The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Foundation, Inc. (ACLU-MO),
seeks a passionate, dedicated, and creative lawyer with three or more years of
civil litigation experience 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 are in the midst of
planned growth and increasing prominence in policy issues including racial
equity, education equity, voting rights, equitable policing, reducing mass
incarceration, threats to reproductive rights, prosecutorial accountability,
LGBTQ+ equality, free speech, and protecting privacy in the digital age. 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](http://www.aclu-mo.org) and [www.aclu.org](http://www.aclu.org).
**_Position Description_** **:**
Under the leadership of the Deputy Director for Litigation, the Staff Attorney
will further the ACLU-MO’s strategic litigation program. Duties will include
legal research and developing and litigating a variety of impact civil
liberties cases at the trial and appellate level in state and federal court.
In addition, 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, including research; discovery; drafting memoranda and briefs; law and motion practice; and court appearances.
* Identify constitutional rights and civil liberties issues subject to legal challenge and identify and work with potential plaintiffs and witnesses.
* Identify areas of interest for and draft amicus briefs.
* Work with outside attorneys, including attorneys from other organizations and volunteer cooperating counsel, and supervise student interns.
* Serve as a resource for ACLU-MO policy and campaigns work, advance priority campaign goals through public education, advocacy and media.
* Work on a small legal team with a large, varied caseload.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
**_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.
* Demonstrated commitment to constitutional, civil rights, and the ACLU’s mission.
* Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
* Minimum three years’ civil litigation experience, including experience taking and defending depositions, participating in evidentiary and motion hearings, or oral argument and/or trial experience, with strong preference for judicial clerkship or significant federal court experience.
* Demonstrated skill at litigating independently, collaboratively, and under pressure.
* Excellent research, writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills.
* Ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact investigation in context of impact litigation.
* Excellent communication skills as to both legal and non-legal audiences.
* Self-motivated, able, and willing to manage an aggressive schedule, work beyond a typical 9-to-5 schedule when needed to meet case demands, and travel within the state as needed.
* Capacity to work on multiple time-sensitive projects effectively and efficiently with close attention to detail.
* A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively; flexible and well-organized.
* Experience working with diverse and often underserved communities, clients, and coalition and community partners.
* 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; and
* Ability to work in office 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.
**_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). 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.
3. A cover letter describing your qualifications, interest in the role with the ACLU of Missouri and answering the following question:
* What is 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.
to: [application@aclu-mo.org](mailto: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._**](mailto:application@aclu-
mo.org)
#LI-DNI
