ACLU is hiring a
West Michigan Legal Fellow

Summary

The job is a two-year Legal Fellow position at the ACLU’s western regional office in Grand Rapids starting in fall 2022. The fellow will work closely with the Senior Staff Attorney to help develop and litigate impact civil liberties and civil rights cases on a wide variety of cutting-edge 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

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

• Salary range of $58,000-$63,000, depending on experience
• Excellent benefits including health insurance, a 401(k) plan, and generous vacation time