2008 FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
American Civil Liberties Union
Capital Punishment Project
Durham, NC

The Capital Punishment Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applicants to sponsor for Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowships (Track I & Track II), Reprieve Fellowships and other public interest fellowships for Fall 2008 in the Project's Durham, North Carolina office.

FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW:
America's foremost advocate of individual rights, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan organization founded in 1920. With national offices in New York and Washington and 53 affiliates throughout the country, it is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier public interest law firms.

The ACLU Capital Punishment Project (CPP) challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing it. CPP engages in public education and advocacy as well as systemic reform and strategic litigation, including the direct representation of capital defendants. CPP priorities include challenging racial, economic and geographic discrimination in the application of the death penalty, opposing the execution of the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, improving the quality of counsel, protecting the innocent, and fighting recent attempts to expand the use of the death penalty.

The Capital Punishment Project seeks applicants to sponsor for public interest fellowships such as the Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowships and Reprieve Fellowships to begin Fall 2008 in the CPP's Durham, North Carolina office. CPP is interested in sponsoring a candidate to work on a project addressing one of CPP's core priority areas which could range from litigation and direct representation to advocacy and education campaigns. CPP staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD or expected JD by fall, 2008.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with complex legal analytical work.
• Ability to work independently, to be self motivated and to manage a variety of tasks.
• Commitment to civil liberties, civil rights, social justice and opposition to the death penalty.

HOW TO APPLY:
Individuals interested in receiving CPP sponsorship should send a letter of interest describing potential projects, a resume, an unofficial transcript, the names and telephone numbers of two legal references, and a legal writing sample to:

Attention: SPONSORED FELLOWSHIP
ACLU - CPP
201 W. Main St. Suite 402
Durham, NC 27701
Or
rrauch@aclu.org Attention: CPP - SPONSORED FELLOWSHIP

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

We encourage applicants to send materials by August 31, 2008, but applications will be accepted until a candidate is selected. Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowship applications are due by October 17, 2007 and Reprieve Fellowship applications are due by October 18, 2007. Applicants will be selected in time to prepare and submit applications by these deadlines.

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.