Legal Director-ACLU of Tennessee
Location: , Tennessee
Description: ACLU is looking of Legal Director-ACLU of Tennessee right now, this vacancy will be assigned in Tennessee. Detailed specification about this vacancy opportunity kindly see the descriptions. Legal Director
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) seeks a dynamic and visionary Legal Director. The Legal Director is a member of the ACLU of Tennessee’s leadership team and is, under the direction of the Executive Director, responsible for leading the organization’s legal program, which includes building a robust docket, and ensuring that it advances the ACLU’s strategic priorities.
The ACLU of Tennessee, headquartered in Nashville, is the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation’s largest civil liberties and civil rights organization. The ACLU of Tennessee, founded in 1968, is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization that works to promote and defend civil rights and civil liberties through advocacy, legal, legislative and public education initiatives. The ACLU of Tennessee is participating in a national program that seeks to invest in state affiliates where resources are few and the needs are great. Aided by this investment, the ACLU of Tennessee plans to grow significantly over the next several years.
ACLU has been a leader in moving freedom forward in Tennessee for over 9 decades. In 1925, when John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in a Dayton, TN public school classroom, ACLU cooperating attorney Clarence Darrow defended him. In the era of segregation, ACLU spoke out for racial equality and the right to assemble, including representing Dr. Martin Luther King. In recent years, we have successfully pursued cutting edge litigation on a range of issues including religious freedom, LGBT equality, freedom of speech, voting rights, immigrant rights, and reproductive freedom.
Primary Responsibilities include :
Manage all aspects of the legal docket; conduct and oversee complex litigation in Federal and State court in civil rights and constitutional cases, including overseeing all aspects of discovery, motion practice, briefs, trials, appellate work, and amicus briefing;
Recruit and collaborate with volunteer attorneys to build the ACLU’s docket by engaging them in ACLU sponsored litigation, including research, brief writing, depositions, and trial work. Ensure that volunteer attorneys and legal interns are well trained in substantive areas of the law, sound legal practice, and organizational operations;
Supervise the paralegal and potentially additional legal staff budget-permitting;
Research civil liberties issues and draft legal memoranda, and demand letters;
Ensure that legal program adheres to highest standards of legal and professional ethics;
Collaborate internally with the Communications, Public Policy, and Development departments to advance the ACLU’s priority campaigns ensuring maximum media exposure, coordinating policy and legal advocacy tactics, and developing financial resources to grow.
Develop and maintain relationships with our partners including the legal staff at the National ACLU, other affiliates, legal services agencies, and law firms;
Keep the Executive Director informed of significant legal developments; consult with the Executive Director on priority and complex issues and resource requirements;
Engage in public speaking, articulating the ACLU’s views to the public on a broad range of issues;
As part of senior leadership team, assist Executive Director in building strong team spirit, create professional growth opportunities and foster a work environment that encourages independent judgment and values self-starters;
Monitor annual litigation budget and expenses throughout the year, seeking adjustments as needed, ensuring bottom-line budgetâ€"to-actual performance;
Qualifications :
JD from an accredited law school; at least 5 years practice as a litigator, with trial and appellate experience in federal courts, particularly complex litigation of constitutional issues. Experience in non-profit advocacy or other community-based groups is also valuable.
Licensed to practice law in the state of Tennessee (or licensed in another state and qualified to apply for admission in Tennessee);
Exceptional analytical, writing, and speaking skills.
Substantive knowledge of constitutional law and civil liberties issues as well as the ability to think creatively and to use non-litigation strategies to promote objectives;
Demonstrated commitment to the preservation and vigorous enforcement of civil liberties and firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.
Demonstrated leadership skills, including supervising legal staff and coordinating with both internal and external partners.
Superb organization skills with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
Willingness to work beyond 9 to 5 workday, with occasional travel required for national and statewide meetings.
Sense of humor in order to maintain perspective and balance
To Apply :
All applications will be treated confidentially. Please send 1) a letter describing interest in the position; 2) résumé; 3) a writing sample; and 4) salary history by email to hedy@aclu-tn.org â€" reference Legal Director in subject line â€" or by mail to:
ACLU of Tennessee
RE: Legal Director
P.O. Box 120160
Nashville, TN 37212.
No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Start date no later than October 1, 2012.
Compensation :
Salary is commensurate with experience, qualifications, and other public interest organizations. Excellent benefits package.
The ACLU of Tennessee is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
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If you were eligible to this vacancy, please deliver us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to ACLU.
Interested on this vacancy, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This vacancy will be started on: Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:31:44 GMT
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