American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi seeks an articulate Attorney with litigation experience to assist in carrying out the challenging and diverse legal activities of the organization.

The ACLU of Mississippi (ACLU-MS) is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization which uses legal, legislative and public education approaches to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional issues including individual rights and freedoms, free speech, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and more. The ACLU-MS is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation's Bill of Rights.

The ACLU-MS plays an important role in the national discussion on civil liberties and is one of the state's premier public advocacy organizations. The State of Mississippi and the ACLU-MS are regularly in the national spotlight due to the state's history as a battleground for civil rights and continuing challenges as a predominately conservative state to offer protection and freedom to progressive communities. For more information, please visit www.aclu-ms.org

Position:

Based in Jackson, MS, the Staff Attorney reports directly to the Legal Director and ultimately to the Executive Director, and plays a key role in bolstering the ACLU-MS’s visibility across the state of Mississippi.

The Staff Attorney will assist in the development and execution of an assertive legal program that includes litigation, public education, and some legislative activity which is in line with the mission of the ACLU-MS, reinforces the ACLU brand, and position the organization as the premier constitutional rights and civil liberties organization in Mississippi. The Staff Attorney will work closely with peers within the organization a legal team member on a variety of strategic initiatives to increase public awareness and appreciation of civil liberties, advocate for positive changes in the civil liberties landscape, and engage supporters in achieving our mission.

Our legal staff, consisting of a legal director, one staff attorney, and paralegal is expected to litigate complex federal and state cases raising civil liberties and civil rights issues, and engages in advocacy on a broad range of issues, including legislative work, the publication of reports, public speaking and media interviews. The office is collegial; the work is challenging, varied, and rewarding.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Assist in coordinating legal intake with the Legal Director and Paralegal and ensuring that intake is properly evaluated and processed;

Presenting cases to the Legal Director and the Executive Director for evaluation and authorization of further legal activity;

Researching civil liberties questions, and preparing legal memoranda and demand letters;

Securing the services and expanding the pool of cooperating attorneys for litigation the ACLU undertakes;

Monitoring litigation being handled by cooperating attorneys and providing back-up assistance as needed;

Participating directly in litigation in selected cases; either as co-counsel with cooperating attorneys or, when necessary, as lead counsel;

Conducting complex federal and state court civil liberties litigation, including all aspects of discovery, motion practice, briefs, trials, appellate work and amicus briefs;

Obtaining and supervising the assistance of legal interns, law students, and other legal volunteers;

Preparing necessary dockets and reports for the Legal Director and Executive Director;

Developing and maintaining relationships with the legal staff at the national ACLU, its projects and other affiliates;

Participating in national ACLU legal conferences and maintaining the requisite CLE requirements (at the ACLU of Mississippi’s expense).

At the direction of the Executive Director, the Staff Attorney will occasionally be required to:

Engage in public speaking and articulate ACLU views to the public and the media on a broad range of issues;

Write press releases, op-ed pieces, newsletter articles and appear and speak at press conferences;

Act as the organization’s counsel or co-counsel on corporate matters relevant to a not-for-profit organization;

Travel to attend local, statewide, or national meetings, and travel for litigation purposes. The position of staff Attorney requires a willingness to work beyond the 9-5 hours of the normal work day, including evening and weekend meetings and events. Work weeks in excess of 40 hours are anticipated to be common.

A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, particularly issues related to education, and support for the goals of the American Civil Liberties Union;

At least two or three years of litigation and/or policy experience

Ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and communicate them to a variety of audiences;

Ability to develop and implement non-litigation strategies;

Ability to litigate independently and under pressure;

Excellent writing and analytical skills;

Skills as an articulate public advocate (bilingual ability preferred);

Personal enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of humor; and

Flexibility for travel, including regular travel to assigned communities;

Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with diverse community organizations and coalitions; and

Membership in the Mississippi State Bar (or must pass the next Mississippi Bar Examination).