Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney

Company: American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Work Arrangement: Hybrid — Nashville office 8 days per month
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Travel: Required throughout Tennessee; occasional travel for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development
Salary:

• Staff Attorney: $85,000–$90,000 annually
• Senior Staff Attorney: $95,000–$100,000 annually
  Relocation: Candidates residing outside Tennessee may apply, but relocation to Tennessee is required

Position Summary

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee seeks an attorney to join its legal team and advance its mission through litigation and integrated, nonlitigation advocacy to protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights in Tennessee.

The position may be filled at either the Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney level, depending on the selected candidate's experience, skills, and organizational needs.

Reporting to the Legal Director, the attorney will contribute to a dynamic docket of cases and advocacy initiatives and collaborate across the organization and with external partners, including community organizations, advocates, and cooperating attorneys. The attorney will use litigation as part of broader organization-wide strategies to achieve systemic reform and policy change.

Responsibilities

• Litigate a wide range of civil rights and civil liberties cases in state and federal courts.
• Conduct factual investigations and legal research.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and memoranda.
• Engage in discovery, including taking and defending depositions.
• Examine witnesses and present evidence at hearings and trials.
• Participate in oral advocacy at trial and appellate levels.
• Negotiate settlements and draft related agreements.
• Identify, investigate, and develop new cases, including client outreach, intake, and relationship-building.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments and external partners, including co-counsel, cooperating attorneys, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and legal advice concerning litigation, legislation, and advocacy.
• Develop and maintain relationships with legal associations, pro bono counsel, partners, and coalitions.
• Contribute to integrated advocacy strategies, including policy, legislative, community engagement, and communications efforts.
• Provide legal analysis and support for organizational campaigns and strategic initiatives.
• Engage in public education, coalition work, and community outreach.
• Deliver presentations, trainings, and continuing legal education programs.
• Serve as a representative or spokesperson for the organization on legal issues and cases, in collaboration with the Communications Department.
• Travel as needed for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development.

Staff Attorney Qualifications

Candidates at the Staff Attorney level typically:

• Have approximately 3–8 years of relevant legal experience.
• Have experience supporting or handling components of litigation, including legal research, drafting, and discovery.
• May have some experience with depositions, hearings, or trials and be continuing to build litigation expertise.
• Work under the guidance of senior attorneys while developing increasing independence and case responsibility.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Senior Staff Attorney Qualifications

Candidates at the Senior Staff Attorney level typically:

• Have significant litigation experience, generally 8+ years, including substantial state and/or federal court experience.
• Manage cases from investigation through resolution with a high degree of independence.
• Serve as lead counsel in complex litigation, including trials, evidentiary hearings, and appeals.
• Have meaningful experience taking and defending depositions, examining witnesses, and shaping litigation strategy.
• Mentor junior attorneys, fellows, and interns.
• Coordinate with and provide guidance to co-counsel, cooperating counsel, and litigation partners.
• Contribute to organizational strategy, including identifying opportunities for impact litigation and systemic reform.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Final level determination will be based on experience, qualifications, and organizational needs.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in Tennessee or eligibility and willingness to promptly seek admission.
• Demonstrated interest in or commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, or public interest law.
• Exceptionally strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment and ability to navigate complex or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within and across teams and with external partners.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Commitment to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
• Willingness to work occasional weekend and evening hours and travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive litigation experience, including clerkships, particularly trial and appellate work.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, such as serving as lead counsel on a litigation or project team.
• Experience with complex or impact litigation, including constitutional claims, Section 1983 cases, and class actions.
• Experience with oral argument, depositions, evidentiary hearings, and motions practice.
• Subject-matter expertise in areas such as voting rights, criminal legal system reform, First Amendment rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice.
• Experience with legislative, policy, or administrative advocacy and community-based organizations.
• Experience with press strategies for advocacy, including print, audio, and video media.
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, and community events.
• Experience working with or representing vulnerable clients.
• Language proficiency relevant to the communities served.

Work Environment

ACLU-TN operates in a hybrid work environment. Staff are expected to work from the Nashville office eight days per month, including all-staff in-office days on Monday and Tuesday of the first and third full weeks of each month.

Candidates residing outside Tennessee will be considered, with the understanding that relocation to Tennessee is required. The position also requires travel throughout Tennessee.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with salary based on experience and position level:

• Staff Attorney: $85,000–$90,000 annually
• Senior Staff Attorney: $95,000–$100,000 annually

Benefits include:

• Minimum of 15 vacation days
• 12 sick days
• 2 personal days
• At least 13 recognized holidays
• 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending account
• 401(k) retirement contribution with employer match
• 12 weeks parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Annual professional development stipend
• Office snacks

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Professional writing sample
• Three professional references, including at least one prior supervisor

References will not be contacted without prior authorization.