Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, Criminal Law Reform Project

ABOUT THE JOB   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   Criminal Law Reform Project of the National office in New York, NY, or San Francisco, CA,   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.   OVERVIEW   The Criminal Law Reform Project’s mission is to advocate for the constitutional and civil rights of those impacted by criminal legal systems. We use litigation and advocacy to confront systemic government conduct that fuels the carceral state and police abuse, and oppresses people based on race, class, and other characteristics. CLRP does this work because everyone suspected, accused, or convicted of a crime deserves dignity, fairness, and an opportunity to thrive. Ultimately, we seek to shift power to under resourced communities and to elevate approaches to justice and safety that advance fundamental rights for all. CLRP partners closely with our affiliates across the country and with other ACLU departments to build a movement for social change, promote racial justice, and win reforms needed to significantly reduce our nation’s incarcerated population.  We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by  July 1, 2026 .   This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).   WHAT YOU'LL DO   Reporting to the  Project Director  and/ or Deputy Project Director,  the  Fellow   will advance our work challenging overloaded public defense systems that fail to provide indigent people with constitutionally adequate representation. The Fellow will pursue litigation and advocacy opportunities in multiple jurisdictions in both state and federal courts. YOUR DAY TO DAY   Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects   Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs   Interview witnesses and potential clients   Participate in discovery and trial practice   Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials   Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys   Help manage summer legal internship program and supervise student interns   Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed   Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned   FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL   Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU   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   Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts   WHAT YOU'LL BRING   J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027   Admission to a state bar ; if not currently admitted, agreement to become admitted within one year of hire   Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice   Willingness to work closely with  Criminal Law Reform Project  throug h the funding application process   Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills   Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding   Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team   Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion   COMPENSATION   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).   0-2 years since law school graduation: $96,069 - $120,009   3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579   6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,839 - $187,087   11-15 years since law school graduation: $190,585 - $201,403   16-20 years since law school graduation: $203,304 - $208,540   21-25 years since law school graduation: $209,595 - $213,890   26-30+ years since law school graduation: $214,920 - $219,104   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.    For details on our pay structure, please visit:   https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf   WHY THE ACLU   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.   We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.    At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:   Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy   Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision cover