American Civil Liberties Union

SUMMER 2010 LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE TO FIRST AND SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT
WASHINGTON, DC

The National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation invites first and second year law students to apply for summer 2010 Legal Internships.

OVERVIEW:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), America's foremost advocate of individual rights, is a non-partisan organization founded in 1920, with more than 5 National offices and over 50 affiliates throughout the country.

Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Prison Project seeks to ensure constitutional conditions of confinement and strengthen prisoners’ rights through class action litigation and public education. Our policy priorities include reducing prison overcrowding, improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment in prisons and jails, and minimizing the reliance on incarceration as a criminal justice sanction. The Project also publishes a semi-annual Journal, coordinates a nationwide network of litigators, conducts training and public education conferences, and provides expert advice and technical assistance to local community groups and lawyers throughout the country.

The population in American prisons and jails has tripled in the past 15 years with the predictable consequence that facilities are overcrowded; medical systems are overwhelmed; work, education, and treatment programs are inadequate; and idleness and inadequate supervision lead to greater levels of violence. As our national prison and jail population has climbed to over two million persons, it has grown increasingly racially skewed. On any given day, one-third of all African-American males are under some form of criminal justice supervision, and for black males in their twenties, one in every eight is in prison or jail. These trends have been exacerbated by the impact of the "war on drugs," with three fourths of all those convicted of drug offenses being persons of color, far out of proportion to their share of drug users in society. The consequences of these racial disparities in the criminal justice system reach beyond the prison gates: for example, as a result of state felony disenfranchisement laws, an estimated 13% of all black males are not eligible to vote.

The Project, with a staff of six attorneys, has fought and continues to fight unlawful prison conditions and practices through successful litigation on behalf of prisoners in more than 25 states. Since 1991, the Project has represented prisoners in five cases before the United States Supreme Court. It is the only organization litigating prison conditions of confinement nationwide on behalf of men, women, and juveniles. Currently, the Project represents over 50,000 prisoners housed in prisons and jails in 20 states, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

OVERVIEW:
The legal interns will work closely with staff lawyers on major class actions and damages cases in federal court. The work includes drafting pleadings and briefs, participating in discovery and motion practice, and working on trials and appeals. In addition, the clerks will provide technical assistance to ACLU state affiliates, cooperating lawyers, and other lawyers who seek assistance from the Project.

Students are highly encouraged to seek Public Interest Fellowship funds for the internship. Arrangements can also be made with the student’s law school for work/study credits. However, interns who are unable to secure funding will be eligible for a stipend from the Project.

QUALIFICATIONS:
First and second year law students are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have:

• Strong analytical, research and verbal skills.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to civil liberties and public interest law.
• Familiarity with criminal justice issues is highly desirable.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications consist of a cover letter, current resume, the names and phone numbers of three references, and at least one legal writing sample. Applications should be sent via e-mail to gbigelow@dcaclu.org. Reference [2010 Summer Legal Internship – NPP] in the subject of your e-mail or submit your materials by mail to:

E.M. Bigelow
Re: 2010 Summer Legal Internship – NPP
National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union
915 15^th Street, NW – Seventh Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this posting.

The deadline is November 7, 2009, but we expect to complete its hiring by the end of 2009. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbians and gay men to apply.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”