Staff Attorney, ACLU

Immigratin Advocatres Network; Orlando, Tampa, Miami (FL, FL, FL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The ACLU of Florida is seeking an immigrants' rights attorney to tackle pressing civil rights issues across the state. The position includes case development, community engagement, and advocacy. Successful candidates should have significant litigation experience and a commitment to civil rights.

Benefits

Health and dental insurance

Generous vacation and holiday policies

Defined Contribution 401K Retirement Plan

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of federal appellate litigation experience.
• Broad knowledge of constitutional law.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Litigate immigrants’-rights cases in federal courts.
• Develop public education resources on rights.
• Engage with community partners and stakeholders.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Legal analysis

Cultural competence

Commitment to civil liberties

Collaboration

Communication

Project management

Advocacy in marginalized communities

Job description

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights. For over 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy. The
organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. Operating out of six offices—Miami (main), Tampa, Pensacola, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville—the Florida affiliate has a budget of over $8 million and 55 staff members, placing it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.

Position:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida seeks an immigrants rights attorney tocombat pressing civil rights and liberties issues affecting communities across the state. Thisposition may be located in Miami, Orlando, or Tampa and may include some travel. This positionis funded for two years with the possibility for an extension. The immigrants’-rights attorney is a staff position within the Affiliate’s Legal Department. The position reports to the Deputy Legal Director. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, within a starting range of $61,000-$84,000. The ACLU of Florida provides excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance with generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave policies, as well as a Defined Contribution 401K Retirement Plan. Base vacation leave is five weeks per year.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, prepare, and litigate immigrants’-rights cases at all stages in federal district and appellate courts
• Engage in pre-litigation, post-litigation, and non-litigation advocacy, including preparing demand letters, conducting settlement negotiations and enforcement, preparing advocacy materials and public-education resources, and delivering public testimony
• Work closely with and provide policy analysis and legal expertise to non-legal program staff at the ACLU of Florida and ACLU National
• Engage regularly with the media on immigrants’-rights issues
• Develop and strengthen relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders,
  and affected communities
• Prepare and deliver “know your rights” information to affected communities.
• Respond to the legal needs of affected communities, potentially on an emergency and
  immediate basis
• Participate in legal and advocacy conferences and develop and provide CLE
  presentations on pertinent topics
• Communicate ACLU views and positions to a variety of audiences, including judges,
  community residents, and policymakers, through public speaking, traditional and social
  media, and other means
• Assist the ACLU of Florida’s volunteer chapters across the state regarding local
  immigrants’-rights issues

Qualifications:

• Significant expertise and experience in the area of immigrants’ rights
• At least five years of federal district court or appellate litigation experience
• Strong and demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with themission and goals of the ACLU
• Broad substantive knowledge of constitutional law
• Exceptional oral-advocacy skills
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment with a keen ability tosimultaneously work on and manage multiple projects and deadlines and set priorities
• Enthusiasm, patience, and cultural competence to work cooperatively on a variety ofprojects with lawyers, organizers, and other staff members, as well as with diversecommunity organizations and coalitions
• Experience working and communicating with marginalized or vulnerable communities.
• Collaborative spirit and a sense of humor
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally with lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and clients
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance
• Ability and willingness to travel and work extended hours, including nights and weekends, as needed
• Fluency in Spanish

How To Apply:

Send an email to [e-mail] and attach a cover letter, résumé, and two substantial writing samples demonstrating thorough legal analysis. All inquiries should include “Immigrants’ Rights Staff Attorney position” in the subject line, and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Applicants should specify in their application their desired locations in order of preference. Ultimate location will depend on office availability.