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About the Role

The ACLU of Northern California's Legal Advocacy Department invites law and policy graduate students to apply for its Criminal Law & Immigration Project externship. This externship offers a rewarding learning experience for students willing to work with intensity and focus, providing opportunities to engage in cutting-edge impact litigation and policy change to defend and expand civil liberties and civil rights.

Responsibilities

Participate in one or more of the team’s core streams of work: Prosecutorial Accountability, Police Accountability, Decarceration, and Immigrants’ Rights.
Conduct legal and policy research and analysis.
Help author advocacy materials, portions of court documents, and pre-litigation demand letters.
Assist with legislative or other local campaigns.
Attend and participate in hearings at the state and county level and meetings with policy-makers and advocates.
Attend appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions.
Attend and participate in departmental meetings where prospective litigation and policy strategies are discussed.
Potentially work across the Department’s three broad issue areas: Criminal Law & Immigration, Democracy, Speech & Technology, and Special Litigation & Appeals.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in law school or a graduate program in criminal justice, public policy, or a related field.
Demonstrate a passion for criminal justice and immigrants’ rights and the overarching mission of the ACLU.
Must earn academic credit for participation in Spring/Fall externship programs.
Applications must include a Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Sample in PDF format.

Skills

Strong research skills
Strong writing skills
Strong oral communication skills
Enthusiasm
Creativity
Detail-oriented

Location

In-person near Fresno, Sacramento, or San Francisco
Remote
Hybrid

Work Type

Full-time
Part-time

Experience Level

Graduate student

Education Level

Law school or graduate program in criminal justice, public policy, or a related field

About the Company

The ACLU of Northern California's Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues cutting edge impact litigation to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
The Department's work focuses on three broad issue areas: Criminal Law & Immigration; Democracy, Speech & Technology; and Special Litigation & Appeals.
Department staff are based in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno.
Department staff work closely with other departments within ACLU NorCal, including Organizing, Communications, Development, as well as with ACLU California Action.

Equal Opportunity

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law.
The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.
This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment.
Through this policy, ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive and free from discrimination.