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 two years. The Trone Center for Justice and Equality of the National office in San Francisco CA or New York NYseeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2026. This is ahybrid rolethat has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight(8) days per month.
The ACLUs Trone Center for Justice and Equality leads cutting edge litigation focused on combatting inequity oppression and dehumanization in the criminal legal system and systemic inequalities faced by communities of color across the country. The Center is comprised of five Projects/Programs working on these issues: the Capital Punishment Project the National Prison Project the Racial Justice Program Criminal Law Reform Project and the John Adams Project. The Trone Center also leads the ACLUs work on unhoused justice which focuses on challenging laws and practices that criminalize homelessness and protecting the rights of unhoused individuals.
We will review applications on a rolling basis but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications byJune 16 2025.
Please tailor your cover letters to explain why youre interested in working with the center on the project described below.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
WHAT YOULL DO
Reporting to the Center Director the Fellowwill be an integral part of the Trone Center team with a focus on the centers unhoused justice work. The fellow will also work collaboratively with various ACLU projects and affiliates on litigation and advocacy related to racial justice and criminal legal system change.
The Trone Center welcomes applications from prospective fellows who are interested in protecting and furthering the rights of unhoused people. The Trone Center is particularly interested in candidates for a potential fellowship project focused on litigation strategies to combat a resurgence of vagrancy laws which were historically designed to expel punish or otherwise discourage the presence of people deemed undesirable in public spaces particularly people of color. In recent years as housing has become more unaffordable and homelessness has surged cities and states have increasingly turned to similar laws that criminalize homelessness a trend that was accelerated by the Supreme Courts 2024 decision in Grants Pass. The Trone legal fellow would respond to this moment by developing a litigation and integrated advocacy strategy to prevent the resurgence of vagrancy laws including anti-panhandling and anti-loitering staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals for submission.
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
FUTURE ACLUERS 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 YOULL BRING
J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2026
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law civil liberties criminal justice and racial justice
Willingness to work closely with the Trone Centerthrough 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: $92374-$115393
3-5 years since law school graduation: $129244-$152480
6-10 years since law school graduation: $159461- $179891
11-15 years since law school graduation: $183255-$193657
16-20 years since law school graduation: $195485-$200519
21-25 years since law school graduation: $201534-$205663
26-30 years since law school graduation: $206654- $210677
The ACLU is committed to equity transparency and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York NY where are 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:
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 its 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 coverage parental leave gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds internal professional development programs and workshops
OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY EQUITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Accessibility equity diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty equality and justice for all. For us diversity equity accessibility and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth humility and grace transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression anti-ableism and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether were in the courts or in the office we believe We the People means all of us.
With this commitment in mind we strongly encourage 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 law.
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 email. If you are selected for an interview you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.