Job Title: Staff
Attorney-National Prison Project
Organization: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Location:
Salary:
FT Regular
Job Description:
The National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
invites applications for the position of Staff Attorney.
OVERVIEW:
Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Prison
Project seeks to ensure constitutional conditions of confinement in prisons,
jails, juvenile facilities, and immigration detention facilities. We seek to
promote prisoners rights through class action litigation and public
education. Our policy priorities include reducing prison overcrowding,
improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment in
prisons and jails, and minimizing the reliance on incarceration as a
criminal justice sanction. The Project also publishes a semi-annual Journal,
coordinates a nationwide network of litigators, conducts training and public
education conferences, and provides expert advice and technical assistance
to local community groups and lawyers throughout the country.
The work of the National Prison Project has never been more vital than it is
now. The population in American prisons and jails has tripled in the past 15
years with the predictable consequence that facilities are overcrowded;
medical systems are overwhelmed; work, education, and treatment programs are
inadequate; and idleness and inadequate supervision lead to greater levels
of violence. As our national prison and jail population has climbed to over
two million persons, it has grown increasingly racially skewed. On any given
day, one-third of all African-American males are under some form of criminal
justice supervision, and one in every eight black males in their twenties is
in prison or jail. These trends have been exacerbated by the impact of the
"war on drugs," with three fourths of all those convicted of drug
offenses
being persons of color. The consequences of these racial disparities in the
criminal justice system reach beyond the prison gates: as a result of state
felony disenfranchisement laws, an estimated 13% of all black males are not
eligible to vote.
The Project, with a staff of eight attorneys, has fought and continues to
fight unlawful prison conditions and practices through successful litigation
on behalf of prisoners in more than 25 states. Since 1991, the Project has
represented prisoners in five cases before the United States Supreme Court.
It is the only organization litigating prison conditions of confinement
nationwide on behalf of men, women, and children.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Litigation in federal courts, including appellate litigation, throughout the
country.
Handle a substantial caseload of major class actions in federal court and
work closely with other staff attorneys and local counsel.
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.
Engage in public speaking and articulate ACLU views to a variety of
audiences on a broad range of prisoners rights,
criminal justice and civil
liberties issues.
Supervise paralegals.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Active bar membership and litigation experience, preferably in federal
court.
A demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and public interest
law.
Excellent legal research and writing skills.
Excellent oral communication skills.
Familiarity with criminal justice issues preferred.
COMPENSATION:
The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits
package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU
compensation scale.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages
applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil
Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties
overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two
separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect
civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two
organizations under the name ACLU.
How to Apply:
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are a proactive and resourceful team player with a passion for public
interest issues, please send a cover letter (with salary requirements) a
current resume, the names and phone numbers of three references, and at
least one legal writing sample by email to hrjobs@aclu.org. Reference
[NPP-10/YNPN] in subject line or by mail
to:
Human Resources
RE: [NPP-10/YNPN]
American Civil Liberties Union
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not
be before June 19, 2008. Please indicate where you learned of this job
posting.
Organization Web Site: www.aclu.org
Email replies to: hrjobs@aclu.org