Job Details

Overview

Legal Director, ACLU of North Dakota, South Dakota, & Wyoming. The 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 strengthening our legal firepower, building legislative strength, expanding communications methods, and creating winning issue campaigns. The ACLU of SD/ND/WY has adopted a campaign approach for its work, focusing on integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that expand civil liberties and civil rights and build the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement.

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. The Legal Director will craft and execute legal strategy that advances the ACLU of SD/ND/WY mission and manage day-to-day operations of the legal staff and cooperating attorneys. As a senior member of the office, the Legal Director provides strategic leadership on litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy in priority areas including criminal justice, immigrants rights, Indigenous justice, LGBTQ and Two Spirit equality, reproductive rights, voting rights, First Amendment rights, and other areas as appropriate.

Your Day to Day / Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership in both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy, shaping the Chapters legal strategies and organizational goals.


• Team Management and Collaboration: Manage and inspire legal staff; coordinate with advocacy, communications, and development teams for cohesive, cross-functional success.


• Direct Litigation Expertise: Engage in direct litigation and manage cases with self-sufficiency and expertise in legal proceedings.


• Community Engagement: Develop relationships with community leaders, members, and organizations within legal circles and the broader community.


• Public Representation: Serve as a prominent spokesperson for the Chapter in media, public forums, events, and donor briefings.

• Manage, supervise, and direct staff (including a staff attorney, law students, and undergraduates); oversee recruiting and hiring of additional legal staff as budget permits; foster an organizational culture encouraging staff development.


• Coordinate with other ACLU SD/ND/WY departments on cross-departmental projects; serve as a resource on legal matters for staff, partners, and constituents.


• Maintain and develop the impact litigation and advocacy docket aligned with strategic priorities; oversee the selection, development, investigation, discovery, motion practice, hearings, and trial work; direct appellate work.


• Work with staff attorneys, cooperating attorneys, and co-counsel (including from the National Legal Department) on all work within the legal program.


• Develop relationships with volunteer attorneys and the broader legal community to expand our docket and visibility.

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU, embed equity, inclusion, and belonging in work, and work collaboratively to resolve obstacles and conflicts.

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 manage legal staff and lead diverse, high-performing teams; ability to work with advocacy, communications, and development teams.


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


• Excellent organizational and strategic problem-solving skills; self-starter with ethical standards and genuine interest in relationships.


• Ability to handle litigation with minimal support staff; team player who inspires collaboration and maintains balance and perspective.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $141,612 (Level D), reflecting the salary of a position based in Sioux Falls, SD. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorized to work outside of the listed location. There is a set salary for this role based on geographic work location. For details on our pay structure, please visit:

Why the ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has defended and preserved individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. We work on issues ranging from ending mass incarceration to voting rights, reproductive rights, privacy protections, and LGBTQ+ equality. We offer a broad range of benefits to support employee well-being and growth.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging for all people and strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email ...@aclu.org. If selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding accommodations for the interview process.

EEO statements and general job postings present in the original content have been retained where relevant and legally required.