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About the Role

The ACLU’s National Prison Project (NPP) invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for sponsorship for externally-funded public interest fellowships, beginning in Fall 2027. This hybrid role requires two in-office days per week or eight days per month. Founded in 1972, NPP is the only organization nationally litigating carceral conditions cases, ensuring prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, and immigration detention centers comply with constitutional, domestic, and international human rights principles. Through litigation, public education, and advocacy, NPP works to ensure humane conditions, center the humanity of incarcerated people, and reverse policies contributing to the U.S.'s high incarceration rate. Priorities include improving prison healthcare, eliminating violence, ending solitary confinement, defending First Amendment rights, and increasing oversight in detention facilities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority for submissions by June 19, 2026. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the Fellow will work on existing cases and develop a fellowship project to advance the body of law for incarcerated people. Staff will assist candidates in tailoring proposals to external funders, often combining litigation, advocacy, community outreach, and public education. Priority project topics include challenging long-term incarceration of people with mental illness in jails, opposing non-traditional carceral structures, and addressing unregulated private transport of incarcerated and detained individuals.

Responsibilities

Work on existing cases
Develop and execute a fellowship project to advance law for incarcerated people
Develop proposals for external funders
Combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education
Conduct legal research and analysis
Develop theories to support new litigation projects
Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs
Interview witnesses and potential clients, including incarcerated people
Monitor prison and jail systems’ compliance with existing settlement agreements
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
Engage in public speaking
Attend meetings and conferences as needed
Engage in special projects and other assigned duties

Requirements

J.D. or expected J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school by Spring 2027
Qualify for externally funded fellowships (e.g., 2027 law school graduates, bridge fellowship participants, or recent clerkship completers)
Admission to applicable state or D.C. Bar, or taking a bar exam by Summer 2027
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, and criminal justice issues
Prior experience or knowledge of mass incarceration (preferred)
Willingness to collaborate with NPP during the funding application process
Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
Excellent interpersonal skills
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
Self-motivated with initiative, task management, and project completion abilities
Commitment to advancing the ACLU mission
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, demonstrating diversity with multiple perspectives
Commitment to collaborative and respectful conflict resolution

Skills

Legal research
Legal analysis
Legal writing
Verbal communication
Fact-finding
Interpersonal skills
Independent work
Teamwork
Initiative
Task management
Project management
Public speaking
Advocacy
Public education

Location

New York, NY
Hybrid (2 days/week or 8 days/month in-office)

Work Type

Hybrid
Externally-funded fellowship

Experience Level

Rising third-year law student
Recent law graduate
0-2 years since law school graduation
Qualifying bridge fellowship participant
Recently completed clerkship

Education Level

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school (by Spring 2027)
Admission to applicable state or D.C. Bar (or taking exam by Summer 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 school 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
Internal professional development 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 critical civil liberties issues, including ending mass incarceration, achieving LGBTQ+ equality, establishing digital privacy protections, and preserving voting and abortion rights.
The organization values its people, recognizing that benefits are essential for their work and overall well-being.

Equal Opportunity

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core ACLU values, central to advancing liberty, equality, and justice for all.
The ACLU is committed to long-term meaningful change through diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
The organization fosters a community of learning, growth, humility, grace, transparency, and accountability.
A collective responsibility exists to create a culture of belonging, respecting differences, treating everyone equitably, and empowering colleagues.
The ACLU is committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally and externally.
Applications are 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 protected characteristic.
The ACLU provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.
Assistance for online applications for qualified individuals with disabilities is available via benefits.hrdept@aclu.org.
Interview accommodation information will be provided to selected candidates.