Position Overview

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska seeks a Senior Staff Attorney to serve as our lead civil rights and liberties litigator—managing their own caseload, supporting the work of other affiliate attorneys, and partnering with outside counsel—in our ongoing effort to protect and expand the civil liberties and civil rights of all Alaskans. We pursue our work via an integrated advocacy model: coordinating among our legal, policy, communications, and community engagement teams.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duty of the Senior Staff Attorney will be to ensure that the ACLU of Alaska develops and delivers work of the highest quality in state and federal court, in cases chosen for the prospect of advancing the rights of all Alaskans.

• Represent the ACLU of Alaska and its clients in all aspects of complex impact litigation, including factual and legal research, client relationship building, discovery, motion practice, trials, appeals, and amicus work;
• Litigate in state and federal court, including acting as lead counsel, second chair, or co-counsel;
• Evaluate legal issues for potential new cases;
• Screen and work with plaintiffs;
• Collaborate with outside pro bono co-counsel; and
• Mentor other attorneys on staff, including legal fellows and summer clerks, in the art and practice of litigation.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Our integrated approach to justice requires our attorneys to support the work of the entire team, so that all staff—attorneys and non-attorneys alike—work on shared strategic priorities, with an accurate and informed understanding of relevant legal matters and their importance for our mission.

At the direction of the Legal Director, develop and implement a strategic impact litigation program to advance key civil liberties through state and federal courts, administrative tribunals, and regulatory agencies;

• Provide subject matter support and advice to the Legal and Policy Directors on state and municipal legislative matters, including supervising the work of staff attorneys who may be assigned discrete policy issues;
• Support the Legal Department’s role in affiliate strategic planning to identify current and future issue priority areas;
• Participate in regular team meetings, including teams of more than legal staff, to contribute to the affiliate’s integrated advocacy approach;
• Network and develop relationships with relevant community organizations and individual advocates; and
• Deliver “know your rights” presentations, continuing legal education courses, and other presentations in the community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience litigating complex matters in state and federal court with at least seven years of active legal practice;
• Demonstrated project management abilities;
• Proven supervision experience;
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively, collaboratively, and independently as needed;
• Passion for the ACLU of Alaska’s mission; and
• Ability to work flexibly in a hybrid in-person/work-from-home/remote environment, remaining attentive to the team’s needs regardless of setting.

Applications

The ACLU of Alaska encourages applicants with diverse personal and professional backgrounds, lived experiences, and under-represented communities to apply. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please email PDFs of your letter of interest, resume, a professional writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others, and the names and contact information of three professional references to [email protected] with the subject “Senior Staff Attorney.”

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position. Compensation includes salary between $85,000–100,000 depending on experience, and excellent benefits including health, dental, life, and disability insurance; wellness days and support; a 401(k) plan with an employer-match; and generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

This position is open until filled.

Commitment to Operational Principles and Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion

ACLU AK operates according to the following principles: We are equitable, knowing that the strength of Alaska’s justice ecosystem lies in reciprocity and relationship; We are generational, building strong, integrated systems that sustain organizational wellness and longevity; We are transparent, remaining accountable to our community, our staff, and our Constitutions; and We are place-based, rooting our work in the strengths of the communities and lands we serve.

ACLU AK is an equitable opportunity employer. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission by creating an environment where all community members can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified persons, including people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented groups.

ACLU AK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment that practices equitable and inclusive treatment. We work diligently to prevent and address harassment or discrimination of any kind