The ACLU of Delaware, founded in 1961, is a private, non-profit non-partisan organization that works to promote and defend civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, lobbying, public education and communications. The ACLU of Delaware is the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, the country’s largest civil liberties and civil rights organization. Its main office is in Wilmington, DE The Legal Director should anticipate working in a wide range of civil liberties areas, including, but not limited to, immigrants rights, LGBT rights, prisoner rights, racial justice, privacy, student rights, religious liberty and freedom of speech. The Legal Director will report directly to the Executive Director.
The ACLU of Delaware is committed to ensuring equal opportunity in employment without discrimination based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status, or any other basis unrelated to the individual’s abilities and qualifications to serve. People of color, women, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) individuals, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Legal Director’s primary responsibilities will be to:
• Supervise and direct all ACLU of Delaware litigation;
• Recruit and retain cooperating attorneys;
• Monitor litigation being handled by cooperating attorneys and provide assistance as needed;
• Serve as co-counsel on ACLU of Delaware cases or as lead counsel when appropriate;
• Seek opportunities for amicus appearances; prepare amicus briefs; and invite partner organizations to sign on as amici;
• Obtain and supervise the assistance of legal interns, law students, and other legal volunteers;
• Prepare necessary dockets and reports for the Executive Director, Legal Review Panel, and the Board;
• Supervise the litigation intake and review process, including training and supervision of volunteers;
• Supervise legal research and analysis of potential cases, including recruiting and assigning specific requests to cooperating attorneys and law students;
• Organize Continuing Legal Education training on civil liberties and civil rights issues as appropriate;
• Coordinate with Board and staff to advance our larger agenda; and
• Develop and maintain relationships with legal staff at the National ACLU, its projects and other affiliates.
In addition, the Legal Director will work collaboratively with other staff to coordinate the legal program with other ACLU of Delaware programs, such as legislation, public education and development. Specifically, the Legal Director will, at the request of the Executive Director:
• Participate in public speaking to community and bar organizations, the news media and the public related to litigation issues;
• Assist in writing news releases, newsletter articles and updating the ACLU of Delaware website related to litigation issues;
• Be willing to meet with individual donors to discuss the legal program;
• Attend national and regional ACLU training and staff conferences; and
• Attend Executive Committee and Board meetings.
Required Qualifications:
• Minimum 5 years membership in the Delaware Bar, or of another state—if prepared to obtain admission to the Delaware Bar as soon as possible (extraordinary candidates with less experience may be considered);
• Civil litigation experience;
• Exceptional analytic, research, writing and oral advocacy skills, including the capacity to act quickly—and competently—under pressure;
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-term litigation strategies;
• Ability to think creatively and to use non-litigation strategies to promote objectives, including building coalitions with ally organizations and public advocacy;
• Strong self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple deadlines;
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with clients, other counsel, volunteers, staff and Board members, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards;
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn about and understand cultures other than one’s own; and
• Capacity for administrative work, including the supervision of and coordinating with others inside and outside the ACLU.
Helpful Skills & Experience:
• Criminal law and/or appellate experience;
• Broad knowledge of constitutional law;
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights and the ACLU mission;
• Experience working with legislative processes;
• Spanish speaking and writing ability;
• Experience working with people of races, religions and national origin other than
one’s own.
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience, including health, retirement, and other benefits; Bar dues, liability insurance and CLE expenses provided by ACLU.
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed beginning the week of June 14, 2010, but will be accepted until the position is filled.
Application: Applicants are expected to submit:
1) A cover letter describing interest in the position;
2) A current resume;
3) A legal writing sample; and
4) The names and phone numbers of three references Materials should be sent either by:
E-mail (in MS Word or Adobe PDF format) to: pstrine@aclu-de.org
