Job: Legal Director-ACLU of Montana

Jobing Description

October 3, 2011

LEGAL DIRECTOR ACLU OF MONTANA

The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana (ACLU of Montana) invites applications for a full-time Legal Director based in Missoula to supervise and administer an established statewide legal program. The ACLU/MT is an affiliate of the national ACLU, founded in 1972 as a private, non-profit organization dedicated to defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This is a remarkable opportunity for a visionary attorney to build on the success of the premier civil liberties and civil rights organization in Montana.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Legal Director works on a wide range of constitutional issues to bring about systemic change through impact-driven litigation and will have the primary responsibility to supervise and administer all of the litigation for the ACLU of Montana Foundation. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Legal Director manages the legal program and maintains an active and vibrant litigation docket following the priorities established by the Board of Directors through its strategic plan. The Legal Director reviews numerous intake complaints and other sources to find cases of statewide significance that affect civil liberties; builds and maintains a network of pro bono cooperating attorneys who take the laboring oar in the litigation; and supervises the legal team, made up of a staff attorney and a paralegal/intake officer, as well as legal interns and clinic students.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Duties

Provides overall direction to the legal program based upon priorities set by Board of Directors. Works with a legal committee as necessary and manages the litigation docket in a timely and professional manner. Must be able to take on representation of clients of the ACLU of Montana at any level of litigation, from preparation of pleadings, to brief writing, writing of memoranda, representation in trial court, and making oral arguments in appellate courts, including the Montana Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Media and Public Spokesperson

Communicates effectively with print and visual media concerning litigation as well as important constitutional issues as necessary, with a focus on those areas established by the Board of Directors in its strategic plan. Must be able to represent to the public the positions and policies of the ACLU in an understandable and intelligible manner.

Representation of ACLU in legal community

Maintains communication and contact with the legal community and develops a network of co-operating attorneys within and outside of the State of Montana.

Supervision

Supervises staff attorney who specializes in jail and prison litigation. Reviews staff attorney work product as necessary and mentors staff attorney.

Supervises intake officer/paralegal to assure an efficient process for reviewing complaints and maintaining a case management system.

Works with supervising attorneys at University of Montana School of Law to maintain clinical program to assure a worthwhile learning experience for law students.

Supervises legal interns to assure high quality work is produced.

Management

Manages operation of legal program through coordination with Executive Director, other ACLU staff and network of co-operating attorneys.

Assures that the complaint intake system is working properly, that new cases are identified in a timely manner, that court deadlines are being met and that litigation is handled in a professional manner.

Coordination

Works closely with the Executive Director, the Public Policy Director and Communications Director to assure coordination with other programs and priorities within the ACLU of Montana. Must be able to work closely and coordinate with staff from the National ACLU and is aware of national strategies to improve protections of civil liberties.

Accountability

Prepares quarterly reports to the Board of Directors and Executive Director regarding the status of litigation and legal program projects.

Presents quarterly reports to the Board of Directors at their meetings.

Presents report to membership of ACLU at annual meeting regarding status of legal program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Position Requirements

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Must have extensive familiarity with the working and operation of state and local government, and Montana and federal constitutional law. If applicant is not currently a member of the Montana State Bar, he/she must take and pass the Montana bar exam within a mutually agreed upon time frame.

5 years or the equivalent of progressively responsible legal experience, with an emphasis in civil rights or constitutional law (extraordinary candidates with less experience may be considered).

Litigation experience, including appellate experience, is preferred.

Knowledge and familiarity with the criminal justice system is preferred.

Management experience is preferred.

Skills and Knowledge:

Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Proven ability to effectively communicate complex legal issues both in the courtroom and to the public.

Demonstrated capacity to handle numerous deadlines and work in stressful environment that often requires coordination with legal teams to manage litigation in a timely and professional manner.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits provided include paid vacation, medical insurance, and paid holidays.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, email a letter of application and resume to Katy Heitstuman [katyh@aclumontana.org] or mail it to ACLU, PO Box 1317, Helena, MT 59624. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The ACLU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages

qualified individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, disability,

sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.

The ACLU of Montana comprises two separate corporate entities, the ACLU of Montana and the ACLU of Montana Foundation. The ACLU of Montana and the ACLU of Montana Foundation share the same mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name ACLU of Montana.

To learn more about the work of the ACLU and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit www.aclumontana.org and www.aclu.org.