Staff Attorney

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU of Oklahoma Foundation seeks a Staff Attorney in the Legal Department of the ACLU of Oklahoma’s office in Oklahoma City. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Oklahoma and has in-office requirements on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Compensation for this position ranges from $67,000 to $85,000 and is based on the amount and relevance of the candidate’s experience. Relevant experience includes civil rights and federal litigation. The ACLU of Oklahoma also provides benefits that include paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match up to 5.5%, life and long-term disability insurance, generous paid holidays.

We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit applications by March 3, 2025.

ABOUT THE ACLU OF OKLAHOMA

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma (ACLU-OK) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, privately funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of the individual rights secured by the United States and Oklahoma constitutions.

The ACLU-OK comprises of two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, Inc., and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma Foundation. The two corporations share the same overall mission and office space. This position is with the ACLU-OK Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) and eligible employer under the Public Interest Student Loan Forgiveness Program. 

The ACLU-OK is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national nonprofit, non-partisan, voluntary organization founded in 1920. The ACLU is a nationwide network of staffed offices in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Our purpose is to protect the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. The Oklahoma affiliate was established in 1964 and opened its first headquarters in 1973.

We dare to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. We have a proud history of advocating for all Oklahomans for the last 60 years.

The ACLU-OK works closely with its national headquarters in New York, its national lobbying office in Washington, D.C., and affiliates in every state across the country and Puerto Rico. We also work in coalition with many other organizations to improve the quality of life for all by preserving freedom and advancing equity. 

The ACLU-OK is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. The ACLU-OK encourages applicants from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio- economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not drug test. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Reporting to the Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for creating and implementing multi-pronged strategies using litigation and public education to further the ACLU-OK’s strategic goals. 

The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibility is engaging in impact civil rights litigation. Through their work, the Staff Attorney will seek to ensure state and local law and practices comport with the rights guaranteed in the United States and Oklahoma constitution and statutory law. This position offers significant federal litigation experience in Oklahoma district courts and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for making new and creative constitutional legal arguments for the protection and advancement of Oklahoman’s civil rights. 

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Litigating impact civil rights cases, including writing pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery and motion practice, handling hearings and trials, and arguing appeals.
• Developing and implementing non-litigation strategies for reform, including filing public records requests, administrative complaints, and amicus briefs.
• Building relationships with allied civil rights organizations and representing the ACLU-OK in key coalitions.
• Engaging in community outreach and public speaking, including facilitating Know Your Rights trainings and representing ACLU-OK’s positions to the media and to the public.
• Supervising legal interns.

FUTURE ACLU’ERS WILL

• Embed the principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in their work by respecting multiple perspectives and prioritizing justice and systemic equity.
• Center the voices and leadership of people directly impacted by our work in case and co-counsel selection, litigation strategy, legal intern selection and supervision, and community support.
• Maintain a collaborative, respectful, welcoming, and professional work environment for employees and volunteers.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• JD from an ABA accredited law school.
• Membership in the Oklahoma Bar or eligibility for admission on motion.
• Excellent research, writing, analytic, and speaking skills.
• Commitment to civil rights and social justice consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU-OK.
• Willingness to travel within Oklahoma and to, as necessary, work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Fluency with computers, Microsoft Office, and WestLaw.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Federal litigation experience.
• Background in constitutional law, civil rights, and/or public interest.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

• Significant federal litigation experience on the front lines of numerous civil rights movements.
• Appellate experience in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Management experience through supervising legal interns.
• Strong relationships with clients and community leaders as you work together to build better and safer environments for all Oklahomans.
• An expansive, nationwide network of mentors and professional support made up of experts in their fields.
• Professional development in skills like brief drafting and client and media communication.

TO APPLY

Submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample in a combined PDF in that order to jobs@acluok.org. Name the PDF with your full name and “Staff Attorney Application.”

Include “Staff Attorney Application” in the subject line. No in-person applications or phone calls, please. All applications will be treated confidentially.