About the role#
The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project offers a two-year fellowship for early-career professionals. This position focuses on First and Fourth Amendment advocacy, including issues like online expression, electronic privacy, and the impact of algorithmic decision-making. You will join the national office in New York to gain training and experience in civil liberties litigation.
What you'll do#
- Participate in litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including legal research, client interviews, and drafting briefs.
- Assist in drafting amicus curiae briefs.
- Support ACLU affiliate litigation and legislative policy work.
- Advance policy goals through public education and coalition building.
- Help manage the summer legal internship program and supervise student interns.
- Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.
What you'll need#
- A J.D. or an expectation of receiving one by Spring 2027.
- A commitment to the mission of the ACLU.
- Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills.
- A commitment to working collaboratively toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
- A personal approach that values diversity and respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socio-economic circumstance.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid, two-year fellowship based in New York, New York.
- The position requires on-site work.
- The fellowship term begins in Fall 2027.
About ACLU
The ACLU is a non-profit organization focused on the defense of civil rights and liberties. Founded in 1920, the group operates out of New York and Washington. It works on issues including voting rights, criminal justice reform, and freedom of speech. The organization employs over 1,200 people.
How to get in at ACLU
Securing an internship at the ACLU requires timing and persistence. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first, as early applicants get seen before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting applications into a void. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves response rates. Connecting with a human recruiter often provides more clarity than a standard application portal.
