The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU) seeks highly motivated law students for summer internship positions in its Racial Justice Program. The Racial Justice Program (RJP) aims to preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed and other rights to segments of the population that historically have been denied those rights on the basis of race, ethnicity or national origin.
Interns will work with an experienced team of racial justice lawyers in the ACLU’s National Headquarters in New York City on a broad range of racial justice issues, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and education. In the area of criminal justice, RJP is dedicated to reducing the unwarranted and disproportionate targeting and incarceration of people of color. In the area of education, we seek to ensure that all children have access to quality education, regardless of race or ethnicity. Specifically, we have filed civil challenges to the inadequate provision of indigent criminal and juvenile defense, pre- and post-9/11 racial profiling, and disparate educational opportunities. We also have done litigation or other advocacy, including public education and community organizing, against the racially disproportionate imposition of incarceration, the school-to-prison pipeline, and in the area of healthcare.
Summer internships last between 10-12 weeks. Interns assist in all aspects of litigation, including legal research, factual investigation, and the drafting of memoranda, affidavits, and briefs.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
First- and second-year law students are encouraged to apply. Students who wish to split their summers with another organization will be considered at RJP’s discretion. Students are highly encouraged to seek public interest fellowships or other funding for the internship. Arrangements also can be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends. In the event a student is unable to secure alternative funding, RJP will provide a modest stipend. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to racial justice issues, civil rights, and civil liberties. They should be self-motivated, articulate and capable of complex legal analytical work. Excellent legal research and writing skills are essential. Experience conducting factual research is also beneficial.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be postmarked no later than November 1, 2006, for 2Ls, and no later than January 15, 2007, for 1Ls. Applications should include a cover letter, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. Applications should be sent to:
Melissa Francisco
ATTN: 2007 Summer Internship Program
Racial Justice Program
ACLU Foundation
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”