Location
Newark, NJ (Hybrid)
Department
Legal
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time position of Staff Attorney (Immigrants’ Rights). The Staff Attorney will engage in litigation and advocacy as part of the ACLU-NJ’s strategic priority to protect and expand the rights of immigrants. This position is funded for three years, with a possibility for future extension.
In recent years, the ACLU-NJ has driven powerful legal and policy advocacy, including litigation to protect the rights of farmworkers and children of immigrants, to fight for the health and safety of immigrants in detention and push back against detention expansion, and to limit local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration action, among other work. While the Staff Attorney’s focus will be on Immigrants’ Rights, they will also work on other civil rights and civil liberties priorities as needed.
This three-year term limited position will be supervised by a Senior Staff Attorney and will be based in Newark with a hybrid work schedule where we work in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Organizational Overview
For more than 60 years, the ACLU of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We are committed to repairing and transforming spaces where constitutional promises have not been delivered.
In every facet of our work, we strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice in the institutions of New Jersey, for the people of New Jersey. We aim to center the voices and lived experiences of those who historically have not been fully protected by government systems or laws.
Founded in 1960 and based in Newark, we are a non-partisan organization that operates on several fronts – political, legal, cultural – to bring about systemic change and build a more equitable society.
As part of an organization that uses an integrated, inter-departmental approach to advocacy, the staff attorney will join a 12+ person legal team that engages in litigation and a wide range of advocacy tools to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and that works collaboratively with policy and communications colleagues to maximize the ACLU-NJ’s impact. All staff attorneys on the legal team are responsible for identifying possible litigation and advocacy; conducting factual and legal research; evaluating legal theory and strategy; identifying, interviewing, and counseling clients and witnesses; writing demand letters; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; working with experts; presenting oral arguments; negotiating settlements; handling appeals; and writing amicus briefs.
Responsibilities
Litigation & Policy Advocacy
Leadership & Administration
Preferred Qualifications
The ACLU-NJ anticipates hiring an attorney with at least four years of litigation experience (including clerkships) but will consider all applicants with similar experience and strong advocacy and litigation skills. Attorneys who have completed seven years of experience are eligible for the designation of “Senior Staff Attorney.”
Compensation
The ACLU of New Jersey pays staff attorneys in a salary range based on year of law school graduation. For example, a 2020 graduate would start at $87,500. The ACLU-NJ supports and plans for staff member professional growth and skill development through internal and external opportunities. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which currently includes 30 days paid time off, 12 office holidays and 16 health care leave days; medical, vision, and dental insurance; 20 weeks (100 days) paid family leave; life and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
About our Culture
We are a diverse workforce and take pride in our ability to attract and retain employees with a huge array of backgrounds and experiences. We work hard but also like to celebrate our successes. We strive to bring humility, empathy, kindness, and generosity to our work, internally within the organization and externally with our partners and those whom we are serving. We seek to build a work culture with a sense of respect and collegiality, and a willingness to be generous with our expertise and resources.
TO APPLY
If you are excited about bringing your experience to the ACLU-NJ, complete the application by uploading a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. We invite applicants to include in their cover letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled; at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website.
The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to race; color; gender, gender identity or expression; religion; sex; national origin or ancestry; age; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people, women, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.
The ACLU-NJ makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NJ 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 careers@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.
Location
Newark, NJ (Hybrid)
Department
Legal
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time position of Staff Attorney (Immigrants’ Rights). The Staff Attorney will engage in litigation and advocacy as part of the ACLU-NJ’s strategic priority to protect and expand the rights of immigrants. This position is funded for three years, with a possibility for future extension.
In recent years, the ACLU-NJ has driven powerful legal and policy advocacy, including litigation to protect the rights of farmworkers and children of immigrants, to fight for the health and safety of immigrants in detention and push back against detention expansion, and to limit local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration action, among other work. While the Staff Attorney’s focus will be on Immigrants’ Rights, they will also work on other civil rights and civil liberties priorities as needed.
This three-year term limited…