Description:
About the Job:The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for one year. The Ruth Bader Ginsberg Center for Liberty of the National office, located in New York, NY and Washington, DC seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship to begin in the fall of 2026. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month in our Washington, DC, or New York City office.
Overview:
The Center for Liberty encompasses the ACLU's work on disability rights, women's rights, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ rights, and freedom of religion and belief. The Center for Liberty also leads the ACLU's work to address the intersection of religious freedom and equal treatment, among other issues.
Applicants for host sponsorship are asked to submit a two-paragraph project proposal, specifying a current civil rights issue you would like to address, with their applications. We are particularly interested in emerging religious refusals issues, gender justice, family regulation, and veterans rights. Your proposal need not be fully formed, as we will work with the selected fellowship candidate to develop their proposal for submission. We are open to proposals on other emerging issues relevant to the Center.
Please tailor your cover letters/proposal to explain why you're interested in working with the Center for Liberty.
We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by September 15, 2025.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
What You'll Do:
Reporting to the Center Director, the Fellow will be involved in developing litigation and advocacy strategy around the Fellow's project proposal. The Fellow will also contribute to the other programmatic work of the Center for Liberty.
Your Day to Day:
- Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects
- Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs
- Interview witnesses and potential clients
- Participate in discovery and trial practice
- Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials
- Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys
- Help manage summer legal internship program and supervise student interns
- Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed
Future Aclu'ers Will
- Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
- Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
What You'll Bring
- J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2026
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice
- Willingness to work closely with the Center for Liberty through the funding application process
- 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 as well as within a team
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion
