Staff Attorney, Senior Staff Attorney or Senior Counsel, Immigrants' Rights Project [Term-Limited]
Aclu · New York, New York, United States; San Francisco, California, United States · Posted May 18, 2026
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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 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. This is a 2 -year term-limited position.
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
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
A minimum of two years complex civil litigation experience in federal courts is strongly preferred
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 skills
Demonstrated ability to perform complex legal analytical work
Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively
Self-motivation and diligence, with a proven ability to meet firm deadlines and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred; fluency in other languages commonly spoken by immigrants in the U.S. preferred
Demonstrated experience working in immigrant community settings strongly preferred
Experience working with reporters and the media preferred
COMPENSATION
The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances)
0-2 years since law school graduation: $96,069 - $120,009
3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579
6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,839 - $187,087
11-15 years since law school graduation: $190,585 - $201,403
16-20 years since law school graduation: $203,304 - $208,540
21-25 years since law school graduation: $209,595 - $213,890
26-30+ years since law school graduation: $214,920 - $219,104
The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY where are National Offices are headquartered. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if …