Apply on Employer Site

ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties · 1 week ago

Staff Attorney, Advancing Justice

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$79K/yr - $118K/yr

The ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties is seeking an Advancing Justice Staff Attorney to join their team. This role involves investigating and addressing issues in the criminal legal system, focusing on police practices and legal advocacy to promote civil rights and justice.

Civic & Social Organization

Responsibilities

Working with the Advancing Justice Issue Team, Managing Legal Director and impacted communities identify, research, develop, and pursue legal and policy initiatives consistent with affiliate priorities developed through the Advancing Justice Issue Team

Provide legal and policy expertise on issues related to the criminal legal system, especially police practices, including by:

Researching, drafting, or editing legal advocacy letters, amicus briefs, legislation, regulatory comments, reports, policy briefs and coalition sign-on letters

Participating in legislative briefings and meetings with federal, state, and local government officials; contributing legal analysis and support to designated legal, policy, organizing, communications, or development work of the affiliate as appropriate; and

Conducting legal and policy research to support the Advancing Justice Issue Team

Investigate, monitor, and advocate for local and federal compliance with existing legal and policy requirements, and identify and develop strategies and novel legal claims to challenge police practices under state and federal law, investigating practices of police departments and other law enforcement agencies for potential litigation and/or advocacy work, and identifying opportunities to leverage impact litigation to catalyze policy efforts in local communities

Research and maintain up-to-date awareness of current tactics and trends related to the criminal legal system, especially as it relates to policing, and communicate those tactics and trends as appropriate to the Advancing Justice Issue Team and appropriate affiliate staff as well as across the ACLU state and national organizational structure

Participate in strategic litigation and direct service representation as necessary or appropriate, consistent with priorities developed by the Advancing Justice Issue Team and under the supervision of the Managing Legal Director

Provide technical support and strategic leadership and support to community partners, allies, stakeholders, and coalitions in the region, and build and nurture relationships by participating in regular meetings with community leaders and members and pursuing shared advocacy goals with them

Draft content for 'Know Your' materials, op-eds, blog posts, and other media regarding the criminal legal system, and participate in community outreach, education, and public speaking on issues impacting the Advancing Justice issue area

Supervise investigators, interns or fellows as needed, and support summer intern hiring

Qualification

Litigation experienceLegal researchPolicy advocacyCommunity engagementCultural competencyCommunication skillsRacial justice commitmentInterpersonal skillsTime-management skillsEmotional intelligenceTeam playerFlexibilityInitiativeIntegrity

Required

Commitment to racial justice and civil liberties principles

Current attorney with proven litigation experience in state and/or federal court

Excellent research, writing, analytic, interpersonal, communication, and time-management skills

Patience, emotional intelligence and cultural competency

Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends, and travel as needed inside or outside the U.S

Demonstrated experience using advocacy, community engagement, and litigation as part of a creative response to civil rights violations in affected communities

Relevant experience working on issues related to the criminal legal system

Ability to be a flexible team player but also comfortable working independently and taking initiative

Must be admitted to the California Bar

Demonstrated awareness of one's own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms

Complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity

Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture

Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction

Courage and impeccable integrity