New

Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Criminal Law Reform Project

New York, New York, United States
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 Legal Fellow for one or two year(s). The Criminal Law Reform Project of the National office in New York, NY, 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 a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
 
The Criminal Law Reform Project’s mission is to advocate for the constitutional and civil rights of those impacted by criminal legal systems. We use litigation and advocacy to confront systemic government conduct that fuels the carceral state and police abuse, and oppresses people based on race, class, and other characteristics. CLRP does this work because everyone suspected, accused, or convicted of a crime deserves dignity, fairness, and an opportunity to thrive. Ultimately, we seek to shift power to under resourced communities and to elevate approaches to justice and safety that advance fundamental rights for all. CLRP partners closely with our affiliates across the country and with other ACLU departments to build a movement for social change, promote racial justice, and win reforms needed to significantly reduce our nation’s incarcerated population.
 
We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 13, 2025. 
 
Please tailor your cover letters to explain why you’re interested in working with CLRP on the project described below.
 
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). 
 
WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Policing, the Fellow will advance our campaign to fill the vacuum created by the Trump Administration's abdication of the federal government's crucial role in investigating and remedying abusive and discriminatory policing in local departments. The fellow will assist in investigating current practices in police departments found to have engaged in excessive force and racial profiling; working with local stakeholders to implement systems to ensure accountability; and developing litigation where necessary.

Our staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals for submission, helping tailor the proposal to address an important civil liberties issue. 

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 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 2026 
  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice 
  • Willingness to work closely with CLRP 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: $92,374-$115,393 
  • 3-5 years since law school graduation: $129,244-$152,480 
  • 6-10 years since law school graduation: $159,461- $179,891 
  • 11-15 years since law school graduation: $183,255-$193,657 
  • 16-20 years since law school graduation: $195,485-$200,519 
  • 21-25 years since law school graduation: $201,534-$205,663 
  • 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $206,654- $210,677 
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: 
 
 
WHY THE ACLU 
 
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. 
 
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 we’re 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 benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

 

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