Legal Director

The ACLU of Arizona works to advance equity and dismantle systemic injustice through legal action, policy advocacy, and mobilizing our communities to protect the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans.

The Legal Director provides vision, direction, and support for the ACLU of Arizona’s legal program. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Legal Director provides strategic leadership on litigation and legal advocacy to advance the ACLU of Arizona’s mission and goals in priority areas including immigrants’ rights, criminal justice, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ equality, as well as other civil rights and liberties issues.

They oversee the management and coordination of our docket, legal staff, and network of cooperating attorneys. The ideal candidate possesses a strong commitment to advancing civil rights and liberties, exceptional litigation skills, and management and supervisory experience to lead our proactive, high-impact legal program and continue to build our in-house litigation capacity.

Internally, as a critical member of the organization’s senior leadership team, the Legal works within our integrated advocacy model in collaboration with other departments to develop strategies that make an even greater impact on civil rights and liberties in Arizona. Externally, the Legal Director is a highly visible public spokesperson for the ACLU of Arizona’s work and a leader in the state’s legal community, particularly in the areas of civil rights and liberties.

The Legal Director supervises and supports a committed and high-performing legal team; works directly with the Executive Director, leadership team, and board of directors; and collaborates closely with National ACLU departments on litigation efforts and other organizational and nationwide priorities.

Location
:
Phoenix, Arizona

Salary Range: The anticipated hiring range is $102,000- $130,000; salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including the knowledge, skills, and experience of the individual selected.

Final date to receive applications:
September 30, 2025; we will review applications on a rolling basis

Supervision
:
This position reports to the Executive Director, is a member of the Leadership Team and supervises four attorneys, a senior paralegal, and occasional interns and volunteers.

Classification
:
Full-time, exempt

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the legal program: Develop and regularly assess a comprehensive annual legal department plan and budget with ambitious goals and clear metrics for measuring the success of the program. Identify areas for high-impact, strategic amicus opportunities and litigation that aligns with organizational goals and mission. Manage all aspects of the litigation program including coordinating the case selection process, overseeing the investigation and development of cases, building litigation teams, and overseeing all aspects of ongoing litigation including reviewing pleadings, managing discovery, and handling trials and appeals as necessary.
  
  Collaborate closely with ACLU of Arizona staff attorneys, ACLU national office attorneys, and co-counsel from other nonprofits and private firms.
• Individual litigation caseload: Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation, including overseeing and directing pre-litigation activities, discovery, motion practice, brief writing, hearings and trials, and appellate work.
• Team leadership and development: Provide direct supervision and support for legal staff including conducting regular staff evaluations, supporting the development and implementation of individual and team work plans, ensuring continued professional development of all legal staff, and overseeing the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of all legal positions.
• Reporting, records, and case management
  :
  Report to the Executive Director, board of directors, internal and external stakeholders on litigation efforts and goals through regular written updates and presentations. Oversee case management procedures and systems and ensure that they are accurate and effectively aligned to support litigation and overall…