Legal & Policy Counsel

The ACLU of Nebraska (ACLU-NE) is a nonprofit nonpartisan public interest law firm that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties of all people that are secured by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Nebraska. The ACLU-NE carries out our mission through a sophisticated program of integrated advocacy with strategies that include litigation, negotiation, advocacy, and public education.

The ACLU-NE is proud to foster a fun and fast-paced work environment. Our offices are in the heart of Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln, Nebraska. Our 10-person team is complemented by law clerks, interns, volunteer attorneys, and thousands of supporters statewide.  

Position Description

The Legal & Policy Counsel position is responsible for managing legal intakes, supporting the litigation docket and developing new cases, conducting know your rights trainings to legal and community audiences, and conducting legal research on a variety of issue areas, primarily but not limited to the First Amendment, Racial Justice, Indigenous Justice, Students’ Rights, and Police Accountability. The position also works to support and expand our policy program and will collaborate with ACLU- NE senior staff. The Legal & Policy Counsel reports to the Legal Director and works closely with other members of the organization's staff.

Core Roles & Responsibilities 

Legal Program

• Serve as attorney of record on ACLU of Nebraska cases or in an amicus role for cases brought by partners as assigned by Legal Director. 
• Assists Legal Director with management of co-counsel, volunteer, and cooperating attorneys on ACLU Nebraska cases. 
• Assists Legal Director with supervision of legal intake program. 
• Conducts legal research. 
• Client counseling and coordinates among cooperating counsel, expert witnesses, and others involved in litigation.  

Public Policy Advocacy  

• Assists senior staff with reviewing legislation pending before the state legislature. 
• Assists with drafting new legislation or amendments to legislative bills or resolutions. 
• Assists with research required to prepare testimony on legislative bills or resolutions. 
• Assists with providing legislative testimony and contact with senators on legislative bills or resolutions. 

Public Education  

• Assists with drafting newsletter and website articles concerning ACLU-NE cases. 
• Assists with drafting press releases, fundraising letters or other external communications. Occasionally serves as spokesperson to the media. 
• Participates in frequent public speaking and education activities, including Know Your Rights trainings and empowering others to serve as legal observers. 
• Conducts Continuing Legal Education classes on civil rights and civil liberties matters. 

The ACLU of Nebraska (ACLU-NE) is a nonprofit nonpartisan public interest law firm that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties of all people that are secured by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Nebraska. The ACLU-NE carries out our mission through a sophisticated program of integrated advocacy with strategies that include litigation, negotiation, advocacy, and public education.

The ACLU-NE is proud to foster a fun and fast-paced work environment. Our offices are in the heart of Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln, Nebraska. Our 10-person team is complemented by law clerks, interns, volunteer attorneys, and thousands of supporters statewide.  

Position Description

The Legal & Policy Counsel position is responsible for managing legal intakes, supporting the litigation docket and developing new cases, conducting know your rights trainings to legal and community audiences, and conducting legal research on a variety of issue areas, primarily but not limited to the First Amendment, Racial Justice, Indigenous Justice, Students’ Rights, and Police Accountability. The position also works to support and expand our policy program and will collaborate with ACLU- NE senior staff. The Legal & Policy Counsel reports to the Legal Director and works closely with other members of the organization's staff.

Core Roles & Responsibilities 

Legal Program

• Serve as attorney of record on ACLU of Nebraska cases or in an amicus role for cases brought by partners as assigned by Legal Director. 
• Assists Legal Director with management of co-counsel, volunteer, and cooperating attorneys on ACLU Nebraska cases. 
• Assists Legal Director with supervision of legal intake program. 
• Conducts legal research. 
• Client counseling and coordinates among cooperating counsel, expert witnesses, and others involved in litigation.  

Public Policy Advocacy  

• Assists senior staff with reviewing legislation pending before the state legislature. 
• Assists with drafting new legislation or amendments to legislative bills or resolutions. 
• Assists with research required to prepare testimony on legislative bills or resolutions. 
• Assists with providing legislative testimony and contact with senators on legislative bills or resolutions. 

Public Education  

• Assists with drafting newsletter and website articles concerning ACLU-NE cases. 
• Assists with drafting press releases, fundraising letters or other external communications. Occasionally serves as spokesperson to the media. 
• Participates in frequent public speaking and education activities, including Know Your Rights trainings and empowering others to serve as legal observers. 
• Conducts Continuing Legal Education classes on civil rights and civil liberties matters. 

Experiences and Qualifications 

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. 
• Demonstrated litigation experience (minimum of two years). 
• Admission to, or eligibility for admission to, the practice of law in Nebraska including state and federal courts in Nebraska. 
• Demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, professional legal ethics, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently and within a team. 
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion and meet deadlines.  
• Candidates fluent in languages other than English are strongly encouraged to apply.  
• Primarily based in Lincoln, with occasional in-state travel. 
• Reliable attendance including normal office hours 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday with occasional weekend and evening hours. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The ACLU-NE is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-NE encourages applications from all qualified and eligible individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU-NE makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified and eligible persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying, please e-mail agagner@aclunebraska.org or call 402-476-8091. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Civil rights and civil liberties violations disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society – including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ people. These communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or those who are members of other marginalized communities.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt role. The salary range for this position ranges from $65,000-$85,000, depending on experience and skills. Excellent benefits include vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, generous health, dental, and vision insurance with employee and family premiums paid 100% by the employer, Health Savings Plan contributions, a 401k match, cell phone stipend, hybrid work options, and paid parking.

Application Procedure

To apply, email a cover letter and resume to jobs@aclunebraska.org with the subject line: Legal and Policy Counsel. In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before July 15, 2023.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The ACLU-NE is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-NE encourages applications from all qualified and eligible individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU-NE makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified and eligible persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying, please e-mail agagner@aclunebraska.org or call 402-476-8091. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Civil rights and civil liberties violations disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society – including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ people. These communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or those who are members of other marginalized communities.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt role. The salary range for this position ranges from $65,000-$85,000, depending on experience and skills. Excellent benefits include vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, generous health, dental, and vision insurance with employee and family premiums paid 100% by the employer, Health Savings Plan contributions, a 401k match, cell phone stipend, hybrid work options, and paid parking.

Application Procedure

To apply, email a cover letter and resume to jobs@aclunebraska.org with the subject line: Legal and Policy Counsel. In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before July 15, 2023.