Legal Fellow

Summary

Join the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as a West Michigan Legal Fellow for a two-year position starting in fall 2022. This role provides emerging social justice leaders with excellent training and experience in impact litigation and integrated advocacy, focusing on civil liberties and civil rights issues.

Requirements

• Must have JD. Must be admitted to a state bar (Michigan or elsewhere), or become admitted within six months of starting the position
• A strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties and civil rights
• Exceptional writing, research and analytical skills, which can be demonstrated through clerkship, clinical, summer internship, or other experience
• Excellent communication skills to both legal and non-legal audiences
• Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with lawyers, other ACLU staff, and community partners
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction
• Proficiency with computers: Windows, Microsoft Office, and Excel in particular

Responsibilities

• Participate in investigating, developing and litigating impact civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court
• Conduct factual and legal research, draft pleadings and briefs, prepare memoranda, draft Freedom of Information Act requests, write demand letters, conduct discovery, and help write appellate and amicus briefs
• Review, comment, and edit letters and briefs of co-counsel and other ACLU staff
• Communicate with clients; answer client questions and manage class member interactions in several ongoing pieces of class action litigation
• Support the legal work of the ACLU’s Legal Department, as needed
• Advocate for civil liberties and civil rights and represent the ACLU at events and in coalitions, as appropriate
• Work with ACLU staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies utilizing ACLU’s communication, legislative, field organizing, and legal programs
• Contribute to the maintenance of the legal docket
• Work with volunteer lawyers to screen and develop promising civil liberties and civil rights cases
• Assist in managing the West Michigan office

Benefits

• Excellent benefits including health insurance
• A 401(k) plan
• Generous vacation time