Legal Director Opportunity w/ ACLU Alabama
Sayda Zelaya
About ACLU of Alabama
The ACLU of Alabama (ACLU of AL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to promote and defend civil liberties and civil rights through legal, legislative and public education approaches including criminal justice reform, equality for all Alabamians, and freedom of speech and expression as well as privacy rights, and more.
For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. The ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties and civil rights cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. While recognized as one of the nation’s leading public interest law firms, the ACLU’s strength lies in an integrated advocacy approach, which requires collaboration between our legal, advocacy, public education, and communications staff on comprehensive strategies to maximize impact.
Priorities include ending mass incarceration, separating church and state, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, advancing racial justice, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, preserving the right to vote and the right to have an abortion.
The ACLU of Alabama is the local affiliate of the National ACLU. Founded in 1965, it is over 5000 members strong and is poised for growth and expansion.
For more information, please visit www.aclualabama.org.
The Opportunity
The ACLU of AL seeks a Legal Director to lead and expand its litigation and legal advocacy programs. Defending civil rights and civil liberties in the 21st century requires a new and creative approach to advocacy. The ACLU of Alabama seeks a Legal Director who is eager to shape and lead both impact litigation and non-litigation advocacy in our work, as well as play a critical role in helping to plan and execute new strategies for growth and service to new constituencies. The Legal Director will be a critical member of the organization’s senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director and providing strategic leadership and coordination regarding both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy.
The Legal Director’s essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Helping to set overall legal strategy to advance the mission of the organization, as well as for the day-to-day management of our legal program, including a staff attorney, cooperating attorneys, and the legal docket. The Legal Director also works with a Board- appointed Legal Committee of advisors to advance the advocacy goals of the organization.
- Coordinating the selection of cases based on ACLU policy, organizational priorities, and capacity. They oversee the development of cases prior to the commencement of litigation and the conduct of litigation thereafter.
- Thinking creatively, strategically and tactically with a courageous and imaginative approach to advocacy. While the Legal Director may maintain an individual caseload, they primarily work with the staff attorney, National ACLU attorneys, and cooperating private attorneys in their litigation and advocacy efforts, aiding in case preparation where necessary.
- Speaking regularly as a highly visible spokesperson for the ACLU, including print and broadcast journalists and at public forums, and otherwise advocating for civil rights and civil liberties both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. At times, the Legal Director assists in fundraising efforts by participating in meetings with major donors, speaking at donor forums and events, and otherwise working with development staff to ensure consistent funding for our work.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional skills, qualities, and competencies:
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU; a deep personal commitment to and passion for advancing civil rights and civil liberties;
- A minimum of 8 years of experience, ideally 5 years of litigation experience at the state and federal levels, with a strong background in constitutional and civil rights litigation;
- Demonstrated record of moving legal cases forward at all levels of the judiciary, with experience working with clients from diverse constituencies;
- Excellent communication, media, presentation, written, and analytical skills;
- Significant experience representing and working with activists in grassroots and non- governmental organizations;
- Experience working closely with a volunteer board of directors and nonprofit organizations;
- Alabama Bar admission is preferred but not required initially; the successful applicant will be required to obtain admission as soon as possible after hire.
- Excellent organizational skills and a creative approach to problem-solving and litigation;
- Goal-oriented, project-oriented, and achievement-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
- A team-building and collegial management style, including effective communication skills, a warm personal style that commands respect, and a good sense of humor, courage and integrity.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU of Alabama. Benefits include medical and disability insurance, 401(k) and vacation, holiday and sick leave.
Contact
ACLU of AL has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to Trisha Sutrisno here.
ACLU of AL is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBT applicants.
About Koya Leadership Partners
Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. For more information about Koya Leadership Partners, visit koyapartners.com.