Full-Time, Exempt

The ACLU of Idaho is seeking an experienced Legal Director to lead our high impact legal program.  The Director holds a key leadership role within the organization and collaborates with internal and external state and federal partners to advance advocacy goals and respond to threats to Idahoans civil rights and liberties. 

The Legal Director will join a dynamic and cohesive team committed to advancing the organizational strategic plan, including racial justice, free expression, criminal justice reform, reproductive freedom, LBGTQ equality, voting rights, and immigrants’ rights.  In addition, the Legal Director will become part of a team committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

In addition to leading a statewide legal program addressing critical issues through advocacy and litigation, the Legal Director will have the opportunity to maintain an individual caseload as lead counsel.  This position is full-time, reports to the Executive Director and requires an Idaho license and residency prior to employment.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

(1) Legal Advocacy (50%) 

• Manage impact litigation by collaborating on case selection with the Executive Director and working with staff attorneys, law fellows, co-counsel, and volunteer attorneys, and maintaining a limited caseload as warranted. 
• Conduct factual and legal research, interview clients and potential witnesses, prepare memoranda, draft pleadings and correspondence, conduct discovery, argue motions, and participate in settlement negotiations.  
• Oversee cases in federal and state courts at trial and appellate level. 
• Build capacity by engaging attorneys to file amicus briefs in cases of constitutional significance.  

(2) Administration, Coordination, and Support (35%) 

• Supervise legal department staff. 
• Foster an organizational culture that empowers staff, encourages professional development and emphasizes a commitment to upholding the highest ethical ideals of the legal profession. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with legal staff at the National ACLU, its projects and other affiliates, and pro bono attorneys. 
• Partner with the Executive Director in ensuring the Legal Department aligns with the vision and strategic priorities of the organization.  

(3) Policy Advocacy/Public Education (15%) 

• Collaborate with ACLU staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies that use legal, communications, public education, legislative, and field organizing simultaneously. 
• Ensure that strategic plans for the ACLU of Idaho legal program, as well as specific litigation and legal advocacy projects, are in line with the organization’s strategic priorities. 
• Serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU to engage in strategic public forums, advocacy discussions and media opportunities. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A J.D. with at least 5 years of litigation experience; preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in constitutional or public interest law and/or federal court litigation. Extraordinary candidates with less experience may be considered. 
• Experience as lead counsel on significant pieces of litigation (ideally from pre-suit through trial or decision on the merits and appeals). 
• At least 5 years experience in recruiting, training, and managing a diverse, high performing team of attorneys and staff. 
• Patience, emotional intelligence, and cultural competency, including the ability to participate in, create, and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces for people with a wide range of races, ethnicities, language proficiencies, abilities, genders, ages, backgrounds, interests, skills, concerns, personalities, and geographies. 
• Clear, strong, and proven commitment to racial justice, civil liberties, public interest work, and the mission of the ACLU of Idaho. 
• Ability to attend in-person meetings, hearings, and events on behalf of the legal department and the ACLU. 
• Valid driving privileges and willingness to travel across Idaho and occasionally to other places in the United States. 
• Current admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction at time of hiring. Admission to Idaho State Bar, U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit within six months of being hired. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Broad knowledge of constitutional, civil rights, and human rights law. 
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred. 
• Experience working with state and local policymaking processes. 

TO APPLY: 

(1) Compile the following into a single PDF file: 

• A résumé. 
• A one- or two-page cover letter that identifies evidence of a clear, strong, and proven commitment to civil liberties and public interest work, and explains how your experience is applicable to the job responsibilities. 
• A legal writing sample, up to 10 pages in length. The writing sample can be an excerpt from a longer piece, such as a brief. 
• Contact information for three references, including at least two legal references, at least one of whom can discuss your litigation skills. 

(2) Send to: careers@acluidaho.org.  

Please reference “Legal Director” in the email subject line and indicate in your cover letter where you found this job listing. 

Review of applications on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled.  

If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying, please e-mail careers@acluidaho.org. If we select you for an interview, you will receive more information about how to request accommodations for the interview process. 

About ACLU of Idaho

The ACLU is the nation’s premier guardian of liberty. A nationwide, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the ACLU is dedicated to defending and expanding civil rights and civil liberties across the country. The ACLU of Idaho and its foundation operate jointly as private nonprofit organizations devoted to furthering the ACLU’s mission in Idaho. The ACLU of Idaho combines legal, policy, organizing and communications approaches to maximize its impact. We partner with individuals and communities impacted by injustices to inform and mobilize people throughout the state. The people in the center of the struggles for justice, who feel the impact in their daily lives, are especially important allies.

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