Legal Director

The ACLU's National Chapter of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming seeks applicants for the full-time position of Legal Director in Sioux Falls, SD or Fargo, ND. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

We are taking our organization to the next level by strengthening our legal firepower, building legislative strength, expanding communications methods, and creating winning issue campaigns. To meet these objectives, the ACLU of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work. Work is focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties’ movement.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Significant years of trial and appellate litigation experience in state and federal courts, including class actions, with a strong interest and experience in constitutional law and civil rights

Proven ability to effectively manage legal staff, run diverse and high-performing teams, and savviness in both direct and indirect people leadership with the ability to work effectively in coordination with non-legal teams engaged in advocacy, communications, and development

Admitted to the South Dakota, North Dakota, or Wyoming Bar or eligible for admission on motion

Excellent organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving and litigation

Creative, persuasive, results-oriented, self-starting, persevering, and willing to learn

Ability to engage in litigation with minimal support staff

High ethical standards and genuine interest in developing authentic relationships

Team player who inspires collaboration, lifts the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience

WHAT YOU'LL DO
Reporting to the Executive Director of the Dakotas/Wyoming Chapter, the Legal Director will lead and expand the ACLU legal program across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming, including developing and litigating high-impact cases and managing the legal department. At the direction of the Executive Director, the Legal Director will be responsible for crafting and executing legal strategy that advances the ACLU of SD/ND/WY mission, as well as 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 in priority areas of criminal justice, immigrants’ rights, Indigenous justice, LGBTQ and Two Spirit equality, reproductive rights, and voting rights, as well as other areas including First Amendment rights.

YOUR DAY TO DAY
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Legal Director who will lead all aspects of litigation and serve as a key senior leader within our Chapter. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to legal advocacy and strategic leadership, contributing significantly to the Chapter’s culture, management, and overall direction. Key responsibilities and qualifications include:

Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership in both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy, playing a crucial role in shaping the Chapter’s legal strategies and broader organizational goals

Team Management and Collaboration: Proven ability to manage and inspire high-performing legal staff and teams. Coordinate effectively with advocacy, communications, and development teams to ensure cohesive, cross-functional success

Manage, supervise, and direct a staff attorney and occasionally law student and undergraduate interns; handle recruiting and hiring of additional legal staff (budget permitting); and foster an organizational culture within the legal program that encourages staff development through internal and external resources

Coordinate and collaborate with other ACLU SD/ND/WY departments on cross-departmental projects, ensuring integrated – and maximally effective – outcomes. Serve as a resource on legal matters for staff, partners, and other ACLU of SD/ND/WY constituents

Direct Litigation Expertise: Engage in direct litigation efforts and manage cases demonstrating self-sufficiency and expertise in legal proceedings

Maintain and continue to develop our impact litigation and advocacy docket, which advances the ACLU of SD/ND/WY strategic priorities and responds to civil rights and civil liberties threats

Manage all aspects of the litigation program, including coordinating the selection of cases, overseeing the investigation and development of cases before commencing litigation; building litigation teams with in-house lawyers, private lawyers, and nonprofit partners; directly engaging in litigation in federal and state court; and overseeing ongoing litigation

Maintain an individual caseload of developing and active litigation and amicus briefs, including overseeing and directing pre-litigation investigations, discovery, motion practice, brief writing, hearings and trials, and appellate work

Work with staff attorneys, cooperating attorneys, and co-counsel (including but not limited to attorneys from the ACLU’s National Legal Department) on all work within the ACLU SD/ND/WY legal program

Community Engagement: Develop and nurture strong relationships with community leaders, members, and organizations, both within legal circles and the broader community

Broaden and deepen relationships with volunteer attorneys and other lawyers in the community to ensure the visibility of the ACLU SD/ND/WY in the legal community (and beyond) and to help build our legal docket, including by engaging lawyers in pre-litigation investigations, amicus briefs, litigation, and other ACLU SD/ND/WY activities

Develop relationships with stakeholders such as community members, allied organizations, coalitions, and community leaders in SD/ND/WY who may be impacted by current and future litigation

Public Representation: Act as a prominent spokesperson for the Chapter, representing the organization in media appearances, strategic public forums, community events, donor briefings, and other public engagements

$141,612 annually