Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney or Senior Counsel, National Prison Project

About The Job

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney or Senior Counsel in the National Prison Project of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C. or San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that has in‑office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The National Prison Project works to ensure that conditions in prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles. The Project has successfully litigated on behalf of incarcerated people in more than 25 states, and is the only organization litigating conditions of confinement cases nationwide. Our priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving health care, eliminating violence and maltreatment, and increasing oversight and accountability in prisons, jails, and other places of detention.

We also work to reverse the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world and led to extreme over‑representation of people of color in the incarcerated population.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

• Litigate in federal and state courts, including appellate courts, throughout the country
• Carry a substantial caseload in federal and state court, working closely with other staff attorneys and local counsel
• Conduct legal research and write legal memoranda
• Analyze legislation for potential litigation
• Draft pleadings and briefs, engage in discovery and motion practice, and conduct evidentiary hearings and oral arguments
• Provide technical assistance and expert legal advice to local ACLU affiliates, cooperating attorneys, and others who seek assistance from the Project
• Conduct policy advocacy on prisoners’ rights and criminal justice issues
• Develop new cases, identify and work with potential plaintiffs and witnesses
• Engage in public speaking to a variety of audiences on a broad range of prisoners’ rights, criminal justice, and civil liberties issues
• Travel as required for litigation, case management, conferences, and client development
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

• J.D. degree from an ABA‑accredited law school
• Significant litigation experience, inclusive of clerkships, is preferred
• Appropriate bar membership permitting practice in the District of Columbia or California, depending on where the attorney is based
• A demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment is essential
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
• Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively
• Self‑motivated, diligent and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure

• At least eight (8) years of litigation experience, inclusive of clerkships, preferred
• Familiarity with issues related to conditions of confinement preferred
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred

The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances):

• 0‑2 years since law school graduation: $92,374‑$115,393
• 3‑5 years since law school graduation: $129,244‑$152,480
• 6‑10 years since law school graduation: $159,461‑$179,891
• 11‑15 years since law school graduation: $183,255‑$193,657
• 16‑20 years since law school graduation: $195,485‑$200,519
• 21‑25 years since law school graduation: $201,534‑$205,663
• 26‑30+ years since law school graduation:…