Staff Attorney (Limited Term)

Aclumich; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 93,600 - 114,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan with matching contributions

Individual professional development budget

Job summary

The ACLU of Michigan is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney to handle complex cases involving civil rights and liberties. The position is based in Detroit or Grand Rapids with hybrid working options. Candidates must have a J.D. and significant litigation experience, particularly with federal government entities.

The role emphasizes public advocacy, including engaging with the media, coalition partners, and community organizations. Excellent benefits and a salary of $104,000 are included.

Qualifications

• Significant experience litigating against federal government entities.
• Strong commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.
• Proficiency in legal writing and communication.

Responsibilities

• Identify and litigate civil rights cases.
• Write appellate briefs and represent clients.
• Engage in public advocacy on civil liberties.

Skills

Litigating complex cases

Exceptional writing skills

Research and analytical skills

Communication skills

Understanding of civil rights

Ability to travel

Education

J.D. with 8+ years of experience

Member of the State Bar of Michigan

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal research software

Job description

Salary: $104,000 – this is a full-time, limited term position. Location: This position will work on a hybrid basis out of the Detroit or Grand Rapids office and includes occasional travel. Remote work will also be considered in certain circumstances.

The ACLU of Michigan is pleased to seek nominations and applications for the position of Staff Attorney for a limited term through December 2028.

ABOUT THE ACLU OF MICHIGAN

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been at the forefront of every major civil liberties fight in our country’s history. We defend individuals from government abuse and overreach in areas such as the prison and jail populations, LGBTQ equality, immigration detention, and the right to vote. With affiliate offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the ACLU of Michigan, founded in 1959, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public interest organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights in Michigan. We are a passionate, highly motivated group of lawyers, public policy experts, lobbyists, community organizers, communicators, and fundraisers, and we’re looking for exceptional talent to join our team.

The ACLU is deeply committed to racial equity and social justice and is driven to act on these core values. Applicants must be able to recognize how our identities intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities we serve, and must demonstrate cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The ACLU of Michigan seeks a full‑time Staff Attorney who has experience investigating, building, and litigating complex cases involving federal government entities. This role will increase our capacity to pursue proactive litigation and engage in fast‑moving, defensive battles against policies that threaten civil rights and civil liberties. Specific areas of focus may include immigration detention, voting rights, and federal government overreach, but may also include other advocacy and litigation as needed.

LOCATION

This position will work on a hybrid basis out of the Detroit or Grand Rapids office at least two (2) days a week and includes occasional travel. Candidates whose primary residence is located outside of a reasonable commuting distance of 75 miles from the Detroit or Grand Rapids offices may be considered for remote work arrangements, provided they meet the relevant qualifications and can work independently with remote supervision.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, investigate, develop, and litigate high-impact civil rights and civil liberties cases involving federal government entities or government overreach in federal and state courts, including drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, arguing motions, representing clients in appellate proceedings, and negotiating settlement agreements.
• Write appellate and amicus curiae briefs.
• Supervise, lead, or staff litigation teams of associated attorneys; co‑counsel cases with other public‑interest groups and the national ACLU staff.
• Contribute to case selection, formulation of legal strategy, and identification of the ACLU’s litigation priorities.
• Recruit and work successfully with ACLU volunteer attorneys.

(2) LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC ADVOCACY AND TEAMWORK

• Respond to interview requests from reporters, write editorials and blogs, and contribute to social media about cases the staff attorney is involved in.
• Work with ACLU staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high‑impact strategies utilizing the ACLU’s communication, legislative, community organizing, and legal programs.
• Engage with coalition partners, policymakers, and community groups working on similar issues.
• Demonstrate leadership by initiating cases, projects, and programs that are sensitive to community needs, inclusive, and expand the ACLU’s network of supporters.

(3) ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT

• Proactively communicate with all staff so they are well‑informed of upcoming hearings, judicial decisions, and important developments in cases.
• Ensure that the Legal Director and Executive Directors are adequately informed of direction and input from them appropriately and consistently with professional standards.
• Prepare administrative and grant reports, provide administrative and organizational support as needed, and adhere to internal systems for attorney recordkeeping and information sharing.

SUPERVISION

The person in this position will report to the Legal Director or another senior member of the legal department.

QUALIFICATIONS

While we expect any candidate to have learning curves in the role, we are excited to consider candidates who bring strengths, abilities, and alignment with the ACLU of Michigan’s values in the following areas:

LEGAL EXPERTISE

• J.D. with significant experience litigating complex cases involving federal government entities. Eight years of experience or more is preferred.
• Member of the State Bar of Michigan or ability to waive; if out of state, must be actively admitted to the bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and in good standing therein.
• Strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights, and the mission of the ACLU; experience in non‑profit advocacy is a plus.
• Exceptional writing, research, communication, and analytical skills are required.
• Demonstrated skills in litigating independently, jointly, and under pressure.
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both legal and non‑legal audiences.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and community organizations and coalitions.
• Commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio‑economic circumstance.
• Creative, result‑oriented, self‑starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, working beyond 9-5 as needed.
• Willingness to travel across the state for litigation, local lawyer committee meetings and speaking engagements; if not located in Michigan, willingness to travel to Michigan for hearings, depositions, meetings, etc. as needed.
• Proficiency with computers, Windows, and Microsoft Office.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the entire range of civil liberties issues and a dedication to building and promoting the ACLU.
• Flexible, reliable, creative, and energetic, able to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self‑starter and finisher.
• A team player, problem‑solver and strategic thinker who inspires collaboration and functions decisively; flexible and well‑organized.
• Emotionally mature and self‑confident, with a sense of humor to maintain balance and perspective.

COMPENSATION

The annual salary for this position is $104,000. Excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan with matching contributions, an individual professional development budget, and an employee assistance program are provided. The ACLU also facilitates a wide range of nationwide employee resource groups.

The ACLU of Michigan is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU of Michigan is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [e-mail] and include “Accommodation” in the subject line. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.