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About the Role

The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and law graduates to apply for a sponsored Legal Fellow opportunity within the Disability Rights Program for up to two years, starting in Fall 2027. This hybrid role, based in San Francisco, CA or Washington, D.C., supports the program's mission to achieve an America free of discrimination against people with disabilities, ensuring full access to education, homes, healthcare, jobs, families, voting, and civic engagement. The Fellow will develop and pursue a litigation and advocacy project at the intersection of disability rights and civil liberties, with a focus on challenging discrimination in emergency response, increasing access to treatment for substance use disorders, challenging involuntary treatment and institutionalization, addressing school policing discrimination, or using disability rights laws to challenge voter suppression. Fellows must secure external funding, with staff support for proposal development.

Responsibilities

Develop and pursue a litigation and advocacy project at the intersection of disability rights and civil liberties
Work closely with the Disability Rights Program to craft and implement project proposals
Conduct legal research and analysis to develop theories for 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 the summer legal internship program and supervise student interns
Engage in special projects and other assigned duties

Requirements

Commitment to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Commitment to centering and embedding principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging, demonstrating diversity
Commitment to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
J.D. or expected J.D. by Spring 2027
Admission to practice in San Francisco, CA or Washington, D.C. (dependent on work location), or agreement to become admitted within one year of hire
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice
Willingness to work closely with the Disability Rights Program through the funding application process

Skills

Excellent research skills
Excellent writing skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to conduct complex legal analysis
Ability to conduct fact-finding
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to work within a team
Self-motivation
Ability to take initiative
Ability to manage a variety of tasks
Ability to see projects through to completion

Location

San Francisco, CA
Washington, D.C.

Work Type

Legal Fellowship
Hybrid
Full-time

Experience Level

Rising third-year law students
Law graduates
0-2 years since law school graduation
3-5 years since law school graduation
6-10 years since law school graduation
11-15 years since law school graduation
16-20 years since law school graduation
21-25 years since law school graduation
26-30+ years since law school graduation

Education Level

J.D. or expected J.D. by Spring 2027

Salary/Compensations

0-2 years since law school graduation: $96,069 - $120,009
3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579
6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,839 - $187,087
11-15 years since law school graduation: $190,585 - $201,403
16-20 years since law school graduation: $203,304 - $208,540
21-25 years since law school graduation: $209,595 - $213,890
26-30+ years since law graduation: $214,920 - $219,104

Benefits

Generous paid time-off policy
Comprehensive healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
401k plan with employer match
Annual professional development funds
Internal professional development programs and workshops

About the Company

For over 100 years, the ACLU has defended and preserved individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws.
The ACLU addresses civil liberties issues such as ending mass incarceration, achieving LGBTQ+ equality, establishing digital privacy protections, and preserving voting and abortion rights.
The Disability Rights Project (DRP), established in 2012, litigates and advocates to end the overrepresentation of people with disabilities in the criminal legal system, promote alternatives to guardianship, and secure equal access to the ballot.
DRP supports affiliates and the National office on disability rights issues intersecting with civil liberties.

Equal Opportunity

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to advancing liberty, equality, and justice for all.
The ACLU is a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability.
The organization believes in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people, respecting and embracing difference, treating everyone equitably, and empowering colleagues.
The ACLU is committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally and externally.
Applications are strongly encouraged 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, 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.