Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, Center for Liberty

About the role#

The ACLU is seeking candidates for a sponsored Legal Fellowship to begin in the fall of 2027. This opportunity is open to rising third-year law students and recent law graduates interested in pursuing public interest fellowships, such as Equal Justice Works. The Fellow will work within the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Center for Liberty, which focuses on reproductive freedom, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, religious freedom, and disability rights. This is a full-time, paid position represented by a collective bargaining unit.

What you'll do#

Reporting to the Center Director, the Fellow will contribute to priority litigation and advocacy projects. Responsibilities include:

• Conducting legal research and analysis to develop litigation theories.
• Drafting legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs.
• Interviewing witnesses and potential clients.
• Participating in discovery, hearings, and trial practice.
• Drafting public education and non-litigation advocacy materials.
• Providing support to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys.
• Helping manage the summer legal internship program and supervising student interns.
• Engaging in public speaking and attending meetings or conferences.

What you'll need#

• A J.D. or expected receipt of a J.D. by the spring of 2027.
• Admission to practice in New York, NY, or Washington, DC (or agreement to become admitted within one year of hire).
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice.
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Willingness to work closely with the Center for Liberty through the funding application process.

Location & details#

This position is based in New York, NY, or Washington, DC. It is a hybrid role requiring in-office attendance of two days per week or eight days per month.