Senior Staff Attorney

ACLU of Wisconsin

. Investigate, develop, and lead high-impact cases at trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts and administrative proceedings .

Posted 9/16/2026full-timeMilwaukee • Wisconsin • United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive litigation experience in both state and federal courts, with a strong focus on civil rights and civil liberties. Capable of leading impact litigation, mentoring junior attorneys, and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

J.D.Litigation ExperiencePersuasive Writing SkillsSupervision and MentoringCommitment to Equity and Inclusion

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Impact LitigationLegal AnalysisCourt FilingsPolicy AnalysisCivil Rights LawCivil Liberties LawEmergent Issue ResponseDiversity and Inclusion Integration

Soft Skills

Collaborative ApproachEffective CommunicationConflict ResolutionAbility to Tolerate Ambiguity

Certifications & Qualifications

Admitted to Practice in Wisconsin

Industry Keywords

ACLU MissionRacial JusticeStructural Power AnalysisCommunity EngagementStakeholder Relationships

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Investigate, develop, and lead high-impact cases at trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts and administrative proceedings
Investigate, develop, and advance non-litigation civil rights and civil liberties strategies in coordination with other departments
Conduct investigations, lead impact litigation, and non-legislative advocacy independently or collaboratively
Develop and maintain relationships with cooperating counsel, allied and community-based organizations, stakeholders, affected communities, and ACLU-WI members
Serve as an ACLU-WI spokesperson with media and external partners
Supervise, manage, and mentor attorneys, Legal Department support staff, and law clerks
Assign and oversee day-to-day work and evaluate performance and professional development
Partner with the Legal Director to improve internal procedures and develop departmental strategies and goals
Provide policy analysis and legal expertise to non-legal ACLU-WI and ACLU National staff
Fulfill Legal Director duties during the Legal Director’s absence, as directed
Oversee recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and management of junior legal staff, fellows, and interns
Manage the professional development of junior staff
Perform other administrative duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging as core values
Strong commitment to the ACLU mission and goals, racial justice, dismantling white supremacy, and structural power analysis
Knowledge of how power and oppression manifest across diverse identities and circumstances
J.D.
Admitted to practice in Wisconsin or eligible to waive into the Wisconsin bar
Minimum of 8 years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts
Demonstrated ability to conceive impact litigation cases and litigate them to conclusion
Excellent persuasive writing skills for court filings and legal and non-legal communications
Ability to speak persuasively and effectively with diverse individuals in legal and non-legal settings
Strong legal aptitude and ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergent issues
Well-developed interest in civil rights and civil liberties issues and ability to master areas of law outside current expertise
Highly collaborative approach and ability to respectfully resolve differences
Ability to tolerate ambiguity and readjust strategy in changing legal and political environments
Demonstrated ability to supervise attorneys and support development of less-experienced attorneys
Demonstrated practice integrating equity concepts into work and interpersonal interactions
Demonstrated commitment to workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion
Ability to work extended hours, including nights and weekends, when required
Ability to travel as required
Ability to work at a computer for multiple hours a day
Ability to remain seated for 50 to 75% of the working period
Ability to lift/carry up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally
Ability to communicate information accurately and observe details at close range
Fluency in a second language other than English preferred but not required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Work from home permitted when work responsibility allows
Prioritizing caregiving and work-life balance needs
Occasional travel at the expense of the organization
$60 per month internet and cell phone allowance
Paid vacation and sick leave
12 weeks paid family medical / parental leave
Optional medical coverage, including one plan at no cost to the employee
Optional dental coverage
Optional vision coverage
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Optional 401(K) retirement fund with a stepped employer match