Staff Attorney: Civil Liberties Cross-Project

The Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois (ACLU-IL) seeks a Staff Attorney to build and lead litigation and, in collaboration with other Departments, work on non-litigation advocacy to drive transformational change across our substantive program areas as described below. 

About the Job 

The ACLU of Illinois works to advance civil liberties throughout Illinois. Our work includes protecting democracy by advancing First Amendment rights, government transparency, and voting rights; protecting the rights of immigrants; fighting institutional and structural racism that undermines civil rights and civil liberties, including in the criminal and civil legal systems and immigration; protecting the rights of women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, including the right to reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy and gender-affirming care; and fighting to enforce the rights of people in government care, including children in foster care and people in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities.

Job Description

The Staff Attorney: Cross-Project Civil Liberties is a highly collaborative team player who works in tandem with colleagues across our organization to advance our goals. Staff Attorneys litigate cases in state and federal courts. In addition, they work closely with colleagues in our Advocacy, Communications, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments to promote change through legislative initiatives, advocacy with government officials, and public education. This position will primarily involve working with colleagues at the ACLU of Illinois and (as necessary) staff at ACLU’s National office and other ACLU affiliates to develop and litigate cases advancing and defending civil rights and civil liberties in the full scope of contexts covered by the ACLU of Illinois’s current portfolio of civil rights work.

The Staff Attorney position is an exempt union position that is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers / United Auto Workers Local 2320. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, and operates under a hybrid in-office/remote work schedule.  Staff members are expected to work in our Chicago office on designated in-office days.

Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of a Staff Attorney include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate, develop, and advance high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts and in state or federal administrative proceedings.
• In coordination with other Departments, help develop and advance non-litigation strategies for protecting civil rights and civil liberties.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with our cooperating counsel, allied organizations, community-based organizations, stakeholders, members of communities affected by our work, and ACLU-IL members.
• Serve as an ACLU-IL spokesperson with the media and external partners on identified issues.

All applicants must have:

• A J.D. and be admitted to practice in Illinois, be eligible to waive into the Illinois bar, or be willing to take the Illinois bar exam no later than September 2026.
• At least 3 years’ experience litigating cases in state court, federal court, and/or state or federal administrative proceedings.
• Excellent persuasive writing skills for court filings and for communications in legal and non-legal settings. 
• Demonstrated ability to speak clearly, persuasively, and effectively with individuals and organizations from a broad and diverse range of identities, interests, and backgrounds in non-legal and legal settings.
• Strong legal aptitude, including thoughtful engagement with novel and complex legal questions, and demonstrated ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergent issues.
• A well-developed interest in a range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and the ability and willingness to master areas of law outside of their current expertise.
• A highly collaborative mindset, with the desire to consult and share information with colleagues, and skills to respectfully resolve differences.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues, community partners, and clients with different backgrounds and experiences.
• Willingness to travel throughout Illinois and to work beyond the normal workday and/or on weekends when needed.
• A commitment to advancing ACLU of Illinois mission, goals, and programs.

Salary

Salary depends on years of legal experience and is in accordance with the ACLU-IL salary scale. As an example, the annual salary for a Staff Attorney with 5 years’ experience is $78,792.

Benefits 

• Vacation: 15 days of paid vacation in the first year and 20 days of paid vacation thereafter. 
• Health benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents. 
• Retirement benefits: 6% employer-paid retirement contribution after 1 year without any employee contribution, plus 50% employer retirement match of the first $125 the employee contributes per pay period (there are 2 pay periods per month / 24 pay periods per year).
• Other benefits: 100% employer-paid life insurance; employee assistance program; short and long-term disability insurance. Paid parental leave after 1 year. Flexible spending accounts.

How to Apply

Applicants should provide:

• A resume.
• A cover letter, not drafted with the assistance of AI, summarizing why you are interested in working with ACLU-IL in efforts to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties.
• A legal writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others or drafted with the assistance of AI, such as a legal memorandum or a draft section of a legal brief. 

Applications are due by August 28, 2026, and will be considered on a rolling basis.

ACLU Employment Statement

The ACLU of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal record, or veteran status.

The ACLU of Illinois is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance with the online application process, please email our Human Resources Manager at [email protected], including the position you are applying for in the subject line. You will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.