The ACLU of Utah Foundation seeks to hire an experienced Legal Director. The Legal Director position leads legal advocacy efforts, including but not limited to litigation, at the ACLU of Utah.

The Legal Director is a full-time, salaried, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. The Legal Director is a strategic leader who works collaboratively to develop and manage the Legal Department’s impact litigation docket to challenge laws, policies, and other government actions that violate the civil rights and individual liberties of Utahns. The Legal Director also supervises the Legal Department’s legal advocacy efforts, including amicus briefs and administrative complaints to state and federal agencies. In addition to leading the Legal Department, the Legal Director works in an integrated manner with ACLU of Utah staff, national ACLU staff, coalition partners, and others to advance advocacy efforts and strategic priorities. The Legal Director convenes the ACLU of Utah Legal Panel and helps recruit and work successfully with cooperating attorneys.

Position Responsibilities:

Legal Work, Management, and Supervision:

Manage and develop an ambitious docket that advances ACLU of Utah strategic priorities in civil rights and liberties through impact litigation and other legal advocacy.

Act as a lead attorney for the affiliate in actively litigating cases in state and federal courts, including conducting factual and legal research, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, and negotiating settlements.

Manage staff attorneys in their work on litigation, projects with other departments, and supervision of fellows, interns, and legal support staff, including paralegal and intake staff.

Organizational Leadership & Strategy:

Collaborate with ACLU of Utah staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies that utilize legal, communications, public education, legislative, and field organizing.

Develop relationships with external stakeholders, including issue coalitions, allies, people in impacted communities, and other important constituencies.

Ensure that strategic plans for the Legal Department and specific litigation and legal advocacy projects align with the organization’s strategic priorities.

Qualifications:

Qualified Candidates Will Have:

JD from an accredited law school, admission to the Utah State Bar, U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, or the ability to obtain such admissions within a reasonable time after starting the position.
Strong leadership skills including the ability to be a collaborative and communicative member of the Leadership Team of the ACLU of Utah affiliate and manage the performance of the Legal Department.
4+ years minimum experience litigating cases, with a significant portion of that experience in a substantial or lead role (ideally from pre-suit through trial or decision on the merits and appeals).

Salary & Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000 depending on experience. Excellent benefits that expand total compensation include:

PTO for vacation & health care leave totaling 24+ days annually;
Paid parental leave for new parents;
13 paid holidays & 2 floating holidays;
401(k) plan with employer matching contribution up to 5.5% with a 1-year vesting schedule;
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with premiums covered 100% for employees & 50% for dependents by the ACLU of Utah;
Life & Disability insurance covered 100% by the ACLU of Utah for employees;
Employee Assistance Programs that provide comprehensive and confidential services from counseling to eldercare services to work-life resources;
Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare expenses;
A commitment to professional growth and development including coverage for expenses for CLE credits.

*Founded in 1958, the ACLU of Utah is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that utilizes legal, legislative, organizing, 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. and Utah Constitutions, including reproductive freedom, immigrant rights, free speech, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, LGBTQ rights, and more. For more information, please visit www.acluutah.org

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Legal Director