The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah seeks to hire an experienced Managing Attorney to join our team. This position will engage in legal advocacy in furtherance of ACLU of Utah priorities in both state and federal courts and will participate in policy advocacy as part of integrated organizational campaigns. The Managing Attorney plays an important role of supporting the management of the legal department. As such, an ideal candidate for this position will have prior experience with project and people management.

Position Overview and Functions

The Managing Attorney is a highly collaborative team player who will develop and litigate cases in state and federal court and engage in other legal advocacy efforts on a range of civil rights and civil liberties issues.  The Managing Attorney will also supervise specified Legal Department staff; manage the ACLU of Utah’s effective response to requests for help through the intake process; assist in interdepartmental policy efforts on priority issues at the state and local levels; engage in public education in collaboration with the Campaigns and Communications teams; recruit and work with cooperating attorneys and other legal partners; and engage in other legal advocacy that advances the mission and work of the ACLU of Utah.

The Managing Attorney is a Full-Time, Salaried, and Exempt position that will work under the supervision of the Legal Director and will directly supervise the Intake Coordinator and Paralegal. The Managing Attorney may supervise other term-limited fellows or interns as determined in consultation with the Executive and Legal Directors. This position is classified as “For-Cause” after the defined 6-month probationary period as indicated in the Handbook.

Specifically, the Managing Staff Attorney will:

  • Effectively pursue the ACLU of Utah’s strategic priorities and fulfill the Legal Department’s stated goals in furtherance of those priorities through legal advocacy in state and federal courts: including investigating, developing and litigating high-impact cases in furtherance of civil rights and civil liberties priorities in federal and state courts, often alongside co-counsel from other firms and organizations.
  • Engage in non-litigation legal advocacy efforts for the same purposes, including but not limited to administrative advocacy, records requests, and other impactful efforts.
  • Directly supervise the Intake Coordinator and Paralegal, which primarily includes regular meetings, annual goal setting and reviews, and professional development for those positions.
  • Oversee the ACLU of Utah’s responses to requests for assistance received through the intake process, which is managed by the Intake Coordinator, including formulating specific and general responses to help requests and determining the process or providing direct assistance in specific cases and ensuring that such assistance is provided by the legal department or other departments in the ACLU of Utah.
  • Assist and collaborate with other departments as part of the ACLU of Utah’s integrated advocacy approach to achieving high impact and strategic organizational goals, including analyzing proposed legislation reviewing communications materials, and crafting and executing campaign plans.
  • Assist in public education efforts, including speaking to press outlets regarding ACLU of Utah cases and other relevant issues, preparing and editing Know-Your-Rights materials, and participating in public presentations.
  • Provide support as requested to the Development Director in engaging with donors and supporters.
  • Assist in efforts to recruit cooperating attorneys and other legal partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified candidates will have:

  • An active license to practice law in Utah or ability to obtain one as soon as possible but within approximately six months after hire date;
  • At least five years’ litigation experience, including activities such as drafting pleadings, preparing and responding to discovery, conducting and defending depositions, writing trial and appellate briefs; examining witnesses; assisting in all aspects of trial; and arguing motions or appeals;
  • Two years’ experience in directly or indirectly managing the work of others, preferably legal staff;
  • Exceptional leadership and teamwork skills;
  • Ability to effectively work independently;
  • Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills;
  • Experience working on a team with shared goals or objectives, preferably including team members from other firms or organizations;
  • Familiarity with public policy or legislative analysis and recommendations;
  • A strong commitment to diversity- a personal approach that values the individual and respects difference of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, involvement with the criminal legal justice system, and socio-economic circumstance;
  • Ability to speak in public or otherwise communicate with large groups of community members on nuanced civil rights issues;
  • Ability to communicate with and learn from diverse audiences and community members through lenses of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging;
  • A demonstrated commitment, through previous professional, volunteer or lived experience, to civil rights and civil liberties;

Strong candidates will also have

  • Fluency in Spanish or other commonly-spoken non-English language in Utah;
  • Some experience in cases involving the rights of Native American people and nations.

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work at a computer for multiple hours per day;
  • Ability to participate in person at court and at times in other settings;
  • Ability to travel short distances within Salt Lake City and its immediate vicinity.

Work Environment

Hybrid work requirement consisting of approximately a 40-hour work week, with work from home permitted when work responsibility allows.

 

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $73,000-78,000, depending on experience. Excellent benefits include paid time off, medical, vision, and dental insurance, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching contribution that vests after one year of employment.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter for your application to be considered. Application review will begin in February and will continue until the position is filled.

Apply Today!

Founded in 1958, the ACLU of Utah is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that utilizes legal, legislative, and public education approaches to fight for individual rights and fundamental freedoms. Our mission is to defend and promote the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, including reproductive freedom, immigrant rights, free speech, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The ACLU of Utah is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage and greatly value applications from women, people of color, immigrants, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

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