Deputy Legal Director

The role

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) is seeking a Deputy Legal Director to co-lead the legal department, design and litigate high-impact litigation, and help develop and execute strategic plans for the growth of ACLU-NJ’s legal advocacy. This position will be based in Newark with a hybrid work schedule.

What you'll do

• Fulfill the duties of the Legal Director in their absence
• Collaborate with the Legal Director and supervision team on strategic decisions and share responsibility for implementing them
• Assume significant responsibility for the management of the legal department, including supervision of attorneys and other staff, and for the development, improvement, and implementation of internal systems and best practices
• Establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with community partners, coalitions, stakeholders, ACLU-NJ staff and colleagues from other ACLU offices
• Assist and/or lead in the hiring, development, mentoring, and supervision of attorneys, legal administrative staff, and interns
• Supervises the Legal Department Manager and supports the smooth operation and administration of the Legal Department
• Contribute to a work culture that centers racial justice, inclusion, participation, and collaboration
• Engage in special projects and other duties assigned
• Lead or supervise a wide range of federal and state litigation, including complex, class-action, and administrative matters
• Investigate, develop, and litigate civil liberties and civil rights cases, serving as lead attorney and/or co-counsel with external partners
• Lead development of legal strategy that aligns with ACLU-NJ’s issue priorities and identify opportunities to advance and expand the litigation and legal advocacy docket
• Develop and manage cocounsel relationships, including strengthening relationships with law firms and law schools
• Collaborate with the political advocacy and communications departments to support organizational priorities and campaigns and align legal department work when possible
• Assist with developing internal communications strategies for timely updates about the work of the legal department across the organization
• Serve as a legal resource to other departments, including Communications, Political Advocacy, and Development
• Engage in public speaking and represent ACLU-NJ positions and litigation to diverse audiences, including to the media, with community groups, and at conferences and programs
• Respond to the requests from community partners, potentially on an emergency and immediate basis

What it takes

• At least 8 years of experience as a full-time litigator, including experience with complex matters involving civil rights and constitutional law
• Either a license to practice law in New Jersey or eligible for admission within twelve months of employment
• Excellence in supervising legal work, lead case teams, and directly supervise attorneys
• Demonstrated experience with complex legal analysis, creative problem-solving, and identifying opportunities to advance the law
• Experience litigating complex civil rights or constitutional matters, including excellent writing and analytical skills
• Experience building strong relationships with lawyers, other staff members, and coalition partners
• Excellence in synthesizing complex issues and communicating them effectively to diverse audiences, including elected officials, attorneys, judges, community partners, supporters, the media, and the public
• Experience in developing and implementing internal systems for legal departments
• Strong project and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects, a high level of organization, the ability to meet deadlines, and attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to the ACLU-NJ’s mission and experience incorporating racial justice principles into legal work
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the state of New Jersey, and occasionally to other states for conferences and training
• Experience speaking with the media or engaging in strategic communications

What you'll bring

How we treat you

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

How to apply

Apply directly on American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ)'s site. We link straight through — no resume parsing, no profile to fill out.

This listing is aggregated from a third-party source and its summary may be auto-generated, so details can be inaccurate or out of date. ForGood is not the employer and is not liable for the content — please verify everything on American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ)'s official posting before applying.