, will be primarily responsible for developing new cases and litigation strategies in the region, and must be able to work both independently and as part of a statewide litigation team. In addition, a part of the attorney’s time may also be devoted to public policy advocacy and to supporting the programmatic work of the Regional Office.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Litigate cases in state and federal courts, particularly in the Mid-Florida region. This includes working and co-counseling with cooperating attorneys; conducting extensive research and factual investigations; writing motions, briefs, and other court filings; court appearances; and oral arguments.
- Identify and develop new cases and new litigation strategies in the ACLU-FL’s programmatic priority areas.
- Supervise student interns and legal fellows.
- Support and promote the work of the Mid-Florida Regional Office on ACLU priority civil rights/civil liberties issues.
- Participate where appropriate on relevant task forces and coalitions.
- Work closely with the ACLU-FL’s Public Policy and Communications departments in helping to advance the ACLU’s public policy objectives.
- Assist in developing and writing advocacy materials, including blog and media materials.
- Engage in public speaking and articulate ACLU policies and programs to the public and the media on a broad range of issues.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. degree and a minimum of three years of litigation experience required. Candidates with significant experience are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities will be commensurate with experience and demonstrated skill level.
- Member of Florida Bar or admission within one year of starting position.
- Excellent analytic, legal research, factual investigation, and writing skills.
- Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, including: elected officials, attorneys, advocates, impacted communities, supporters, the media, and the general public.
- Proven project management and organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines while under pressure.
- Ability to work collaboratively and in team settings is essential.
- Ability and willingness to travel around the State, particularly in the Mid-Florida region.
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights/civil liberties issues, and the mission and goals of the ACLU.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus, but not required.
For additional information, including how to apply, please visit Symplicity Job Posting ID# 11974.
