Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, Immigrants' Rights Project
ACLU - National Office
| Company | ACLU - National Office |
| Category | Legal & Compliance |
| Location | New York |
| Remote | On-site (inferred) |
| Employment | Not stated |
| Level | Senior |
| Salary | Not stated by the employer |
| Posted | 10 Aug 2026 |
| Last verified | 10 Aug 2026 |
| Source | Employer ATS (greenhouse) |
Description
ABOUT THE JOB
The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel, in the Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY or San Francisco, CA. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
The Immigrants’ Rights Project is part of the Legal Department of the national ACLU and has offices in New York and San Francisco. For nearly 40 years, the Project has litigated in trial and appellate courts across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of immigrants and seek equal justice under the law. Our work has focused on due process, access to the courts, unfair detention, equal treatment, and state and local laws and policies. For example, we have challenged attacks on birthright citizenship; removals under the Alien Enemies Act; the targeting of student activists for arrest, detention, and deportation; family separation; the Muslim ban; multiple attacks on the asylum system; indefinite and mandatory detention; immigration detainers; state and local anti-immigrant laws; racial and language profiling connected to immigration enforcement; and attempts to eliminate judicial review. We work closely with partners at the national ACLU and affiliates, as well as allied organizations, to pursue litigation and to engage in and support other forms of advocacy and education.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Reporting to the Deputy Project Director or Project Director , the Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney, or Senior Counsel will conduct impact litigation and advocacy to advance and enforce immigrants ’ rights.
YOUR DAY TO DAY
Litigating in federal courts throughout the country and potentially in state courts
Handling a substantial caseload in federal court, working closely with other staff attorneys, local counsel, immigrant rights organizations, and clients
Conducting legal research and writing legal memoranda
Organizing and participating in multi-organization rapid responses to immigration enforcement events
Fact-gathering through interviews and investigations
Analyzing legislation for potential litigation
Drafting pleadings and briefs, engaging in discovery and motion practice, and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments
Providing technical assistance and expert legal advice to local ACLU affiliates, cooperating attorneys and others who seek assistance from the Project
Conducting policy advocacy on immigrants’ rights
Developing new cases and non-litigation advocacy projects
Engaging in public speaking and articulating ACLU views to a variety of audiences on a broad range of immigrants’ rights issues
Supervising paralegals and legal interns
FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL
Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
J.D. degree and active Bar membership in NY or CA (based on office assignment)
A minimum of two years complex civil litigation experience in federal courts
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team. Ability to foster and contribute to a collaborative team environment
Excellent legal research and writing&n