Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project
Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project
Posted on :
08-06-2025
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Job Description
ABOUT THE JOB
The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a LegalFellow for one or two year(s). The Capital Punishment Projectof the National office inDurham NC seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works Justice Catalyst 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 in our Durham NC Washington DC or New York City office.
OVERVIEW
The Capital Punishment Project part of the ACLUs Center for Justice challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation including direct representation of capital defendants. The Projects litigation is conducted throughout the country with a particular focus on the South.
The Capital Punishment Project is interested in sponsoring a candidate to work onlitigation challengingrace discrimination in the application of the death Project welcomes additional suggestions from prospective fellow applicants.
Please tailor your cover letters to explain why youre interested in working with CPP on the project described below.
We will review applications on a rolling basis but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 13 2025.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
WHAT YOULL DO
Reporting to the Director the Fellow will advance the Projects systemic challenges to race discrimination in the application of the death penalty under state constitution and state racial justice statutes. This may include litigation to secure public records working with social science experts and drafting pleadings.
Our staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals for submission helping tailor the proposal to address an important civil liberties issue. Proposed projects often combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education.
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 CPPthrough 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.
Employment Type
Contract
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