The Staff Attorney will represent clients in litigation and other forms of dispute resolution to protect their civil liberties, with an emphasis on impact litigation that furthers our policy priorities.

Legal Program

• Researching, investigating, developing, and litigating impact litigation in state and federal courts to protect civil liberties and civil rights in cases consistent with our strategic policy
  priorities. This includes conducting factual and legal research, preparing memoranda, writing demand letters, drafting pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery, arguing motions, trying cases, writing appellate briefs, presenting oral arguments on appeal, and writing amicus briefs.
• Doing legal research, investigating facts, identifying clients, and developing professional relationships with them, negotiating with opposing parties, and handling all aspects of trials and appeals.
• Handling cases independently, with other members of the legal staff, with pro bono cooperating lawyers, and with other ACLU-affiliated lawyers.
• Drafting amicus briefs in cases of constitutional significance.
• Recruiting and working with volunteer attorneys, interns, and externs.
• Working with and mentoring other attorneys to help them develop and expand their litigation skills and constitutional law expertise.

Advocacy & Community Engagement

• Doing non-litigation advocacy, including supporting partnerships with community organizations, helping with outreach and know-your-rights presentations, public speaking, and interacting with the media.
• Working with other ACLU-MN staff to implement integrated-advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies using ACLU-MN’s communication, legislative, community outreach/organizing, and legal programs.
• Working with community engagement staff to engage with the community by building and nurturing relationships and participating in regular conversations with community members, partners, and leaders.
• Presenting testimony before legislative bodies and administrative agencies as requested by policy staff.
• Participating in public education on civil liberties issues by speaking at public events and publishing articles and essays.

• Juris Doctorate and at least three (3) years of post-JD litigation work, or commensurate experience, preferably in litigation raising civil liberties and civil rights issues.
• Admitted to practice and in good standing in the Minnesota Supreme Court. (or eligible for admission within six months of hire date).
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state law, and policy, particularly as they apply to the judicial branch.
• Demonstrated outstanding judgment and critical thinking skills with examples of developing and executing comprehensive legal strategies that support the organization’s mission and desired outcome; the ability to assimilate and balance many different views and interests of various constituent groups is critical.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff, coalitions, and community groups.
• Exceptional skills in legal research and writing, complex legal analysis, interviewing and fact investigation, oral advocacy, negotiation, and interpersonal communication.
• Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to juries, judges, elected officials, the media, and the general public.

• Mission Alignment: A strong, demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties that align with the mission and goals of the ACLU.
• Community Engagement: Experience engaging communities disproportionately affected by civil liberties and civil rights issues, historically underrepresented in the legal profession and most affected by ACLU-MN’s work, paired with the cultural competence to collaborate cooperatively with diverse community organizations. Relevant professional, community-based, advocacy, or lived experience may contribute to a candidate’s demonstrated understanding of the communities most affected by ACLU-MN’s work.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Demonstrated ability to build trust, lead inclusively, and work effectively across differences, including with staff, clients, partners, and communities whose identities, backgrounds, geographic locations, socioeconomic circumstances, or lived experiences differ from one’s own.
• Adaptability, organizational skills, and self-motivation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and collaborate with other lawyers.

We appreciate candidates who also bring...

Proficiency in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Oromo, or other languages commonly spoken by ACLU-MN clients with limited English proficiency.

Physical Requirements

The position requires regular use of a computer and communication technology and may require travel to meetings, court proceedings, and community events. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Commensurate with experience within the range of $85,000 to $95,000 per year. The ACLU-MN offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, generous time off,
flexible in-person or hybrid work schedules, and substantial professional development opportunities.

This position is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Minnesota Newspaper & Communication Guild, TNG-CWA Local 37002.

We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages 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. The ACLU of Minnesota employs affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities have full employment opportunities in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodation in the application process to contact rhendrix@aclu-mn.org.

The ACLU-MN has two attorney positions that will be open until filled, with a priority deadline of September 25th, 2026.
To be included in the application, be prepared to upload (in Word or PDF format):

1. Resume
2. Letter of interest
3. One legal writing sample of no longer than five pages
4. Links to up to two additional relevant writing samples (optional)
5. A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement (up to ~ 800 words or 1 page) which describes your experiences, personal commitment, and/or values related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
6. Three professional references (list relationship to you, email address, and phone numbers). References will not be contacted unless you are a finalist.