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Internship: ACLU-NBLSA Southern Legal Internship (SLIP) Program

ABOUT THE ACLU AND THE SOUTHERN COLLECTIVE

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. For over 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, advancing racial justice, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties and civil rights cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. With nearly two million members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU is a nationwide organization that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, and record of arrest or conviction.

In 2019, the ACLU launched the Southern Collective, a collaborative project of the national office and the ACLU affiliates of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Collective works to address the challenges in the South that are rooted in its unique history of racial oppression and violence and equally remarkable history of civil rights struggles and victories. It focuses on advancing high-impact, collaborative initiatives across the region in order to pave the way for racial justice nationwide.

ABOUT NBLSA

For over 50 years, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) has sought to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community; to instill in the Black law student a greater commitment to the needs of the Black community; and to influence the legal community by bringing about meaningful legal and political change that addresses the needs and concerns of the Black community.

ABOUT THE ACLU-NBLSA SOUTHERN LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The ACLU has partnered with NBLSA to deepen the bench of talented, passionate, and committed civil rights and social justice attorneys in the South. The Southern Legal Internship Program (SLIP) will place legal interns at ACLU affiliates in each of the 12 states in the ACLU's Southern Collective. SLIP interns will contribute to crucial legal, policy, and organizing campaigns in the issue areas that most affect Black and Brown communities in the region, including voting rights, educational equity, gender justice, and criminal legal reform.

For more information about the priority areas and campaigns at ACLU affiliates in the Southern Collective, please visit their websites:

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Time Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks in Summer 2024 (likely beginning June 3 or June 10, 2024)

Compensation: $8,000

Location: One SLIP intern will be placed at each of the ACLU Southern Collective affiliates. Until further notice, it is expected that SLIP interns will report for in-person work (likely on a hybrid basis with some amount of remote and in-person work) at affiliate offices alongside ACLU employees. Each affiliate sets its own policies regarding any mandatory in-person work requirements.

Orientation: Before the internship begins, SLIP interns will participate in an orientation with their cohort and staff from ACLU National and Southern Collective offices. The date and format of the orientation (including whether it will be held virtually or in person) are TBD. Travel to and from the orientation, as well as lodging, will be provided by the ACLU.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Legal, policy, and administrative/regulatory research
Drafting legal documents
Drafting public-facing documents, e.g. know-your-rights documents or awareness-raising materials
Participating in client intake
Other projects as assigned based on affiliate placement

QUALIFICATIONS

Current law student at the time of application
Member of the National Black Law Student Association
- Note that membership in a regional chapter of NBLSA, such as the Mid-Atlantic or Southern Region, is different than membership in NBLSA. If you are a member of the former but not the latter, you can register at this link: https://nationalblsa.wildapricot.org/join-us
Strong research and writing skills
Highly organized with strong attention to detail
Proficiency with Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to take initiative, think creatively, problem solve, and take ownership of projects and assignments
Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills and ability to be a team player
Commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, and social justice
Please note that specific expectations will vary based on affiliate placement.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, use this link to submit: (1) a cover letter (1 page maximum), (2) a résumé, and (3) a writing sample (10 pages maximum) through the Greenhouse application link in this post. You will also indicate the ACLU affiliates to which you want to apply.

Application Requirement: Please label each of your materials with your full name when you upload them (ex. First Name Last Name - Resume)

PRIORITY deadline*: Sunday, October 15, 2023

FINAL deadline: Sunday, November 12, 2023

* We strongly encourage you to apply by the priority deadline.

MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions or want more information about SLIP, please email [email protected]

Job Title: Legal Director

Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas is an advocacy organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights through work in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities. We fight for free speech, racial justice, criminal justice reform, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, immigrants' rights, and more. We are organized as a nonpartisan, non-profit, membership organization with members and supporters in Arkansas. The ACLU of Arkansas is an affiliate of the ACLU, our nation’s guardian of liberty for 100 years. The position is based in Little Rock but requires periodic travel.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The ACLU of Arkansas is seeking a talented and experienced litigator with strategic vision, strong management skills, and a collaborative approach to lead our proactive, high-impact legal program, continue building our in-house litigation capacity, and leverage external and cross-departmental resources to make an even greater impact on the civil rights and civil liberties landscape in Arkansas.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working in close collaboration with our staff and partners, the Legal Director will supervise and administer a statewide legal program covering a wide range of constitutional issues to bring about systemic change through impact litigation in federal and state courts, administrative advocacy, and other strategies. The Legal Director is also responsible for handling the day-to-day management of legal staff and cooperating attorneys. As a critical member of the office's senior leadership team, the Legal Director will provide strategic leadership on both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy and work in close coordination with our advocacy and communications teams, national ACLU colleagues, and other local and national partners to advance our strategic priorities. The candidate should have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and should demonstrate a passion for civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission of the ACLU of Arkansas.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain and develop an ambitious impact litigation and advocacy docket that advances ACLU strategic priorities and responds to immediate or emerging threats to Arkansans’ rights and liberties
Manage all aspects of the ACLU of Arkansas’s legal program, including coordinating the selection of cases in concert with the Executive Director; overseeing investigation and development of cases before commencing litigation; building litigation teams with in-house lawyers, private attorneys, and nonproﬁt partners; and managing litigating in federal and state courts
Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation and amicus briefs, including pre-litigation investigations, demand letters, open records requests, legal and policy reports and analysis, discovery, motion practice, brief writing, hearings and trials, and appellate work
Oversee implementation of legal program policies and procedures including intake review, case-selection process, paper and electronic ﬁling systems, legal docket, calendaring and meeting deadlines, timekeeping, and retainer agreements
Supervise legal staff including any law fellows or interns; assist with recruiting and hiring for additional legal staﬀ (budget permitting); and foster a collaborative organizational culture within the legal program that encourages staﬀ development through internal and external resources
Coordinate and collaborate with other ACLU of Arkansas staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies utilizing legal, communications, public education, legislative, and ﬁeld organizing programs
Advise communications team on publications addressing legal issues and cases and serve as a resource for the ACLU on legal matters for staﬀ, partners, and other constituents
Develop equitable and reciprocal relationships with community organizations and networks – particularly community members impacted by policing and incarceration and racial justice initiatives led by people of color – and help advance the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in both its internal and external-facing work
Broaden and deepen relationships with the ACLU of Arkansas’s volunteer attorneys and other lawyers, faculty, and law student volunteers and interns in the state to ensure the visibility of the ACLU in the Arkansas legal community (and beyond) and to help support and educate the next generation of civil rights lawyers
Work with ACLU of Arkansas’s Legal Advisory Panel, which includes lawyers who serve on our Board of Directors, to recommend litigation and amicus briefs and to advance organizational goals and strategies
Serve as a highly visible spokesperson for the ACLU, working closely with the Executive Director and our communications team to regularly engage in strategic public forums, advocacy discussions, and media opportunities
Support and engage in policy and advocacy work with legislative and policy research and other matters; occasionally testify before legislative and administrative bodies
Foster an organizational culture that empowers staff, encourages professional development, and emphasizes a commitment to upholding the highest ethical ideals of the legal profession
Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong demonstrated experience with trial and appellate litigation in state and federal courts, including complex litigation, with a strong background in constitutional law and civil rights
Admitted to the Arkansas Bar or must obtain Arkansas Bar admission within a year of employment
Experience representing and working with marginalized or impacted communities, grassroots organizations, and other non-profit organizations with a proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance and background

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in recruiting, training, managing, and motivating a diverse, high-performing team
Exceptional research, writing, analytical, and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to clearly communicate complex legal issues both in court and to the public
Experience working with a volunteer board of directors, non-profit organizations, and allies from across the political spectrum
Strong self-motivation and organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving, advocacy, and litigation.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel within Arkansas and occasionally to other parts of the country for speaking events, meetings, and conferences
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, exercise good judgment, and maintain calm and good humor, even in high-intensity situations
A strong track record of courage and integrity; ability to receive feedback, work through conflict with integrity, and operate in solidarity

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

ACLU Arkansas is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our employees, their families, and members of our community against COVID-19. Our goal is to safeguard staff to the greatest extent possible as we continue to execute ACLU Arkansas mission. As such, we are requiring that all staff members be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless an employee requests and is approved for a reasonable accommodation.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The ACLU of Arkansas is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse work force and an inclusive and equitable office culture of belonging. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified people without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or prior involvement in the criminal legal system.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $95,000 and is based on experience. Excellent benefits include generous paid vacation, sick leave, family leave, and holidays; life, health, and dental insurance with premiums paid 100% by the employer, including family coverage; and a defined 401(k) contribution plan with an employer match. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

TO APPLY

Please submit your résumé or CV, and a cover letter describing why you would be great at this job and how you meet the qualifications.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply here.

Job Title: Operations Specialist

Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW

The ACLU of Arkansas is seeking a talented and experienced Operations Specialist who will work across the affiliate to ensure all teams have unparalleled support to perform their objectives; support the ACLU of AR Team, the Executive Director, and Board of Directors; maintain a clean, organized, and supplied office for everyone; and manage the personnel aspect of the office and reporting to the Executive Director. These functions will be performed to support the Affiliate’s goal of protecting the liberties that define our democracy.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT

Physical effort normal, mental effort high and must be able to multi-task on various levels. Prolonged visual requirements to prepare reports and PC workstation monitors.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. Sedentary environment. Ability to remain seated for extended periods of time. Must be able to lift, push or pull in excess of 10 pounds.

JOB DUTIES

Project Management:

Assist the Executive Director in facilitating the processes of working together to achieve ACLU AR’s organizational goals.
Arrange and execute plans for office engagements and work events including team meetings, external events, board meetings, work travel, and speaking engagements. Maintain overall work calendar for office.
Coordinate with Executive Director and team as needed for finance, board, volunteer, and supporter materials and information.
Develop supporting documentation, agendas, meeting minutes, and follow-up plans and support information sharing cross functionally with finance, development, communications, legal, and policy/advocacy teams.
Coordinating Board Meetings preparation including collecting and disseminating committee and board meeting materials, updating the agenda, and ensuring meeting set up and accommodations for all attendees. Assist with board support needs, including board elections every two years.
Handle requests and matters expeditiously, proactively, and follow-through on tasks to successfully complete by deadlines.
Maintain and protect sensitive and confidential member and supporter information while ensuring appropriate cooperation and communication with necessary internal team members and external parties.
Assist moving multiple affiliate projects to completion, and cross manage peers, supervisors and partners across project deadlines and initiatives in a busy environment.
File regular and timely lobbyist registration and activity reports.
Ensure complete and accurate files for grants, bequests, and vendors.

OPERATIONS AND TEAM SUPPORT

Maintain and protect sensitive and confidential personnel information, assisting with onboarding and job changes.
Ensuring time and expense tracking systems and processes are properly utilized.
Scheduling team meetings and facilitating communications within team.
Provide team support and supervise general office operations, space and building management. Identify and manage update and repair needs; review and maintain vendors list; coordinate bids and work of vendors and contractors.
Manage appropriate access, learning, and usage of tools and technology for team members. Assist team with troubleshooting issues, tools, and software. Coordinate with appropriate tech support teams, national office, and vendors to ensure all systems are operational and appropriately accessible.
Manage equipment and office supplies, files, storage and archiving procedures, including ensuring compliance with records retention policy and confidentiality.
Process and route incoming and outgoing mail and calls and greet guests.
Monitor budget for office supplies and equipment and building repairs and maintenance.
Update and maintain a centralized filing system, ensuring server and paper files have a consistent system with appropriate access.
Update, maintain and implement written policies, processes, and procedures for the affiliate.
Write summaries and reports concerning activities.
Foster a trusting, productive and positive work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration conducive to promoting our organizational commitment to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion in all interactions with donors, supporters, and staff members.
Other projects and organizational building activities as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma or GED. Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects with various deadlines.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Windows, Word, Outlook, and Excel
Experience in QuickBooks and other databases preferred but not required.
Detail-oriented, organized person with initiative and problem-solving skills who is willing to lead as well as facilitate work together to achieve the ACLU of Arkansas’s internal and external organizational goals.
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours when necessary to meet specific project goals and travel as necessary for work errands, as well as occasionally through Arkansas and other states for conferences, training, or other work.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $40,000 - $45,000 and is based on experience. Excellent benefits include generous paid vacation, sick leave, family leave, and holidays; life, health, and dental insurance with premiums paid 100% by the employer, including family coverage; and a defined 401(k) contribution plan with an employer match. This position is full-time, salaried, and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

TO APPLY

Please email your résumé or CV, and a cover letter describing why you would be great at this job and how you meet the qualifications.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply here.