American Civil Liberties Union

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), the New York state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, is accepting applications from law students interested in a part-time externship with the Legal Department during the school-year. 

 

The NYCLU is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with six chapters and approximately 50,000 members statewide. The NYCLU defends the rights and freedoms embodied in the state and federal constitutions. We focus on freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to privacy, reproductive rights, youth and student rights, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, voting rights, and the protections afforded those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The NYCLU engages in various forms of advocacy, including litigation, legislative and policy initiatives and public education. For more information about the NYCLU, please visit www.nyclu.org.

 

Externs will work with one or two NYCLU attorneys on research and writing related to ongoing and potential litigation, typically focused on one or more specific topic areas. The externship is unpaid, although applicants are welcome to seek funding from other sources or to seek law-school credit for the externship.

 

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in civil rights, civil liberties and social justice, possess excellent writing and communication skills, and have completed at least one year of law school prior to the externship semester. 

 

Applicants will be evaluated on a rolling basis, but interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications no later than two months before the beginning of the externship semester. Externship applicants should send a cover letter (indicating any topic areas of particular interest), resume, list of three references (with email and phone contact information), and short writing sample (5-10 pages). Applications can be sent by email to externships@nyclu.org, with “Law Student Externship” in the subject line. Applications may also be sent by mail to:

 

 

The NYCLU will confirm the receipt of applications by letter or email. No phone calls please. Applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted directly by NYCLU attorneys.