Staff Attorney, Criminal Justice and Police Practices

Staff Attorney, Criminal Justice and Police Practices Project, ACLU Foundation of Southern California. Location: Los Angeles and Orange. Posted 10/30/2026. About the ACLU Foundation of Southern California: founded in 1923, ACLU SoCal has been at the forefront of efforts to protect civil liberties, civil rights, and equal justice in California, with offices in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire (Riverside), and Kern County (Bakersfield). Its issues include the criminal legal system, police practices, First Amendment rights, voting rights, gender equity, reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, immigrants' rights, education equity, and economic justice. Position overview: ACLU SoCal's Advocacy Department seeks a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Justice and Police Practices project. The Staff Attorney will develop and litigate state and federal cases and engage in legislative and policy advocacy on criminal legal reform and policing issues, with an emphasis on Orange County-based advocacy, including representing ACLU SoCal in statewide and local advocacy that promotes decarceration, law enforcement agency transparency, officer accountability, and alternatives to policing and incarceration, and that challenges bias, discrimination and systemic injustice. The Staff Attorney will also help create and participate in community safety campaigns, engage in public education, and provide technical assistance to coalitions, community partners, government officials, and government bodies. The position reports to the Director of Criminal Justice and Police Practices and works with the statewide Criminal Justice and Policing teams. Travel throughout Southern California and occasional trips to Sacramento may be required. This is a full-time, exempt bargaining unit position in the National Organization of Legal Services Workers union. Qualifications: the ACLU SoCal anticipates hiring an attorney with approximately 2-8 years of experience and will consider all applicants with approximately that level of experience with a demonstrated commitment to civil and human rights and racial justice. Required: admitted to practice law in California or willingness to promptly take the California bar exam; excellent research, writing, analytic, and speaking skills; ability to develop and litigate impact cases; ability to work in diverse coalitions and develop and implement advocacy campaigns. Spanish language fluency desired. Compensation: the salary range for this position is $89,068 - $106,351 based on year of law school graduation. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer match, and ample vacation and sick leave and twenty-two paid holidays. To apply: upload a resume, cover letter, and writing sample through the posting.