Deputy Legal Director

ACLU of New Jersey; Newark (NJ); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks a strategic, collaborative Deputy Legal Director to co-lead the legal department in Newark with a hybrid schedule. The Deputy Legal Director will design and litigate high-impact civil rights matters, supervise attorneys and staff, and help shape strategic plans that grow ACLU-NJ’s advocacy and impact across New Jersey.

Reporting to the Legal Director, you will manage internal systems, engage with partners, and represent the

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience as a full-time litigator with civil rights/constitutional law.
• NJ bar admission or eligible within 12 months of employment.
• Excellence in supervising legal work and leading case teams.
• Strong legal writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel within New Jersey and to conferences.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead or supervise a wide range of federal and state litigation, including complex, class-action, and administrative matters.
• Develop legal strategy aligned with ACLU-NJ priorities and expand the litigation docket.
• Develop and manage co-counsel relationships and partnerships with firms and law schools.
• Supervise attorneys and staff; improve internal systems and best practices.
• Collaborate with political advocacy and communications to support campaigns.
• Represent ACLU-NJ in public forums and with the media as needed.

Skills

Litigation

Civil rights

Supervision

Strategic planning

Legal writing

Public speaking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Bar admission in New Jersey or eligible within 12 months

Job description

DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven lawyer to become its next Deputy Legal Director. Working alongside and reporting to the Legal Director, the Deputy Legal Director will co‑lead the legal department, design and litigate high‑impact litigation, and help develop and execute strategic plans for the growth of ACLU‑NJ’s legal advocacy. This position will be supervised by the Legal Director and will be based in Newark with a hybrid work schedule where we work in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Organizational Overview

For more than 60 years, the ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We are committed to repairing and transforming spaces where constitutional promises have not been delivered.

As part of an organization that uses an integrated, inter‑departmental approach to advocacy, the Deputy Legal Director plays a critical role in supervising a growing legal team that uses litigation and a wide range of advocacy tools to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties. In addition, The Deputy Legal Director will have primary responsibility for managing and supporting internal systems that support the work of the legal department

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership, Management, & Administration

• Fulfill the duties of the Legal Director in their absence.
• Collaborate with the Legal Director and supervision team on strategic decisions and share responsibility for implementing them.
• Assume significant responsibility for the management of the legal department, including supervision of attorneys and other staff, and for the development, improvement, and implementation of internal systems and best practices.
• Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, ACLU‑NJ staff and colleagues from other ACLU offices.
• Assist and/or lead in the hiring, development, mentoring, and supervision of attorneys, legal administrative staff, and interns.
• Supervises the Legal Department Manager and supports the smooth operation and administration of the Legal Department.
• Contribute to a work culture that centers racial justice, inclusion, participation, and collaboration
• Engage in special projects and other duties assigned.

Legal

• Lead or supervise a wide range of federal and state litigation, including complex, class‑action, and administrative matters.
• Investigate, develop, and litigate civil liberties and civil rights cases, serving as lead attorney and/or co‑counsel with external partners. This includes being responsible for conducting factual and legal research; evaluating legal theory and strategy; identifying, interviewing, and counseling clients and witnesses; writing demand letters; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; managing and conducting discovery; working with experts; presenting oral arguments; negotiating settlements; and evaluating and handling appeals.
• Lead development of legal strategy that aligns with ACLU‑NJ’s issue priorities and identify opportunities to advance and expand the litigation and legal advocacy docket.
• Develop and manage co‑counsel relationships, including strengthening relationships with law firms and law schools.

Integrated Advocacy, Community Engagement, and Public Education

• Collaborate with the political advocacy and communications departments to support organizational priorities and campaigns and align legal department work when possible.
• Assist with developing internal communications strategies for timely updates about the work of the legal department across the organization.
• Serve as a legal resource to other departments, including Communications, Political Advocacy, and Development.
• Engage in public speaking and represent ACLU‑NJ positions and litigation to diverse audiences, including to the media, with community groups, and at conferences and programs.
• Respond to the requests from community partners, potentially on an emergency and immediate basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 8 years of experience as a full‑time litigator, including experience with complex matters involving civil rights and constitutional law.
• Either a license to practice law in New Jersey or eligible for admission within twelve months of employment.
• Excellence in supervising legal work, lead case teams, and directly supervise attorneys.
• Demonstrated experience with complex legal analysis, creative problem‑solving, and identifying opportunities to advance the law.
• Experience litigating complex civil rights or constitutional matters, including excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills and experience building strong relationships with lawyers, other staff members, and coalition partners.
• Excellence in synthesizing complex issues and communicating them effectively to diverse audiences, including elected officials, attorneys, judges, community partners, supporters, the media, and the public.
• Experience in developing and implementing internal systems for legal departments.
• Strong project and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects, a high level of organization, the ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to the ACLU‑NJ’s mission and experience incorporating racial justice principles into legal work.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the state of New Jersey, and occasionally to other states for conferences and training.
• Experience speaking with the media or engaging in strategic communications.

Compensation

The target salary for this job is $165,000. The ACLU‑NJ supports and plans for staff member professional growth and skill development through internal and external opportunities. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which currently includes 30 days paid time off, 12 office holidays and 16 health care leave days; medical, vision, and dental insurance; 20 weeks (100 days) paid family leave; life and long‑term disability insurance; pre‑tax transit benefits; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

About our Culture

We are a diverse workforce and take pride in our ability to attract and retain employees with a huge array of backgrounds and experiences. We work hard but also like to celebrate our successes. We strive to bring humility, empathy, kindness, and generosity to our work, internally within the organization and externally with our partners and those whom we are serving. We seek to build a work culture with a sense of respect and collegiality, and a willingness to be generous with our expertise and resources.

The ACLU‑NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to race; color; gender, gender identity or expression; religion; sex; national origin or ancestry; age; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people, women, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.