Immigrants' Rights Attorney

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) seeks experienced applicants for a full-time position of Staff Attorney (Immigrants’ Rights). The Staff Attorney will engage in litigation and advocacy as part of the ACLU-NJ’s strategic priority to protect and expand the rights of immigrants. This position is funded for three years, with a possibility for future extension.

In recent years, the ACLU-NJ has driven powerful legal and policy advocacy, including litigation to protect the rights of farmworkers and children of immigrants, to fight for the health and safety of immigrants in detention and push back against detention expansion, and to limit local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration action, among other work. While the Staff Attorney’s focus will be on Immigrants’ Rights, they will also work on other civil rights and civil liberties priorities as needed.

This three-year term limited position will be supervised by a Senior Staff Attorney and will be based in Newark with a hybrid work schedule where we work in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Organizational Overview  

For more than 60 years, the ACLU of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We are committed to repairing and transforming spaces where constitutional promises have not been delivered.    

In every facet of our work, we strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice in the institutions of New Jersey, for the people of New Jersey. We aim to center the voices and lived experiences of those who historically have not been fully protected by government systems or laws.    

Founded in 1960 and based in Newark, we are a non-partisan organization that operates on several fronts – political, legal, cultural – to bring about systemic change and build a more equitable society.  

As part of an organization that uses an integrated, inter-departmental approach to advocacy, the staff attorney will join a 12+ person legal team that engages in litigation and a wide range of advocacy tools to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and that works collaboratively with policy and communications colleagues to maximize the ACLU-NJ’s impact. All staff attorneys on the legal team are responsible for identifying possible litigation and advocacy; conducting factual and legal research; evaluating legal theory and strategy; identifying, interviewing, and counseling clients and witnesses; writing demand letters; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; working with experts; presenting oral arguments; negotiating settlements; handling appeals; and writing amicus briefs.

Responsibilities

Litigation & Policy Advocacy

• Investigate, develop, and litigate impact cases focused on advancing and protecting immigrants’ rights.
• In collaboration with other departments, engage in broader integrated advocacy campaigns that aim to improve the lives of immigrants, including:
  • Serving as a subject matter expert and advocate, and providing technical and other support for policy work, including analyzing bills and drafting proposed statutory text.
  • Drafting and editing public education and non-litigation advocacy materials.
  • Conducting outreach and advocacy with, and providing technical assistance to, public officials and government bodies

• Build and strengthen relationships and communications with allied organizations, especially groups and coalitions representing detained and non-detained immigrants, border communities, and other targeted populations. This includes representing ACLU-

NJ in key coalitions.

• Engaging in public speaking, including “Know Your Rights” trainings related to immigrants’ rights, and representing ACLU-NJ positions to diverse audiences, including to immigrant communities, to media, to student groups, at conferences, and on panels.
• Provide oversight and support for litigation or advocacy being handled by volunteer attorneys or law students by reviewing legal documents and ensuring alignment on strategy and approach.
• Evaluate how cases, investigations, and projects are inclusive and responsive to community needs and in alignment with organizational priorities.

Leadership & Administration

• Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, ACLU-NJ staff and colleagues from other ACLU offices, especially those working on behalf of immigrant communities.
• Contribute to a collaborative culture that centers racial justice, inclusion, participation, and collaboration.
• Participate in the development of the legal department’s vision, plans, and priorities.
• Assist in the development, mentoring, and supervision of more junior staff, fellows, and interns and in the recruitment and hiring process.
• Provide administrative and organizational support as needed and adhere to internal systems for recordkeeping and information sharing.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications 

The ACLU-NJ anticipates hiring an attorney with at least four years of litigation experience (including clerkships) but will consider all applicants with similar experience and strong advocacy and litigation skills. Attorneys who have completed seven years of experience are eligible for the designation of “Senior Staff Attorney.”

• Admitted to practice law in New Jersey and a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards. If you are currently a member of another state bar, you must be able to obtain your New Jersey license within 12 months of joining the organization.
• Ability to develop and litigate impact cases, including demonstrated ability to conduct thorough fact-finding and investigations with a focus on immigrants’ rights.
• Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, including elected officials, attorneys, judges, community partners, supporters, the media, and the public.
• A strong understanding of and demonstrated commitment to immigrants’ rights and racial justice; a commitment to implementing the ACLU-NJ’s Strategic Framework.  
• Relevant expertise on immigration, detention, border issues, national security, or other related issues is also preferred.
• Excellent at working collaboratively on a variety of projects and building strong relationships with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizers and coalitions.
• Proven project and time management skills, including a high level of organization, the ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the state of New Jersey, and occasionally to other states for conferences and training.
• Ability to manage a demanding schedule and work occasional weekend and evening hours when needed.
• Knowledge of Spanish or other languages likely to be spoken by clients with limited English proficiency in New Jersey is a plus.

Compensation

The ACLU of New Jersey pays staff attorneys in a salary range based on year of law school graduation. For example, a 2020 graduate would start at $87,500. The ACLU-NJ supports and plans for staff member professional growth and skill development through internal and external opportunities. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which currently includes 30 days paid time off, 12 office holidays and 16 health care leave days; medical, vision, and dental insurance; 20 weeks (100 days) paid family leave; life and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

About our Culture

We are a diverse workforce and take pride in our ability to attract and retain employees with a huge array of backgrounds and experiences. We work hard but also like to celebrate our successes. We strive to bring humility, empathy, kindness, and generosity to our work, internally within the organization and externally with our partners and those whom we are serving. We seek to build a work culture with a sense of respect and collegiality, and a willingness to be generous with our expertise and resources.

TO APPLY

If you are excited about bringing your experience to the ACLU-NJ, complete the application by uploading a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. We invite applicants to include in their cover letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. 

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled; at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website.  

The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to race; color; gender, gender identity or expression; religion; sex; national origin or ancestry; age; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people, women, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU-NJ makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email careers@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.