Staff Attorney

SUMMARY

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) seeks a licensed attorney to join our growing team as a staff attorney. The staff attorney will participate in both litigation and non-litigation advocacy to advance civil liberties and civil rights in Tennessee. The staff attorney will work under the direction of the ACLU-TN’s legal director to help develop and litigate cases at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts on various civil rights and civil liberties issues.

The staff attorney will be expected to develop a docket of cases, take a lead role in their litigation, and support the legal director in other cases. In addition, the staff attorney will have non-litigation advocacy responsibilities, including public speaking.

This position is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Candidates outside Nashville, Tennessee, will be considered for this position if willing to relocate to the Nashville area. Current staff work in a flexible hybrid (in-person and work-from-home) environment; the ability to work in person for at least a portion of the work week is highly preferred.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate directly in litigating civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court, either as co-counsel or, when appropriate, as lead counsel.
• Conduct factual and legal research, prepare memoranda, draft Open Records Act requests, write demand letters, draft pleadings and motions, and help write appellate and amicus briefs.
• Identify, develop, interview and retain potential clients for representation.
• Manage the discovery process for complex civil litigation, including preparing discovery requests and responses, analyzing documents, and taking and defending depositions.
• Monitor litigation being handled by cooperating attorneys and provide assistance as needed.
• Help assess requests for legal assistance and identify appropriate cases for legal challenge that come through our intake program.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with the legal staff at the national ACLU, its projects and other state affiliates, and collaborate on litigation and investigations that arise in Tennessee.
• Review, comment on and edit letters and briefs of co-counsel and other ACLU-TN staff.
• Support the work of the legal director, as needed.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in advocacy work to advance civil rights through non-litigation means such as writing public comments, public speaking and public education efforts, in collaboration with the communications, community engagement and policy departments.
• Work with ACLU-TN staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies in collaboration with ACLU-TN’s communications, policy, community engagement, and legal programs.
• Occasionally speak to media, as guided by the communications department.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the legal director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• At least two years of federal civil litigation experience, with a preferred emphasis in complex civil litigation, civil rights or constitutional law.
• Admitted to the Tennessee Bar (candidates who are eligible to immediately apply for admission to the Tennessee Bar will be considered).
• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights, and the ACLU’s mission, with a preference for those with lived experience in ACLU-TN’s focus areas, which include, but are not limited to, free speech and expression, voting rights/democracy, racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, and reproductive justice. Experience in non-profit advocacy or other community-based groups is also valuable.
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills are required. Judicial clerkships and/or experience litigating federal civil rights and civil liberties cases are a plus.
• Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research and strategic thinking.
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
• Excellent communication skills with both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
• A commitment to diversity and a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability and socioeconomic circumstance.
• Willing to work some evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Willing to periodically work long and extended hours.
• Willing to occasionally travel locally/regionally as needed, including to prisons and jails.