ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel in the Reproductive Freedom Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

The ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project envisions a world that respects and supports each of us in making deeply personal decisions that determine the shape of our lives: with whom to form intimate relationships, and whether, when, and how to have children. In the world we see, we can all get the health care and other resources necessary to have a child, to prevent pregnancy, or to have an abortion—regardless of where we live, our income, race, age, gender identity, immigration status or whom we love.

For five decades, the ACLU has been a leader in the efforts to ensure that every person has access to affordable and stigma-free abortion care. Since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, the ACLU has brought dozens of lawsuits seeking to preserve and expand access to abortion. Current cases include challenges to abortion bans in states like Arizona, Georgia, and Missouri, challenges to policies that seek to prevent people from traveling to get an abortion, and cases using new state constitutional amendments to strike restrictions and expand access. The ACLU is also a leader on efforts to preserve and expand access to medication abortion, having brought the case that led to the FDA lifting rules that prevented people from receiving their medication through the mail.

In the current environment, the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project is preparing to challenge new efforts by the Trump Administration to restrict access to abortion, including efforts to restrict access to medication abortion, misapply federal laws to shut down abortion care, or to decimate our nation’s family planning program.

The Reproductive Freedom Project’s work extends beyond abortion and contraception. For example, the ACLU is currently litigating a case in Alabama – a state with woefully insufficient maternity care and appallingly high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality – which enabled the first free standing birth center to obtain a license and begin serving patients.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Project Director or Deputy Project Director, the Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will be responsible for creating and implementing multi-pronged strategies using litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, and public education to further the ACLU’s strategic goals to protect and advance reproductive rights.

YOUR DAY TO DAY Litigate in federal and state courts, including research, developing claims, writing pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery and depositions, handling hearings and trials, and arguing motions and appeals Work with ACLU political advocacy and state affiliate staff on bills in state legislatures and in Congress and on regulatory matters Advise abortion providers and others about compliance with abortion restrictions Engage in public speaking with the media, at conferences, and on panels Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials Provide support to ACLU affiliates on reproductive rights matters Develop strong relationships with abortion providers, partner organizations, and ACLU affiliates Work closely with legal and non-legal program staff, particularly legislative, communications, advocacy, fundraising, and support professionals Travel as required for litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, conferences, and public speaking Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL  Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU 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 Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts WHAT YOU'LL BRING J.D. degree and admission to practice in one state is required Significant litigation experience Demonstrated capacity to perform complex legal analytical work Excellent research skills Demonstrated ability to write and to speak clearly and persuasively Applicants should be self-starters, be diligent, and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people and to perform under pressure PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience with constitutional issues and/or administrative law is preferred Familiarity with reproductive health, rights, and justice issues is preferred, commitment to those issues is essential COMPENSATION

The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances)

0-2 years since law school graduation: $89,250-$111,491 3-5 years since law school graduation: $124,873-$147,324 6-10 years since law school graduation: $154,069- $173,808 11-15 years since law school graduation: $177,058-$187,108 16-20 years since law school graduation: $188,874-$193,738 21-25 years since law school graduation: $194,719-$198,708 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $199,666- $203,553

The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY where are National Offices are headquartered. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.  

For details on our pay structure, please visit: https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment) Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly 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, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.