Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, State Supreme Court Initiative
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">ABOUT THE JOB</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<p>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 one/ two year(s). The State Supreme Court Initiative of the National office in <strong>New York City or Washington, DC</strong> seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works 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.</p>
<h2><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)">OVERVIEW</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></span></h2>
<p>We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by <strong>June 17, 2026</strong>.</p>
<p>Please tailor your cover letters to (1) include a statement of your interest in working with the SSCI specifically, and (2) address whether you are interested in one- or two-year fellowships (or both), and the sources of external fellowship funding for which you intend to apply.</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT YOU'LL DO</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<p>Reporting to a Co-Director, the Fellow will focus on identifying and briefing cutting-edge cases of constitutional importance in state supreme courts and, in appropriate circumstances, other state courts. The SSCI anticipates that the Fellow will devote a significant portion of the fellowship to litigation matters and other projects with the potential to (1) substantially expand access to justice in state courts, (2) establish more robust state constitutional equality protections, and/or (3) protect and expand the role of state constitutions and courts in promoting democracy and citizen participation.</p>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">YOUR DAY TO DAY</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span></h2>
<ul>
<li>Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects</li>
<li>Draft legal memoranda, briefs, motions, and other legal pleadings</li>
<li>Develop research, template arguments, and other resources to support the work of ACLU projects, affiliates, and cooperating attorneys</li>
<li>Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials</li>
<li>Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys</li>
<li>Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":720,"335559737":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240,"335559991":360}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">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</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts</span> </li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT YOU'LL BRING</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<ul>
<li>J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027</li>
<li>Admission to practice where based (NY or DC) is preferred; if not currently admitted, agreement to become admitted within one year of hire (for two-year fellows)</li>
<li>Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice</li>
<li>Willingness to work closely with the State Supreme Court Initiative through the funding application process</li>
<li>Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills</li>
<li>Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding</li>
<li>Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team</li>
<li>Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">COMPENSATION</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559738":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">0-2 years since law school graduation: $96,069 - $120,009</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,839 - $187,087</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">11-15 years since law school graduation: $190,585 - $201,403</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">16-20 years since law school graduation: $203,304 - $208,540</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">21-25 years since law school graduation: $209,595 - $213,890</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">26-30+ years since law school graduation: $214,920 - $219,104</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY, where our National Offices are headquartered. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559738":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For details on our pay structure, please visit:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf"><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf</span></span></a> <span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<h2><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHY THE ACLU</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559738":240,"33
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