Staff Attorney

ACLU-AR; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

ACLU-AR seeks a full-time Staff Attorney in Little Rock to advance civil liberties, including free speech, voting rights, and LGBTQ equality. The role involves complex litigation, client outreach, and collaboration with staff and volunteers across campaigns.

The ideal candidate has strong litigation background, Arkansas bar readiness, and a commitment to serving vulnerable communities. The position includes growth opportunities and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Experience litigating in federal or state courts; 3+ years preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in Arkansas or eligible for reciprocity.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop and litigate impact cases with evidence and investigations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently; meet deadlines.
• Commitment to ethical standards and serving vulnerable clients.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and litigate civil liberties and civil rights cases in trials and appeals.
• Develop docket, supervise interns, and coordinate with volunteers and colleagues.
• Advocate on priority issues, draft Know Your Rights materials, and testify as needed.
• Engage with coalitions and stakeholders to advance policy goals.
• Speak publicly and with media to convey ACLU-AR positions.

Skills

Civil rights

Litigation experience

Arkansas bar admission

Legal writing

Communication skills

Collaboration

Time management

Travel willingness

MS Office

Synthesis of complex issues

Education

Arkansas bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Job description

Description

The Arkansas Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc. (ACLU-AR) seeks applicants for a full-time Staff Attorney to join its dedicated, collaborative, and racially diverse team in Little Rock. Since 1969, ACLU-AR has been a leading advocate for civil liberties in the Natural State. The Staff Attorney will help us protect and advance a broad range of civil liberties, including free speech, racial justice, voting rights, immigrants’ rights, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and more.

Key Job Duties

• Investigating, developing, and litigating impact civil liberties and civil rights cases at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts and administrative forums.
  • Responsibilities include identifying possible litigation and handling intake; conducting factual and legal research; evaluating legal theory and strategy; interviewing and counseling clients and witnesses; writing demand letters; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; working with experts; presenting oral arguments; and negotiating settlements.
  • The staff attorney can expect to step into existing cases with other ACLU staff. They will work with the legal director to gradually develop their own docket of new cases and areas of expertise, aligned with ACLU-AR’s strategic priorities.
• Participating in the legal department's advocacy work and the organization’s broader integrated advocacy campaigns, including:
  • Serving as a subject-matter expert and advocating on priority issues.
  • Drafting and editing public education and non-litigation advocacy materials, such as Know Your Rights materials, in collaboration with the Policy and Communications Departments.
  • Providing technical and other support for legislative and policy work, including analyzing bills and occasionally drafting and delivering testimony.
  • Engaging with coalition partners, law and policy makers, community representatives, and colleagues from other ACLU offices working on similar issues.
• Coordinating and working with ACLU volunteer cooperating attorneys.
• Assisting in the development of more junior staff, including the direct supervision of interns.

Speaking publicly, including to the media, to convey ACLU-AR’s positions.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU.
• Experience litigating in federal or state courts. At least three years of litigation experience in complex civil cases is preferred, although not strictly required. Applicants with judicial clerkship or other experience in lieu of experience as a practicing attorney may be considered.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Arkansas or eligible for admission via reciprocity.
• Excellent analytic, research, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and litigate impact cases, including demonstrated ability to conduct thorough fact-finding and investigations.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a variety of projects and to build strong relationships with lawyers, other staff members, and community organizers and coalitions.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal oversight.
• Proven project and time-management skills, including a high level of organization, the ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel as needed for case development, conferences, and training.
• Competency with standard computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Excel, and Adobe.
• Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with or representing vulnerable clients.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

Benefits

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary is $90,000 to $100,000, depending on experience.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employee and family (100% employer-paid premiums)
• Life insurance (100% employer-paid premiums)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (100% employer-paid premiums)
• 401k with employer match (up to 5.5% based on employee contribution)
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays

This position will be supervised by the Legal Director and will be based in Little Rock. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

ACLU-AR is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive and equitable office culture of belonging. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or prior involvement in the criminal legal system.