Overview
ABOUT THE JOBThe ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time fellowship position of two years in the Legal Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC (remote working arrangements will be considered).The ACLU National Legal Department comprises fourteen subject matter projects, clustered in three Centers. The National Legal Director supervises the work of all the projects and handles all of the ACLU’s Supreme Court work, whether it arises from a national project or an affiliate. In addition, the National Legal Director manages the national legal department and advises and assists on trial and appellate court litigation on an as-needed basis.Since March of 2020, the ACLU has filed more than a dozen lawsuits seeking to protect people in prisons and jails from injury or death from COVID-19. These lawsuits seek the release of incarcerated people, particularly those who are medically vulnerable, as well as the implementation of essential public health measures to protect prisoners, staff, and the community. The Senior Fellow will play a leading role in this litigation, serving as lead counsel or co-lead counsel on a number of these cases, and helping to coordinate the overall litigation effort. The Senior Fellow will report to the National Legal Director, but will work principally with the National Prison Project and the Criminal Law Reform Project on COVID detention litigation. The attorney should also be prepared to contribute to all aspects of the Legal Department’s litigation and non-litigation work, as needed.RESPONSIBILITIESEngage in litigation in federal and state court, including drafting pleadings, briefs, and affidavitsServe as lead counsel or co-lead counsel on a substantial caseload of major class actions in federal and state court challenging prison and jail conditions in the pandemic, working closely with other staff attorneys and local counselConduct discovery and motion practice, handle hearings and trials, argue appeals in both federal and state courtsManage case development and conduct client and witness interviewsConduct legal research and write legal memorandaCollaborate with staff across the organization, including in other Projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, Communications, Affiliate Support and National Initiatives, the National Political Advocacy Department, and state affiliatesTravel as required for litigation, conferences, and case and strategy developmentSupervise junior attorneys, law student interns, and other staffMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSJ.D. degree and demonstrated experience in litigationSignificant experience leading conditions of confinement or other complex institutional reform litigationAdmission to a State Bar required; admission to New York or the District of Columbia bar preferredAbility to engage in complex legal analysis and fact findingDemonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasivelyAbility to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environmentCommitment to the mission of the ACLUDemonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance.Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflictsPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSAt least five years of legal experience Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressureFamiliarity with criminal justice issues preferredFluency in Spanish a plusABOUT THE ACLUFor 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 LGBT 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 from government abuse and overreach.The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable lawThe ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
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