Overview
The ACLU of Mississippi is committed to fighting against white supremacy and for racial justice. To meet this challenge, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our legal team to include a critical new role, the Constance Slaughter-Harvey Senior Staff Attorney. Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey has long championed the fight against systemic racial injustice in Mississippi, and in honor of that work, this position will bear her name.
The Staff Attorney will litigate cases and engage in non-litigation advocacy to advance civil liberties and civil rights throughout Mississippi. Responsibilities include developing and litigating cutting-edge impact cases on a wide range of issues, primarily in federal courts and often in partnership with cooperating counsel and/or National ACLU lawyers. The Staff Attorney will represent the ACLU publicly through media interviews and speaking engagements and will collaborate extensively with our Advocacy, Policy and Communications departments to set goals and implement strategies that advance ACLU of Mississippi priorities.
The ACLU of Mississippi is currently leading voting rights litigation to ensure Black voting power is not diminished by gerrymandered legislative and Supreme Court Districts. We are also representing residents from the historical Black Gulfport community of Turkey Creek as they appeal a state decision to allow the building of a military installation in their neighborhood.
Additionally, recently filed two lawsuits against the City of Lexington and the town’s police officers for violating the civil rights of Black residents. These cases are part of the ACLU of Mississippi’s new initiative to enlist law firms, private attorneys and community organizations to bring lawsuits to stop police violence and harassment. Mississippi’s ACLU affiliate will continue this effort to bring the legal resources and talents of firms and private attorneys, to represent other victims of unconstitutional police misconduct.
Specific Responsibilities
- Legal
- Investigate, develop and litigate impact civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court.
- Identify and recruit plaintiffs, conduct factual and legal research, prepare memorandums, write demand letters, draft pleadings and briefs, conduct discovery, argue motions, try cases, write appellate briefs and amicus briefs.
- Supervise, lead, or participate in a team of associated attorneys; co-counsel cases with other public interest groups and the national staff.
- Recruit and work successfully with ACLU volunteer attorneys. Comment on and edit letters and briefs of co-counsel and other ACLU staff.
- Work with local lawyers committees to screen and develop promising cases.
- Leadership, Public Advocacy and Teamwork
- Serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU with the press and as a public speaker and educator.
- Work with ACLU staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies utilizing the ACLU’s legislative, policy, and communications programs.
- Engage with partners working in legal and advocacy capacities to build and mobilize issue networks statewide as appropriate.
- Support the work of the Advocacy and Communications Departments by collaborating on policy and legislative materials, as well as by writing editorials, blogs and public education documents.
- Administration, Supervision and Support
- Recruit and supervise law students and interns.
- Proactively communicate with all staff so they are well-informed of upcoming hearings, judicial decisions, and important developments in the legal arena.
- Ensure that the Legal and Executive Directors are adequately informed of work and solicit direction and input appropriately and consistent with professional standards.
- Prepare administrative and grant reports, provide administrative and organizational support as needed, and adhere to internal systems for attorney recordkeeping and information sharing.
Supervision
The Staff Attorney will report to the Legal Director, who is responsible for implementation of the statewide legal program.
Qualifications
- J.D. with relevant years of experience, including federal court litigation experience, preferably with experience litigating federal civil rights and civil liberties cases.
- If not already barred in Mississippi, candidate must pass or waive into the Mississippi bar.
- A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights and the mission of the ACLU.
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of constitutional law and civil liberties issues.
- Demonstrated skills in litigating independently, jointly, and under pressure.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both legal and non-legal audiences.
- Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, research, and strategic thinking.
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other staff members, and with community organizations and coalitions.
- A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
- Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, working beyond 9-5 as needed.
- Willingness to travel across the state for litigation and engagements.
Compensation
Salary and job title are commensurate with relative legal experience. The range of salaries are the following, based on years of legal experience
- 1-3 years of relative legal experience: Staff Attorney; $68,000-$77,000
- 4+ years of relative legal experience: Senior Staff Attorney; $83,000- $92,000
Excellent benefits include 12 weeks of paid family leave; 14 office holidays; medical and dental insurance for staff member; and 401(k) plan with employer match.
About Constance Slaughter-Harvey
Attorney Constance Iona Slaughter-Harvey, a native of Forest, Mississippi, is a graduate of Hawkins High School and Tougaloo College. While at Tougaloo, she was elected President of the Student Government Association becoming the first female to serve in that capacity. On January 27, 1970, she became the first African American female to receive a law degree from the University of Mississippi.
After graduation, Attorney Slaughter-Harvey joined the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law as a staff attorney and worked there until 1972 when she returned to Forest and established her private law practice. She served as Executive Director of Southern Legal Rights and later became Director of East Mississippi Legal Services. In 1976, she became the first Black female judge in Mississippi's history.
She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the W. E. B. Dubois Award, the Margaret Brent Women Lawyer's Achievement Award, and multiple NAACP Legal Awards for dedication and commitment to the continuing struggle for legal justice.
About ACLU of Mississippi
The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi (ACLU-MS), incorporated on June 16, 1969, was born out of the will of individuals associated with two religious groups, Delta Ministries and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson. This affiliate of the national ACLU began on the tail end of the Civil Rights Movement, during the anti-war and women's rights movements.
The ACLU of Mississippi is dedicated to promoting, defending, and extending civil rights and civil liberties to all Mississippians with emphasis on issues related to criminal justice reform, education opportunities, equal access/equality for all, voting rights, and governmental transparency and accountability. We accomplish our mission through legislation, litigation and advocacy.
Application Procedure
Please submit in digital form, by email, a detailed letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references. Send with the subject line of “CSH Attorney Application” to jtom@aclu-ms.org or office@aclu-ms.org.
The position will remain open until filled.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Mississippi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to apply.
