Ascend Justice
Staff Attorney - ACLU of Illinois
Ascend Justice, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Share this page to social media channelsACLU of Illinois150 N. Michigan Ave.Suite 600Chicago ,
IL
60601United StatesThe Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois (ACLU-IL) seeks a Staff Attorney to engage in litigation and, in collaboration with other Departments, non-litigation advocacy to promote transformational change across our substantive program areas as described below.About the JobThe ACLU of Illinois works to advance civil liberties throughout Illinois. Our work includes fighting institutional and structural racism that undermines civil rights and civil liberties, including in the criminal and civil legal systems and immigration; protecting democracy by advancing First Amendment rights, government transparency, and voting rights; promoting the rights of women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, including the right to reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, and gender-affirming care; and fighting to enforce the rights of people in government care, including children in foster care and people in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities.Job DescriptionThe Staff Attorney is a highly collaborative team player who works in tandem with colleagues across our organization to advance our goals. The Staff Attorney litigates cases in state and federal court. In addition, they work closely with colleagues in our Advocacy, Communications, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments to promote change through legislative initiatives, advocacy with government officials, and public education.A core priority of our work is to use systemic impact litigation and advocacy strategies to advance the rights of persons affected by the criminal legal system. This includes work to advance transformational change in the way police interact with communities of color, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.The person hired for this position will be expected to begin by concentrating their work primarily in our Criminal Legal System & Policing Project, but they also may be assigned cases in our other projects, and the focus of their work may in time expand and change to meet the needs of the ACLU-IL.ResponsibilitiesThe job responsibilities of a Staff Attorney include, but are not limited to, the following:Conduct effective and efficient legal research and prepare sound written analysis on novel and/or complex legal issues in emergency and non-emergency situations.Produce polished and near-final quality written work (e.g., discovery, pleadings, briefs, and correspondence in litigation and non-litigation settings) with minimal supervision.Handle appearances at administrative proceedings and in court at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts.Assist in development of high-impact cases, including by researching systemic practices, obtaining and analyzing public records, working with coalition partners, and learning from directly impacted people.Investigate, develop, and advance, in coordination with other Departments, non-litigation strategies for advancing civil rights and civil liberties such as policy reform and legislative campaigns, public education, and fundraising initiatives.Develop and maintain trusting, respectful, and collaborative relationships with clients, impacted individuals, issue experts, and community-based and allied organizations, stakeholders, coalitions, communities affected by our work, and ACLU-IL members.Serve as an ACLU-IL spokesperson with the media and external partners on identified issues.Assist with other organizational responsibilities, such as by serving as a member of the team that recruits and supervises legal interns.Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned to advance the work of the Legal Department and the ACLU-IL.Job Application StatementThe ACLU-IL is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage 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, criminal record, or veteran status.The ACLU-IL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email
jobs@aclu-il.org
. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.How to ApplyApplicants should provide:A resume.A cover letter summarizing why you are interested in working with the ACLU-IL on efforts to help protect the rights of people involved in the criminal legal system.A legal writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others, such as a legal memorandum or a draft section of a legal brief.Applications are due by September 30, 2024 and will be considered on a rolling basis.Qualifications
This is a full-time position. All applicants must:Have a J.D. and be admitted to practice in Illinois, be eligible to waive into the Illinois bar, or be willing to take the Illinois bar exam no later than February 2025.Have at least 5 years of litigation experience in state court, federal court, and/or in state or federal administrative proceedings. Experience should include a broad range of responsibilities, such as drafting pleadings, motions, and related memoranda of law; preparing and responding to discovery; and expert discovery and development of expert opinions. Experience in appellate briefing and conducting evidentiary proceedings is highly valued but not essential.Have demonstrated ability to speak clearly, persuasively, and effectively with individuals and organizations from a broad and diverse range of identities, interests, and backgrounds in non-legal and legal settings.Have demonstrated ability to take initiative, multi-task, identify priorities amidst competing demands, and complete projects with strong problem-solving skills.Have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to recognizing and valuing all individuals in the workplace and respecting differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstances, and other factors.Be willing and available to travel throughout Illinois and to work beyond the normal workday and /or on weekends when needed.Compensation and benefits
Salary for a full-time hire will be in accordance with the ACLU-IL salary scale and commensurate with experience. As an example, the annual salary for a full-time attorney with 5 years of legal experience is $72,500. For more experienced attorneys, salary is higher depending on additional years of legal experience.Benefits include 20 days of paid vacation (pro-rated the first year); 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents; a 403(b)-retirement benefits plan; life insurance; and long-term disability insurance.The Staff Attorney is an exempt union position that is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers / United Auto Workers Local 2320. ACLU-IL staff are based in Chicago, IL and are currently working on a hybrid in-office / remote work schedule. Staff members will be expected to work in our Chicago office on in-office days.
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IL
60601United StatesThe Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois (ACLU-IL) seeks a Staff Attorney to engage in litigation and, in collaboration with other Departments, non-litigation advocacy to promote transformational change across our substantive program areas as described below.About the JobThe ACLU of Illinois works to advance civil liberties throughout Illinois. Our work includes fighting institutional and structural racism that undermines civil rights and civil liberties, including in the criminal and civil legal systems and immigration; protecting democracy by advancing First Amendment rights, government transparency, and voting rights; promoting the rights of women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, including the right to reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, and gender-affirming care; and fighting to enforce the rights of people in government care, including children in foster care and people in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities.Job DescriptionThe Staff Attorney is a highly collaborative team player who works in tandem with colleagues across our organization to advance our goals. The Staff Attorney litigates cases in state and federal court. In addition, they work closely with colleagues in our Advocacy, Communications, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments to promote change through legislative initiatives, advocacy with government officials, and public education.A core priority of our work is to use systemic impact litigation and advocacy strategies to advance the rights of persons affected by the criminal legal system. This includes work to advance transformational change in the way police interact with communities of color, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.The person hired for this position will be expected to begin by concentrating their work primarily in our Criminal Legal System & Policing Project, but they also may be assigned cases in our other projects, and the focus of their work may in time expand and change to meet the needs of the ACLU-IL.ResponsibilitiesThe job responsibilities of a Staff Attorney include, but are not limited to, the following:Conduct effective and efficient legal research and prepare sound written analysis on novel and/or complex legal issues in emergency and non-emergency situations.Produce polished and near-final quality written work (e.g., discovery, pleadings, briefs, and correspondence in litigation and non-litigation settings) with minimal supervision.Handle appearances at administrative proceedings and in court at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts.Assist in development of high-impact cases, including by researching systemic practices, obtaining and analyzing public records, working with coalition partners, and learning from directly impacted people.Investigate, develop, and advance, in coordination with other Departments, non-litigation strategies for advancing civil rights and civil liberties such as policy reform and legislative campaigns, public education, and fundraising initiatives.Develop and maintain trusting, respectful, and collaborative relationships with clients, impacted individuals, issue experts, and community-based and allied organizations, stakeholders, coalitions, communities affected by our work, and ACLU-IL members.Serve as an ACLU-IL spokesperson with the media and external partners on identified issues.Assist with other organizational responsibilities, such as by serving as a member of the team that recruits and supervises legal interns.Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned to advance the work of the Legal Department and the ACLU-IL.Job Application StatementThe ACLU-IL is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage 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, criminal record, or veteran status.The ACLU-IL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email
jobs@aclu-il.org
. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.How to ApplyApplicants should provide:A resume.A cover letter summarizing why you are interested in working with the ACLU-IL on efforts to help protect the rights of people involved in the criminal legal system.A legal writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others, such as a legal memorandum or a draft section of a legal brief.Applications are due by September 30, 2024 and will be considered on a rolling basis.Qualifications
This is a full-time position. All applicants must:Have a J.D. and be admitted to practice in Illinois, be eligible to waive into the Illinois bar, or be willing to take the Illinois bar exam no later than February 2025.Have at least 5 years of litigation experience in state court, federal court, and/or in state or federal administrative proceedings. Experience should include a broad range of responsibilities, such as drafting pleadings, motions, and related memoranda of law; preparing and responding to discovery; and expert discovery and development of expert opinions. Experience in appellate briefing and conducting evidentiary proceedings is highly valued but not essential.Have demonstrated ability to speak clearly, persuasively, and effectively with individuals and organizations from a broad and diverse range of identities, interests, and backgrounds in non-legal and legal settings.Have demonstrated ability to take initiative, multi-task, identify priorities amidst competing demands, and complete projects with strong problem-solving skills.Have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to recognizing and valuing all individuals in the workplace and respecting differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstances, and other factors.Be willing and available to travel throughout Illinois and to work beyond the normal workday and /or on weekends when needed.Compensation and benefits
Salary for a full-time hire will be in accordance with the ACLU-IL salary scale and commensurate with experience. As an example, the annual salary for a full-time attorney with 5 years of legal experience is $72,500. For more experienced attorneys, salary is higher depending on additional years of legal experience.Benefits include 20 days of paid vacation (pro-rated the first year); 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents; a 403(b)-retirement benefits plan; life insurance; and long-term disability insurance.The Staff Attorney is an exempt union position that is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers / United Auto Workers Local 2320. ACLU-IL staff are based in Chicago, IL and are currently working on a hybrid in-office / remote work schedule. Staff members will be expected to work in our Chicago office on in-office days.
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