Legal Fellowship

About the role#

The ACLU of Pennsylvania is seeking candidates for a two-year Legal Fellowship starting in the fall of 2027. This position is a project-based fellowship designed for third-year law students and recent graduates. The fellow will work closely with the ACLU-PA to secure external funding through public interest organizations such as Equal Justice Works, the Independence Foundation, or Skadden. Candidates should indicate an interest in specific focus areas, including criminal legal reform, immigrants’ rights, free-speech rights, or voting rights.

What you'll do#

• Participate in and support major civil rights and civil liberties litigation.
• Engage in fact-gathering and pre-litigation work, including public-records requests and attending court hearings.
• Conduct legal research and analysis, draft pleadings, briefs, memoranda, and demand letters.
• Communicate with clients, potential clients, and organizational partners.
• Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials.
• Assist with non-litigation efforts, such as recruiting private counsel and working with coalition partners.
• Help manage the summer legal internship program and supervise student interns.
• Complete all requirements necessary to maintain funding through the sponsoring organization.

What you'll need#

• A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Membership in the Pennsylvania Bar, or eligibility to sit for the Pennsylvania Bar examination by summer 2026.
• Exceptional writing, research, and analytical skills.
• A strong understanding of civil liberties and civil rights.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with legal staff and community partners.
• Excellent communication skills with both legal and non-legal audiences.

Location & details#

• Locations: Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• Modality: Hybrid (suggested two days per week in-office).
• Term: Full-time, 12-24 months (term-limited).
• Compensation: $68,055 per year, supported by external project-based funding.
• Benefits: Includes health, life, and long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a defined contribution plan with employer match.