Staff Attorney

Be Part of a Pivotal Moment in History

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Foundation, Inc. (ACLU-MO), seeks a passionate, dedicated, and creative lawyer to fill a full-time Staff Attorney position.

Founded in 1920, the ACLU-MO is one of Missouri’s premier public advocacy organizations. The ACLU-MO, with offices in St. Louis and Kansas City, is committed to defending and expanding the constitutional rights and civil liberties guaranteed to all Missourians under the United States and Missouri Constitutions through an integrated advocacy approach, using strategic litigation, campaign and legislative advocacy, community engagement, and communications programs on a broad range of issues. We focus our work on issues that include free speech, reproductive rights, voting rights, government transparency and accountability, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ+ equality, racial equity, and protection of all rights under the Missouri and United States Constitutions. The ACLU-MO is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization and works closely with the ACLU of Missouri, 501(c)(4) organization.

To learn more about our work as an affiliate and nationally, visit www.aclu-mo.org and www.aclu.org.

Position Description:

Under the strategic leadership of the Director of Litigation and Policy and the supervision of the Deputy Director for Litigation, the Staff Attorney will further the ACLU-MO’s strategic litigation program. Duties will include legal research and writing and developing and litigating a variety of impact civil liberties cases at the trial and appellate level in state and federal court. The Staff Attorney will support integrated advocacy work combining litigation, legislative advocacy, media advocacy, and public education on ACLU-MO priority campaigns.

Duties Include:

• Work in all stages of litigation at the trial court and appellate level in state and federal courts, including: fact investigation; witness development; written discovery; depositions; research; drafting memoranda and briefs; motion practice; client communication; and court appearances throughout the state of Missouri.
• Identify constitutional rights and civil liberties issues subject to legal challenge and identify and work with potential plaintiffs and witnesses.
• Identify cases for and draft amicus briefs.
• Collaborate with litigation team and with outside attorneys, including attorneys from other organizations and volunteer cooperating counsel.
• Work with and assign tasks to law clerks.
• Serve as a resource for ACLU-MO policy and campaigns work, advance priority campaign goals through community engagement, public education, advocacy, and media.
• Work on a small legal team with a large, varied caseload.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors, including administrative tasks.

Qualifications:

• J.D. required.
• Admission to Missouri Bar or admission to another Bar with ability to obtain admission to the Missouri Bar by waiver or Bar examination within six months of the date of hire.
• Ability to work in office in Kansas City and remotely based on a hybrid office model.
• Attorneys must be able to appear at hearings and trials remotely and in person throughout the State of Missouri.
• Attorneys must be willing to do administrative tasks as part of a small legal team with limited support staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to constitutional and civil rights, and the ACLU’s mission.
• Ability to travel within the state, sometimes for multiple days at a time.
• Ability to meet deadlines while working on multiple time-sensitive projects and doing so effectively and efficiently with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work with diverse and often underserved communities, clients, and coalition and community partners.
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
• Demonstrated skill at working independently, collaboratively, and under pressure.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact investigation in context of impact litigation.
• Self-motivated, able and willing to work beyond a typical 9-to-5 schedule when needed to meet case demands.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstance.

Must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 as recommended by the CDC and must stay current with protections against COVID-19 recommended by the CDC. Proof of current vaccination status upon hire.

This job announcement provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment, and the description and/or posting may be changed at any time without advance notice.

Compensation and Terms:

ACLU-MO offers a generous benefits package which includes paid vacation and holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, and a 401(K)-retirement plan. Employees in this job classification are represented by the United Media Guild-CWA (UMG). Union dues are 1.6% and deducted from semi-monthly payroll. The base salary for this position is $67,465 in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To Apply:

Please Submit:

1. A copy of your resume that lists relevant experience.
2. Three professional References with contact information.
3. A cover letter describing your qualifications, explaining in detail why you are interested in the role with the ACLU of Missouri, and discussing your understanding of how you will apply diversity and inclusion principles in your work as an ACLU-MO staff attorney.
4. Two legal writing samples that have not been substantially edited by others or drafted with any assistance of AI.

to: application@aclu-mo.org. Please indicate “Staff Attorney” in the subject line of your email. Please, no phone calls.

Deadline:

Application materials will be reviewed as received and will be accepted until the position is filled.

ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.

The ACLU undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: application@aclu-mo.org.