Deputy Legal Director

at ACLU of Montana in Missoula, Montana, United States

Job Description

DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR JOB SYNOPSIS Full job description can be found at https://www.aclumontana.org/app/uploads/2026/08/ACLU-MT-Deputy-Legal-Director-Job-Description.pdf. POSITION OVERVIEW The ACLU of Montana (ACLU-MT) seeks a dynamic, strategic, and mission-driven Deputy Legal Director to co-lead its Legal Department. The coming years present a unique opportunity to dramatically shape the legal landscape in Montana. Building off the individual rights guaranteed by Montana’s modern constitution, the Deputy Legal Director will shape and guide a docket to fight back against governmental discrimination, harassment and marginalization of impacted communities. The Deputy Legal Director reports to the Deputy Director and plays a critical role in advancing ACLU-MT’s legal efforts, with primary responsibility for ensuring that the legal docket reflects our organization’s priorities and maximizes impact across a diverse range of subjects. The Deputy Legal Director will directly supervise staff attorneys and paralegals within the Legal Department. At the ACLU of Montana, we cover the broad waterfront of civil rights issues, including the right to privacy (including reproductive rights), voting rights, criminal-legal reform, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ rights, with a particular emphasis on our strategic priority areas of Indigenous Justice and decriminalization of poverty. The ideal candidate has demonstrated deep commitment to civil rights and liberties, along with sophisticated understanding of how to use impact litigation as a tool in advancing our organizational priorities. To learn more about working for the ACLU-MT, please visit: www.aclumontana.org/careers. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS This position is full-time, exempt, and will pay an annual salary of between $115,000 and $120,000, depending on experience. Excellent benefits offered, including health, vision and dental insurance, 401(k) retirement plan and employer matching, and generous vacation, holiday, sabbatical, and family and medical leave policies. Relocation reimbursements for actual moving expenses are available up to $4,000, contingent on two years’ employment. The ACLU of Montana also invests in each staff member’s professional development. The position is fully remote, based anywhere in Montana. There is optional access to co-working spaces in select cities. Candidates based in other states must be willing to relocate to Montana within the first three months of start date. All staff are required to meet quarterly for in-person workdays held across the state. ACLU of Montana pays for work related travel expenses, including in-person days. APPLICATION PROCEDURE All applications are treated confidentially. Please email your application to jobs[at]aclumontana.org and include Deputy Legal Director in the subject line of your email. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter that best expresses their interest in this position and qualifications aligned with the role. Applicants are particularly encouraged to highlight: Experience litigating high-impact cases across a variety of subject areas. Experience with preparing pleadings, motions and briefs. Experience conducting discovery. Experience presenting oral arguments. Experience handling and supervising trials and evidentiary hearings. Experience handling appeals. Experience coordinating teams of attorneys in support of a shared outcome. Experience engaging in strategic decision-making around shaping law and precedent. Experience managing attorneys and support staff at various career stages. Cultural competency to effectively communicate about social justice issues, including Indigenous Justice, 2S-LGBTQIA+, and other ACLU of Montana priorities with diverse audiences and impacted communities.  Applications without both a resume and a cover letter will not be considered. For those applicants invited to interview, a writing sample and three references (including two former or current supervisors) will also