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| Job Title: | Supervising Attorney - Voting Rights |
| Organization: | American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) |
| Region: | East Coast |
| Description: | The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), with now more than 500,000 members, was founded in 1920 and is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU's Equality Center seeks applicants for a full-time Supervising Attorney position largely focused on Voting Rights in the ACLU's New York City office. OVERVIEW The ACLU has a long history of defending the right to vote, which it believes is the backbone of democracy. The ACLU played a critical role in convincing the U.S. Supreme Court to establish the "one person, one vote" rule and in strengthening the Voting Rights Act in 1982. Through persistent litigation, voter empowerment, and fighting efforts to restrict the vote in state legislatures, the ACLU helped make it possible for minority voters all over America to participate in the electoral process, and through that, to change the face of government. Today, the ACLU's voting rights work includes litigation and working for strong federal and state legislation and policy. The work is carried out through the Legal and Advocacy Departments of the national ACLU, its Washington Legislative Office, and by the ACLU's 53 affiliate offices around the country. The voting rights work is part of the ACLU's Center for Equality which works to uphold the federal constitution's promise that all Americans will receive equal protection of the law. The Equality Center also includes the ACLU's work on racial justice, immigrant's rights and disability. The ACLU's work has been devoted 1) leveling the playing field for racial and language minorities; 2) making one person, one vote a reality; and 3) reforming the electoral process so that it is easy for everyone to vote. Currently, the ACLU is helping to fight back against a flood of state laws aimed at making it more difficult to register and vote. The ACLU is also helping to resist constitutional attacks on the Voting Rights Act, which more than any other law, has made it possible for minorities in America to exercise real political power. The job of the Supervising Voting Rights Attorney will be 1) supervise the ACLU Equality Center lawyers who work on Voting Rights; 2) help the ACLU refine the vision for its voting rights work, and adjust the strategic plan as necessary to reflect that vision; 3) litigate cases; 4) work with lobbyists in the Washington Legislative office, Policy Counsel and Advocates and the Communications Department to advance the ACLU's goals on voting; 5) help ACLU affiliates develop and refine their voting rights work; and 6) work with other groups involved in voting rights. Over time, the Supervising Attorney may work on other issues. The Supervising Attorney will report to the Director of the Equality Center, Matthew Coles. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - With the Center Director and staff working on voting, refine the ACLU's vision and priorities on voting rights. - Responsible for the implementation of the ACLU's strategic plans to achieve its vision on voting. - Supervise national ACLU lawyers working primarily on voting rights and other lawyers working on voting cases. - Work with other parts of the ACLU to develop and coordinate the ACLU's non-litigation advocacy on voting rights. - Advise, support and inspire ACLU state affiliates to pursue and expand work on voting rights issues in their own jurisdictions independently and in collaboration with the National ACLU. - Work with the ACLU's Development Department to communicate the ACLU's goals and programs on voting to foundations and individual donors and prospects. - Collaborate with other parts of the ACLU, particularly the other parts of the Center for Equality, to strengthen our commitment as a nation to easily accessible voting for all. - Work with sister organizations and advocates to advance voting rights and be a public spokesperson in speeches, debates, the media and other settings to advance the ACLU's vision of the right to vote. - Be involved in litigation. - Work on other issues as determined by the Center Director. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Required Qualifications - A J.D. with three or more years of experience with litigation, legislation or policy. - Demonstrated ability to think creatively and strategically about using the law to achieve change. - Demonstrated commitment to constitutional and civil rights and public interest law. - Ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact investigation in impact litigation, policy and legislative advocacy settings, sometimes under tight deadlines. - Ability to work independently as well as within a team. - Ability to work with other public interest and community groups. - Excellent legal research and writing skills. - Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively is essential. - Commitment to the mission of the ACLU. Preferred Qualifications - Four or more years of experience as a litigator, legislative lawyer or in crafting and/or implementing voting rights policy is strongly preferred. - Prior supervisory or management experience is preferred. - Demonstrated ability to help develop and implement multi-faceted advocacy campaigns that include litigation, lobbying and advocacy, communications, public education, and community organizing is preferred. - Demonstrated commitment to voting rights. - Fluency in Spanish is a plus. - This position requires significant travel. COMPENSATION The ACLU offers a generous compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. HOW TO APPLY Please send a cover letter (with salary requirements), resume and legal writing sample by email to hrjobsCE@aclu.org - reference [SRO-10/FEM] in subject line - or by mail Human Resources RE: [SRO-10/FEM] American Civil Liberties Union Foundation 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 Please indicate where you learned of this career opportunity. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name "ACLU." |
| Contact: | Human Resources |
| Phone: | 212-549-2500 |
| E-Mail: | hrjobsCE@aclu.org |
| Website: | http://www.aclu.org |
| Closing Date: | August-25-12 |
