Fall 2025 Legal Fellowship Sponsorship - Speech, Privacy, and Technology 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 one or two years. The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project (SPT) of the National office in New York, NY seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as project-based fellowships including Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or Soros; non-project-based fellowships including those sponsored by individual law schools; and other public interest fellowships, to begin in the fall of 2025. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, law enforcement surveillance, journalists’ rights, scientific and academic freedom, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Project Director and/or Deputy Director, the Fellow will serve as member of the litigation team on matters addressing freedom of speech, privacy in the digital age, or other project priorities. Responsibilities will include legal research, drafting of memos, briefs, and other work product, communicating with clients, co-counsel, and others involved in SPT litigation and advocacy, authoring public-facing advocacy materials such as blog posts, and other tasks.

We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by July 15, 2024.

The Fellow must secure external funding, please email hiring@aclu.org for funding requirements. Our staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals for submission, helping tailor the proposal to address an important civil liberties issue within the scope of SPT’s work.

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, including amicus 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
• Serve as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work

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 2025
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil liberties, including freedom of speech and privacy
• Willingness to work closely with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project through 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: $89,250-$111,491
• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $124,873-$147,324
• 6-10 years since law sch