The ACLU of Arizona works to advance equity and dismantle systemic injustice through legal action, policy advocacy, and mobilizing our communities to protect the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans. We are excited to announce the search for an experienced attorney to lead advocacy to proactively advance voting rights and defend against threats to democracy in Arizona.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Voting Rights Attorney is responsible for identifying and investigating issues impacting the right to vote, elections administration, and other threats to democratic norms and institutions in Arizona. The attorney may be involved in litigation (typically in co-counsel teams including outside cooperating attorneys), investigating, filing, and litigating cases in both federal and state courts. They will also support our state legislative efforts and local campaigns to advance democracy. The attorney will work in collaboration with local coalition partners, conduct community outreach, and represent the ACLU of Arizona publicly, speaking to the media and others.
The attorney will work closely with ACLU of Arizona organizers, communications, legal, and policy staff on cases, advocacy projects, and campaigns in support of ACLU of Arizona’s “integrated advocacy” model that unites legal, policy, organizing, and communications for maximum impact.
The attorney will not be responsible for supervising paid staff but may supervise interns and other volunteers as assigned. The position is full-time and based in Arizona.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Starting Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000 DOE
Deadline to Apply: Open until filled with preference given to applicants who submit their materials by December 18, 2023.
Supervision: This position reports to the Legal Director
Classification: Full-time, exempt. This is a two-year grant funded position.
POSTION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Investigate, research, and analyze legal and policy issues impacting voting rights and democracy in Arizona. Draft legal memoranda, policy positions, and other summaries of investigations and research.
- Develop legal strategies and litigate cases in state or federal courts. This includes conducting factual and legal research, leading litigation teams potentially with multiple co-counsel, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, writing demand letters, drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, arguing motions, trying cases in court, handling appeals and amicus briefs, and negotiating settlements.
- Provide legal research and analysis on legislative proposals, occasionally testify on voting rights and democracy issues in front of state and local bodies.
- Collaborate closely with the organizing team to support democracy- related ACLU of Arizona campaigns.
- Engage in public speaking, media interviews, outreach and "know your rights" presentations, as well as writing op-eds, newsletter articles, and reports as needed or assigned.
- Provide technical support to community stakeholders and partners.
- Participate in intra-organizational work, including strategic planning, internal meetings, and collaboration with other ACLU affiliates and the National ACLU.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Be an active contributor to the organization and legal department’s efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our legal program and litigation can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our goals, plans and work with volunteers, leaders and partners.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5-7 years of policy or legal experience with preference to applicants who have worked in the voting rights area and have civil litigation experience
- J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
- Membership in the Arizona Bar or eligibility for admission on motion
- Excellent research, writing, analytic and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to independently investigate, research, and develop issues for legal advocacy and/or litigation
- Demonstrated ability to analyze legislation, develop policy positions, and propose reforms and solutions
- Experience analyzing complex issues and concisely communicating them to a variety of audiences
- Experience managing highly collaborative and complex projects or initiatives
- Strong commitment to working collaboratively and effectively with colleagues in organizing, policy, legal and communications to achieve shared goals
- Ability to cultivate relationships with ideologically diverse stakeholders
- Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, to manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust to frequently changing demands
- Commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU of Arizona
Cultural Responsibility: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Working Conditions: The ACLU of Arizona offices are generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Inputting information into a computer for long periods of time.
- Work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Periodically work long and extended hours.
- Regular travel across the state of Arizona as needed.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. Please note that some in-person attendance at the office is required however most day-to-day work can be done remotely.
Why work for ACLU of Arizona?
Time off: Staff get 15 vacation days their first three years; 20 days after four years. We offer an additional 17 days off for holidays and personal days.
Benefits package: We cover 100% of health, vision, and dental insurance for employees. We provide life and disability insurance, as well as reimbursement of some out-of-pocket healthcare related expenses. Staff are reimbursed for cell phones and home internet if working from home.
401k Plan: We want you to be prepared for retirement! We match 100% of the first 1% of your salary deferred to your 401k, plus 50% of the next 5% of your salary contribution. And then, we contribute an additional 2% of your salary contribution each pay period.
Commitment to our staff: We invest in staff growth and professional development opportunities and are committed to providing regular feedback and opportunities for advancement.
Crystal clear focus: Our team focuses on some of the most important and urgent issues of our times – from abortion rights, voting rights and democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal legal reform, immigrant rights, border justice, and racial justice.
Our team is amazing: You will be working with incredibly dedicated, smart, and caring people who know how to have fun while getting a lot done in a low-ego environment. In addition to your Arizona colleagues, you will become part of a national network of ACLU staff in all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico!
How to Apply
Email your resume, cover letter, two professional references, and a writing sample of no more than 10 pages to jobs@acluaz.org. Include “Voting Rights Attorney” in the subject line and how you heard about the position. In the cover letter, in addition to your qualifications, please make sure to answer the following questions:
1) Why you are interested in working at ACLU of Arizona; and
2) How have you demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in your professional work?
No phone calls or walk-ins, please.
The ACLU of Arizona undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure 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 jobs@acluaz.org
Deadline: Open until filled with preference given to applicants who submit their materials by December 18, 2023.
The ACLU of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage 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.