Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, Voting Rights Project
About The Position
The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for up to two years. The ACLU Voting Rights Project (VRP) of the National office in New York seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works, Skadden, or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2027. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. Established in 1965, VRP has worked to advance gains in political participation won by voters of color since passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA). Since its inception, the Voting Rights Project has litigated hundreds of voting rights cases, and has aggressively and successfully challenged efforts to suppress voting or to dilute minority voting strength. The Project’s mission is to build and defend an accessible, inclusive, and equitable democracy free from racial discrimination. The Project has three principles: (1) all Americans should be eligible to vote; (2) voting should be free and easy; and (3) all people should count equally. We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 22, 2026. Please tailor your cover letters to explain why you’re interested in working with VRP on the project described below. The project proposal should be a maximum of 2-pages, inclusive of any footnotes; this proposal should outline the problem you are trying to solve and your proposed solution, including any potential legal claims and target jurisdictions. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
Requirements
- J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027
- Admission to practice in New York; if not currently admitted, agreement to become admitted within one year of hire
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice
- Willingness to work closely with the Voting Rights Project 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-motivation with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion
Nice To Haves
- 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
Responsibilities
- 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
Benefits
- Generous paid time-off policy
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
- 401k plan and employer match
- Annual professional development funds
- Internal professional development programs and workshops
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
