Externally Funded Legal Fellowship starting Fall 2025

Position Overview: The ACLU of Virginia is currently accepting applications from qualified thirdyear law students and recent law graduates with a commitment to civil rights and civil liberties who seek a host organization for an externally funded fellowship (Justice Catalyst Soros law school sponsored fellowships etc..

The ACLU of Virginias current legal docket includes a wide range of active matters including several class action cases in the areas of prison conditions criminal legal reform First Amendment voting rights LGBTQ rights immigrants rights and other issues. The ACLU of Virginia also employs an integrated advocacy model where the organizations legal policy organizing and communications departments work handinhand to advance the affiliates priorities.

The fellow will be supervised by managers in the ACLU of Virginias legal team to support new and ongoing impact litigation and nonlitigation advocacy done in collaboration with other teams. Previous fellows have had the opportunity to develop facts and research for new litigation; work with current and potential ACLUVA clients; participate in discovery matters in pending litigation; conduct legal and policy research on a variety of issues; participate in settlement negotiations; draft sections of legal briefs and complaints; and collaborate with grassroots and communitybased organizations.

The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Black Indigenous and people of color immigrants people with disabilities bi or multilingual (including Indigenous languages) speakers individuals with multicultural experiences members of the LGBTQ community those who have been formerly incarcerated or are currently under supervision and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We seek to build a diverse team and an inclusive organizational culture. All qualified applicants who share our vision and who have a desire to contribute to our mission are encouraged to apply.

Compensation & Schedule: This opportunity is not funded by the ACLU of Virginia. The ACLU of Virginia will cooperate with successful applicants to seek external fellowship support and the salary will be based on the terms of the fellowship awarded. For fellowship funding opportunities with lower salaries the ACLU of Virginia may be able to contribute to ensure that the fellow is paid within the range of $60000 $71200.

In addition we offer excellent benefits including paid time off generous paid holidays a 401k plan with employer contribution flexible spending account paid medical dental and vision insurance 50 employerpaid dependent medical coverage life insurance annual sick leave shortterm and longterm disability insurance and professional development allowances.

ACLUVA office hours are 9:00 am 5:00 pm Monday Friday. Law fellows must reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia or within 150 miles of our downtown Richmond headquarters must be able to work in person in Richmond in accordance with ACLUVAs remote work policy and must be able to attend other inperson events in various locations in Virginia as needed.

Application process: Applications from all interested candidates are welcome and will be considered on a rolling basis. Any decision to support a candidate will be made considering the ACLUVAs programmatic needs and available resources as well as the applicants skills and qualifications. Applications must be in PDF format and include the following:

1. Cover Letter that includes:

The academic year or other timeframe for which you seek a fellowship.

The name(s) deadline(s) and funding amounts of any fellowship(s) for which you are applying.

A statement describing why you want to work at the ACLU of Virginia and your commitment to civil rights and civil liberties.

If you are seeking a projectbased fellowship a detailed outline of the project for which you are seeking a sponsor organization along with a list of relevant deadlines and requirements.

2. Resume

3. Three Professional References

4. Writing Sample

Note: the writing sample should be no more than 10 pages and should demonstrate the applicants legal research and writing ability. The writing sample must reflect the applicants own abilities and should not have been substantially edited by another person.

How to Apply: Visit our career job posting site and apply online here. Please have the abovementioned PDF documents ready for upload before starting your application. If problems are encountered with the application form please contact

Skills and Qualifications: Applicants should be third year law students or recent law school graduates. Applicants should be able to articulate a commitment to working to expand and defend civil rights civil liberties and the ideals of the ACLU. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic creative proactive and detailoriented; have excellent research writing communication and interpersonal skills; and can work independently. Preference will be given to candidates who are seeking external funding for a twoyear fellowship term as well as to candidates who are willing to sit for the Virginia Bar Exam within six months of starting the position.