ACLU of Southern California
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
About The ACLU Foundation Of Southern California Founded in 1923, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (“ACLU SoCal”) has been at the forefront of many major efforts to protect civil liberties, civil rights, and equal justice in California. Principled and nonpartisan, ACLU SoCal has offices in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire (San Bernardino), and Kern County (Bakersfield). ACLU SoCal tackles a vast array of issues, including the criminal legal system, police practices, First Amendment rights, voting rights, gender equity, reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, immigrants’ rights, education equity, and economic justice.
Position Overview ACLU SoCal’s Advocacy Department seeks a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Justice and Police Practices project. The Staff Attorney will develop and litigate state and federal cases and engage in legislative and policy advocacy on criminal legal reform and policing issues, with an emphasis on Orange County-based advocacy. This includes representing ACLU SoCal in statewide and local advocacy on criminal legal system and policing issues that promote decarceration, law enforcement agency transparency, officer accountability, the development of alternatives to policing and incarceration, and the challenge of bias, discrimination and systemic injustice.
The Staff Attorney will be expected to attend in-person meetings in and around Southern California, particularly in Orange County, and to travel throughout the Southern California region with occasional trips to Sacramento. The role also involves helping create and implement community‑based, holistic, and transformative public safety and care campaigns, providing technical assistance to coalitions and partners, and collaborating with the Communications Department on advocacy initiatives. The Staff Attorney will report to the Director of Criminal Justice and Police Practices or their designee and work with other ACLU SoCal attorneys, policy advocates, and organizers.
This is a full‑time, exempt bargaining unit position in the National Organization of Legal Services Workers union.
Qualifications
Admitted to practice law in California or willingness to take the California bar exam.
Excellent research, writing, analytic, and speaking skills.
Ability to develop and litigate impact cases.
Ability to work in diverse coalitions and develop and implement advocacy campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to participate in, create, and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces for all.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, build strong relationships, and collaborate.
Deep commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, especially criminal legal system and policing issues.
Travel within Southern California and occasionally to other parts of the state.
Strong project and time management skills, including high organization, attention to detail, and follow‑through while balancing multiple responsibilities.
Willingness to work occasional weekend and evening hours as needed.
Ability to supervise interns.
Desired
Experience in the criminal legal system with an emphasis on policing, civil rights, and/or social justice issues in Southern California.
Personal experience with the criminal legal system, including being formerly incarcerated, is encouraged.
Commitment and track record of intersectional advocacy.
Experience building and working effectively with coalitions.
Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, and other community events.
Spanish language fluency.
Racial Equity Competencies
Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understanding of racial equity, including structural racism, white privilege, and anti‑Blackness.
Recognize how race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
Identify and disrupt bias in work and team processes.
Adhere to organization’s racial equity policies and procedures, including hiring, retention, and promotion.
Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $86,474 – $106,352 based on year of law school graduation.
Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents; life and long‑term, short‑term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; ample vacation and sick leave and twenty‑two paid holidays.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About The ACLU Foundation Of Southern California Founded in 1923, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (“ACLU SoCal”) has been at the forefront of many major efforts to protect civil liberties, civil rights, and equal justice in California. Principled and nonpartisan, ACLU SoCal has offices in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire (San Bernardino), and Kern County (Bakersfield). ACLU SoCal tackles a vast array of issues, including the criminal legal system, police practices, First Amendment rights, voting rights, gender equity, reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, immigrants’ rights, education equity, and economic justice.
Position Overview ACLU SoCal’s Advocacy Department seeks a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Justice and Police Practices project. The Staff Attorney will develop and litigate state and federal cases and engage in legislative and policy advocacy on criminal legal reform and policing issues, with an emphasis on Orange County-based advocacy. This includes representing ACLU SoCal in statewide and local advocacy on criminal legal system and policing issues that promote decarceration, law enforcement agency transparency, officer accountability, the development of alternatives to policing and incarceration, and the challenge of bias, discrimination and systemic injustice.
The Staff Attorney will be expected to attend in-person meetings in and around Southern California, particularly in Orange County, and to travel throughout the Southern California region with occasional trips to Sacramento. The role also involves helping create and implement community‑based, holistic, and transformative public safety and care campaigns, providing technical assistance to coalitions and partners, and collaborating with the Communications Department on advocacy initiatives. The Staff Attorney will report to the Director of Criminal Justice and Police Practices or their designee and work with other ACLU SoCal attorneys, policy advocates, and organizers.
This is a full‑time, exempt bargaining unit position in the National Organization of Legal Services Workers union.
Qualifications
Admitted to practice law in California or willingness to take the California bar exam.
Excellent research, writing, analytic, and speaking skills.
Ability to develop and litigate impact cases.
Ability to work in diverse coalitions and develop and implement advocacy campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to participate in, create, and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces for all.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, build strong relationships, and collaborate.
Deep commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, especially criminal legal system and policing issues.
Travel within Southern California and occasionally to other parts of the state.
Strong project and time management skills, including high organization, attention to detail, and follow‑through while balancing multiple responsibilities.
Willingness to work occasional weekend and evening hours as needed.
Ability to supervise interns.
Desired
Experience in the criminal legal system with an emphasis on policing, civil rights, and/or social justice issues in Southern California.
Personal experience with the criminal legal system, including being formerly incarcerated, is encouraged.
Commitment and track record of intersectional advocacy.
Experience building and working effectively with coalitions.
Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, and other community events.
Spanish language fluency.
Racial Equity Competencies
Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understanding of racial equity, including structural racism, white privilege, and anti‑Blackness.
Recognize how race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
Identify and disrupt bias in work and team processes.
Adhere to organization’s racial equity policies and procedures, including hiring, retention, and promotion.
Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $86,474 – $106,352 based on year of law school graduation.
Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members and their eligible dependents; life and long‑term, short‑term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; ample vacation and sick leave and twenty‑two paid holidays.
#J-18808-Ljbffr