THE OPPORTUNITY
The Reproductive Rights Staff Attorney will operate under an intersectional reproductive justice framework and collaborate with community to protect and advance reproductive rights, health and justice. Working with the ACLU-NM and National ACLU litigation teams and local cooperating attorneys, the Reproductive Rights Staff Attorney will develop, investigate and litigate cases. Additionally, the Reproductive Rights Staff Attorney will lead non-litigation advocacy strategies They will work with the organization’s Communications and Policy departments, coalition partners, a local legal panel, national staff counsel, and cooperating attorneys.
This is an exempt full-time role reporting to the Managing Attorney – Reproductive Rights & Gender Equity and is based in New Mexico.
WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to protect and advance justice, liberty, and equity as guaranteed by the constitutions of New Mexico and the United States. We are committed to ending racism and other inequities. This includes how we work with each other and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit our website at www.aclu-nm.org
Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are core values of the ACLU and central to our work. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Implementing legal strategies, under the direction of the Managing Attorney and Legal Director, to protect and expand reproductive rights and gender equity in New Mexico.
- Collaborating with other ACLU of New Mexico program staff and integrating efforts with other policy, communications and organizing strategies.
- Identifying strategic opportunities for and participating in litigation and administrative advocacy to advance reproductive rights and gender equity. Litigation includes all aspects of discovery, motion practice, trials, and evidentiary hearings, and drafting briefs in trial and appellate courts.
- Providing legal advice and assistance to ACLU of New Mexico clients, as needed.
- Conducting legal research and drafting legal memoranda, demand letters, and advocacy letters.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve public and/or institutional policies related to health care, particularly reproductive health care, for immigrants and their families.
- Investigate and litigate under the direction of the Legal Director select civil liberties and civil rights cases. This includes legal research; drafting pleadings, briefs, and motions; conducting discovery; trial and appellate work in state and/or federal courts.
- Cultivate relationships and partnerships with community partners and local/national attorneys committed to the goals of the project.
- Conduct research, prepare legal memoranda and letters; review or write amicus briefs; provide legal analysis to other senior ACLU staff, and provide project-specific supervision of law students and interns.
- Analyzing and drafting proposed legislation and administrative regulations; tracking legislation; educating lawmakers; preparing legislative memos and talking points; and testifying before legislative committees.
- Ensure that principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) inform all practices and processes.
- Other duties, special projects, and tasks as assigned.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. degree and relevant expertise in reproductive rights, health.
- Understanding of the reproductive justice framework.
- Significant civil litigation experience. Previous experience in constitutional and/or civil rights litigation on the plaintiff’s side is a plus.
- Experience managing a varied and complex docket.
- Member of the State Bar of New Mexico or willingness to become admitted to the New Mexico Bar within one year of hire.
- A strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights and the mission and goals of the ACLU.
- A strong understanding of constitutional law.
- Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical ability.
- Strong communication skills and experience working with diverse communities and cultures.
- Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
- A commitment to equity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
- Ability to travel 1-3 times per year nationally.
- Ability to travel within New Mexico (investigations, client meetings, legislative work)
No one person will have all the qualities enumerated above. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested and feel you could be successful in this role.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary for this role is determined by our litigator pay scale and is based on year of graduation from law school. Based on the experience necessary for this role, we anticipate an annual salary of no less than $75,500. We offer excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance, long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and generous sick and vacation time, family and medical leave policies.
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications are treated confidentially. Please send cover letter no longer than one page and resume by email to HR@aclu-nm.org. Please include “Reproductive Rights Staff Attorney” in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Your letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please. Note: we will not accept resumes that do not include a cover letter.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be evaluating applications on a rolling basis beginning on October 15, 2023.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of New Mexico reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
