2008 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
NOTICE TO SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Washington Legislative Office, D.C.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Washington Legislative Office seeks law student interns for the Summer of 2008. Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union is the foremost advocate of individual rights.

OVERVIEW:
Legal Internships at the ACLU Washington Legislative Office provide students with an opportunity for active work and lobbying support in a specific substantive civil liberties area in which the Intern holds particular interest. Interns are supervised by, and work closely with, the Lobbyist whose area of focus matches the civil liberties interest of the Intern.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research the civil liberties implications of legislative proposals.
• Assist in drafting testimony for Congressional hearings.
• Attend hearings and prepare written reports on actions.
• Track legislation.
• Attend coalition meetings as necessary with lead lobbyist.
• Research and write issue statements for inclusion on the ACLU’s web page, newsletters and action alerts.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Second year law students preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to the support of civil liberties and to a particular interest in a specific area of legislation.
• Demonstrated understanding of constitutional law and legal research.
• Ability to work independently and to be highly motivated and creative.
• Must possess excellent writing and research skills.
• Completed course work in constitutional law is desirable.

The legislative intern will be expected to work 35 hours per week and is required to commit to a minimum of the 2008 summer term. Although full-time interns are preferred, part-time applicants will be considered.

COMPENSATION:
Students are highly encouraged to seek Public Interest Fellowship funds for the internship. Summer interns who do not secure funding from alternative sources, will be eligible for a stipend provided by the ACLU.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter specifying your areas of civil liberties interest, a resume and a writing sample of no more than 10 pages on any topic which may include anything previously written. Areas of civil liberties interest may include the following:

Applications may be mailed or e-mailed to Bernice Bolden, Internship Coordinator at 915 15^th Street, 6^th Floor, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 or bbolden@dcaclu.org --- Telephone (202) 544-1681.

The application deadline for the Summer Internship is March 1, 2008

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.”