The ACLU of Washington Foundation seeks applications for the position of Legal Director for the state’s foremost civil liberties and civil rights organization. The Legal Director is responsible for overall management and direction of the legal department; its six staff members, including three attorneys; numerous interns; and an extensive network of cooperating attorneys. Ideal candidates will be highly-skilled civil liberties lawyers who have significant experience as successful managers.
The ACLU of Washington directly litigates and participates as amicus curiae in a broad range of state and federal cases, involving free speech, freedom of religion, LGBT rights, police accountability, public disclosure, drug policy reform, racial justice, women’s rights, voting rights, and privacy rights. It also advances these causes outside the courtroom.
The Legal Director reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the ACLU of Washington leadership team, along with directors of the Legislative, Communications, and Field Departments, with whom there is substantial collaboration.
The ACLU of Washington and its Foundation operate jointly as the state arm of the ACLU. The ACLU of Washington has a staff of 25 employees who, together with numerous volunteers, work in a fast-paced, professional, and friendly office. The ACLU of Washington is the sixth-largest ACLU affiliate in the nation, with more than 25,000 members. Our office is situated in downtown Seattle, near Pioneer Square, the county courthouse, and the city and county government buildings.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal program leadership. Develop and pursue a strategic vision for the legal program that advances the ACLU of Washington’s overall civil liberties and civil rights agenda. Manage the docket of about 40 cases: supervise and direct litigation, where the day-to-day case management is handled by volunteer or staff attorneys; assign cases; work with attorneys to develop litigation strategies, including strategies that use the state constitution to expand rights beyond federal law. Assume joint responsibility for litigation arising from our Drug Policy Reform Project and Technology and Liberty Project. Assure that the litigation is consistent with ACLU policy.
Case development. Research, identify, and develop potential cases and legal theories. Develop relationships with law firms, legal organizations, and other coalition partners to advance issues of mutual concern. Pursue strategies to resolve matters short of litigation. Advise the Executive Director on the selection, direction, and strategy of cases.
Personnel management. Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff. (Paid staff includes two experienced attorneys, a Skadden Arps fellow, an intake manager, and two support staff.) Ensure that legal department personnel meet ACLU’s standards of performance. Oversee recruitment, training, and mentoring of law students and interns, assign projects; assure timely completion of tasks.
Cooperating attorney program. Maintain and enhance the cooperating attorney program, in which attorneys in private practice handle ACLU cases on a volunteer basis. Design and pursue strategies to increase participation in ACLU’s legal program and in the organization overall.
Legal Committee Support and strengthen the ACLU of Washington’s Legal Committee, which meets monthly to advise the staff and Board of Directors on potential litigation. Organize its monthly meetings, preparing agendas, and memos.
Legal resource and advocacy. Provide analysis of court rulings and occasional legislative bills for senior staff. Articulate ACLU views to the public, the media, and the legal community, in coordination with, or as requested by, the Communications Director. Coordinate and collaborate with the national ACLU legal department, using it as a resource as appropriate. Take the lead in advocating certain civil liberties issues outside the courtroom.
Intake. Supervise the manager of the intake and referral unit, which screens requests for assistance, conducts initial factual research, provides information and referrals, and maintains intake records, resources, and databases.
Reporting, records management, and general duties. Prepare reports of litigation activities for the Executive Director, Legal Committee, and Board. Ensure the maintenance of accurate and easily retrievable case files, legal research, and administrative files. Attend certain ACLU events, including occasional meetings with donors. Help facilitate smooth functioning of the office, and develop a solid understanding of office protocols and culture. Accept other assignments from the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ten years of increasingly responsible legal experience, which should include substantial state and federal constitutional law experience. A sophisticated understanding of modern application of civil liberties principles.
Proven management ability, including experience in supervising attorneys and support staff, and in managing and encouraging volunteers, both students and professionals. Superior ability to plan effective strategies, to establish realistic objectives, maintain momentum, and evaluate progress. Excellent organization and time management skills to manage one’s own work as well as others, and to assure completion of assignments and projects.
A track record of successful leadership through strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building. Ability and flexibility to work in both service and leadership roles with many diverse players and constituencies. Excellent problem-solving skills and demonstrated skills in participatory decision-making. Non-profit experience is a plus.
Exceptional analytical, writing, and speaking skills. A demonstrated ability to write clearly and precisely. The ability to communicate effectively with plaintiffs, opposing counsel, staff, volunteers, and the general public. A demonstrated ability to convey difficult civil liberties issues to the general public.
A confident, business-like, approachable and professional presentation. Flexibility, determination and good humor. Commitment to the goals and mission of the ACLU.
Competence in the use of office computer applications, electronic databases, and electronic legal research. (We use Microsoft Office.)
A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
Licensed to practice law in Washington or the ability to pass the Washington state bar exam within one year. A willingness and ability to work beyond the 9 to 5 hours of the normal work day, including evening and weekend meetings and events.
How to Apply:
Please submit to the address below a letter of application and a resume. Please do not send a writing sample at this time.
Legal Director Screening Committee [LPD-T6]
ACLU of Washington Foundation
705 2nd Avenue, 3rd Fl.
Seattle, WA 98104
The ACLU of Washington and the ACLU of Washington Foundation are two corporate entities which share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. They constitute the state arm of the national ACLU. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington.”
The ACLU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.