September 27, 2012
SPRING 2013 LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE TO FIRST AND SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project, NY
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920 is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and AIDS Project of the ACLU’s National Office in New York City seeks legal interns for the Spring of 2013.
OVERVIEW
Founded in 1986, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) & AIDS Project is a division of the national office of the ACLU. It is part of the ACLU’s Center for Liberty, which encompasses the ACLU’s work on women’s rights, reproductive freedom, LGBT rights and the rights of people living with HIV, and freedom of religion and belief. The Center for Liberty is dedicated to the principle that we are all entitled to determine the course of our lives based on who we are and what we believe, free from unreasonable government constraint and baseless stereotypes.
The goal of the Project is the creation of a society in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and people with HIV enjoy the basic rights of equality, privacy and personal autonomy, and freedom of belief, expression and association. This means an America where there is the ability to live open and honest lives without fear of discrimination or abuse, respect for our identities, relationships and families, and fair treatment in employment, schools, health care, housing and public places and programs.
The Project brings “impact” lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country – cases designed to have a significant effect on the lives of LGBT people and those with HIV/AIDS. The Project’s legal strategies are built on the idea that fighting for civil rights means not only persuading judges but also ultimately changing the way people think. As the Project litigates for change, it implements targeted media, online and outreach campaigns to change public attitudes through education and to give people on the frontlines the tools they need to act.
As a part of the ACLU, the Project is in a unique position to work for equality. The ACLU’s national network of affiliates broadens the Project’s reach into every locality and into the federal government. Today, the ACLU brings more LGBT cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national civil rights organization. The Project strives to ensure that the racial and economic diversity of the LGBT community is reflected in its work and continues to explore ways to make its efforts more sensitive to the needs of people of color and people who are economically disadvantaged. The Project’s work as part of the broad civil liberties agenda of the ACLU exemplifies the notion that the LGBT community and the community of those living with HIV/AIDS must work in concert with other social change movements in order to achieve a just society for all.
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
The Spring Legal Internship offers Legal Interns the opportunity to work on all aspects of litigation. The Internship requires a minimum commitment of 12 to 16 hours per week and is part-time. Because this is an unpaid internship, students are highly encouraged to seek support for Public Interest Fellowship stipends. Arrangements can also be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends or course credit.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working alongside the LGBT and AIDS Project team. Interns will gain experience by:
- Conducting factual and legal research.
- Assisting in the drafting of pleadings, briefs and other litigation documents.
- Researching and drafting materials for public education.
- Researching prospects for new litigation, including both factual and legal claims.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
This Legal Internship is open to first and second year law students who possess the following:
- Excellent research, writing, analytical and communication skills.
- The initiative to see projects through to completion.
- The ability to work with a wide range of people.
- Familiarity with civil rights and civil liberties issues affecting LGBT people and those living with HIV/AIDS is desirable; commitment to these issues is essential
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should send a cover letter, a resume, the names and telephone numbers of three references, and a legal writing sample to hrjobsLGBTintern@aclu.org - reference [LGBT Spring 2013 Legal Internship] in subject line. Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to LGBT & AIDS Project postings.In order to ensure your application is received please make certain it is sent to the correct e-mail address. You can expect to receive an automatic response that acknowledges the submission of application materials.
Alternatively, applications can be mailed to:
Law Student Intern Program
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
RE: LGBT Spring 2013 Legal Internship
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this internship opportunity.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Hiring for Spring 2013 Legal Interns is expected to be completed by December 1, 2012. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: hrjobsinclreq@aclu.org. Correspondence sent to this email address that is not related to requests for accommodations will not be reviewed. Applicants should follow the instructions above regarding how to apply.
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.”
