ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time, two-year Nadine Strossen Fellowship with the National Security Project of the ACLU’s National Office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The National Security Project fights for people and communities harmed by the government in the name of national security, particularly people of color and other marginalized communities who are disproportionately targeted. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, the Project strives to ensure that people are able to participate fully in civic life and are free from discrimination, unwarranted suspicion and surveillance, unlawful force and detention, and the injustices and stigma that result from these abuses of national security policy. Recognizing the danger of expansive claims of state power, the Project advocates for a robust system of checks and balances, and policies that comply with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.

The Nadine Strossen National Security Fellowship was established in recognition of Nadine Strossen’s outstanding leadership as ACLU President for over 18 years. As the first woman to lead the ACLU, Nadine Strossen has been an important trailblazer for the ACLU and civil rights and liberties.

Reporting to the Project Director and Deputy Project Director, the Nadine Strossen Fellow will conduct impact litigation and advocacy to advance civil rights and liberties, and challenge harms in the national security context. This is a two-year legal fellowship position that starts in Fall 2024. The ACLU encourages individuals with limited post-law school experience to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct legal research and analysis, fact development, and develop theories to support new litigation projects
• Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, declarations, motions, and briefs
• Interview and work with potential witnesses and clients
• Participate in discovery and trial practice as opportunities arise
• Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials
• Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates
• Help oversee and coordinate the summer internship program and student interns
• Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed

In addition to: 

• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. degree from a U.S. law school (by Spring 2024)
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Skill at performing complex legal analytical work
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil rights and liberties
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
• Experience, through personal connection or employment experience, working with marginalized communities whose civil rights and liberties are harmed by discriminatory or abusive national security policies
• Knowledge of and interest in civil liberties issues related to national security

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: $85,000-$106,182
• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $118,927-$140,309
• 6-10 years since law school graduation: $146,732- $165,531
• 11-15 years since law school graduation: $168,627-$178,198
• 16-20 years since law school graduation: $179,880-$184,512
• 21-25 years since law school graduation: $185,447-$189,246
• 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $190,158- $193,860

These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY. The salary will be subject to a locality adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National Office is headquartered.

ABOUT THE ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

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 from government abuse and overreach.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. 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 and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages 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. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

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 [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.