FALL 2008 FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES [RFP-01 & RFP-17]
NOTICE TO THIRD-YEAR LAW STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
American Civil Liberties Union
Reproductive Freedom Project, NY

Since its founding in the 1920s, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the nation’s foremost defender of individual rights, has fought to ensure that the decision whether or not to have a child be informed, meaningful, and protected from unwarranted government interference. The ACLU is particularly committed to ensuring that individuals’ reproductive rights are not compromised because of their race, youth, or economic status, and believes that reproductive rights work must be informed by broader racial and social justice considerations. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project works to protect access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care, from sexuality education and family planning services to prenatal care and childbearing assistance to abortion counseling and services.

For more than thirty years, the ACLU has been involved, in one way or another, with virtually every reproductive rights case to reach the Supreme Court, including Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, in which the Project was lead counsel. Current Project cases include constitutional challenges to bans on safe abortion procedures, suits against prisons that deny access to abortion, and cases to restore Medicaid coverage for abortions to ensure real choice for low-income women. In addition, Project lawyers defend women who are incarcerated for using drugs during their pregnancies; promote teens’ access to confidential reproductive health care; and work to ensure that young people receive comprehensive sex education. The Project is also the nation’s leading expert on the intersection between reproductive rights and the religion clauses of the First Amendment.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Fellow will function as an integral part of the Project’s litigation teams. The Fellow will provide legal research and analysis; draft pleadings, affidavits, and briefs; may interview clients and experts; and may participate in discovery. The Fellow may also participate in public speaking and attend relevant conferences. The Fellowship is unique among reproductive rights positions in that it involves working with the ACLU’s nationwide network of affiliates and other attorneys in the organization who specialize in other civil liberties areas, including free speech, race and poverty issues, and lesbian and gay rights. The Fellowship is for one year, and the Fellow will work in the New York office.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have excellent legal research, writing, analytic, and communication skills. Knowledge of reproductive rights law is not required, but an interest in reproductive rights, civil liberties, racial and social justice, and issues affecting low-income women is essential. Applicants should be self-motivated and have the proven ability to work with a wide range of people. Third-year law students and recent graduates are invited to apply.

COMPENSATION:
The salary will be according to the ACLU salary scale; salaries begin in the high $50’s. Excellent benefits package provided.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send a resume, letter of interest, the names and phone numbers of three references, and a legal writing sample (preferably either a legal research memo or a section of a brief) to:

Human Resources
American Civil Liberties Union
Re: [RFP-01&17/WACLU]
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Applications by email will not be accepted.

We strongly encourage candidates for the year beginning September 2008 to apply by November 1, 2007, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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

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.