American Civil Liberties Union

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
MARVIN A. KARPATKIN FELLOWSHIP
NOTICE TO THIRD-YEAR LAW STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
American Civil Liberties Union
Racial Justice Project, NY

OVERVIEW:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) invites applications for the Marvin A. Karpatkin Fellowship, which will begin in September 2010.

The Fellowship was established by the ACLU Board of Directors in memory of Marvin M. Karpatkin, the late General Counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, who died in January 1975, at the age of 48. Mr. Karpatkin was one of the ACLU's most active attorneys during the 1960s and early 1970s. He left his special mark in the areas of selective service and military law. His interest in those areas grew out of his own strong opposition to the Vietnam War and his desire to help those who, younger than himself, were faced with performing military service in a war they would not support.

Racial Justice Program (RJP) attorneys and staff work to challenge racial discrimination and related issues that have a disparate impact on communities of color, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and education. In the area of criminal justice, we are dedicated to reducing the unwarranted and disproportionate targeting and incarceration of people of color. In the area of education, we seek to ensure that all children have access to quality education, regardless of race or ethnicity. Specifically, we have filed civil challenges to the inadequate provision of indigent criminal and juvenile defense, racial profiling, and disparate educational opportunities. We have also campaigned against the racially-disproportionate imposition of incarceration and school discipline.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Karpatkin Fellow functions as part of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Project’s litigation team. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects
• Draft pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs;
• Interview witnesses and potential plaintiffs
• Participate in discovery and trial practice
• Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys
• Supervise student interns.

The Fellow also may be asked to engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Fellow is selected from third-year law students or recent graduates and will serve for a one-year period starting September 2010.
• Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law, and excellent research, writing and communication skills.
• Applicants should be self-motivated, hard working, and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people.

COMPENSATION:
Salary is based on the ACLU salary scale; salaries begin in the high $50’s. Excellent medical and dental benefits are provided.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send a letter, resume, two letters of recommendation and at least one legal writing sample to:

Human Resources
RE: [LGLF-06 & LGLF-45/WACLU]
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004

The application deadline is November 1, 2009. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this opportunity posted.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

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.”