ACLU - National Office
Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project
ACLU - National Office, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Overview
All potential applicants are encouraged to scroll through and read the complete job description before applying. Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project. The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for one or two year(s). The Capital Punishment Project of the ACLU’s Center for Justice seeks applicants for a sponsored fellowship (e.g., Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst or other public interest fellowships) to begin in the fall of 2026. This is a hybrid role with in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month in our Durham, NC, Washington, DC, or New York City office.
Responsibilities
Advance the Project's systemic challenges to race discrimination in the application of the death penalty under state constitutions and state racial justice statutes. This may include litigation to secure public records, working with social science experts, and drafting pleadings.
Collaborate with CPP staff to develop proposals that address an important civil liberties issue; proposed projects often combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education.
Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs; interview witnesses and potential clients; participate in discovery and trial practice.
Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials; provide support to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys; help manage summer legal internship programs and supervise student interns; engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed.
Qualifications
J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by spring 2026.
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice.
Willingness to work closely with CPP through the funding application process.
Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion.
Compensation
The ACLU uses a litigator scale to determine pay for attorneys in our Legal Department.
Salary ranges by years since law school graduation (illustrative ranges):
0-2 years since law school graduation: $92,374-$115,393
3-5 years since law school graduation: $129,244-$152,480
6-10 years since law school graduation: $159,461-$179,891
11-15 years since law school graduation: $183,255-$193,657
16-20 years since law school graduation: $195,485-$200,519
21-25 years since law school graduation: $201,534-$205,663
26-30+ years since law school graduation: $206,654-$210,677
Salaries reflect positions based in New York, NY where the ACLU’s national offices are headquartered and may be adjusted regionally if authorization is granted to work outside of the listed locations.
Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application process, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org.
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All potential applicants are encouraged to scroll through and read the complete job description before applying. Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project. The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for one or two year(s). The Capital Punishment Project of the ACLU’s Center for Justice seeks applicants for a sponsored fellowship (e.g., Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst or other public interest fellowships) to begin in the fall of 2026. This is a hybrid role with in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month in our Durham, NC, Washington, DC, or New York City office.
Responsibilities
Advance the Project's systemic challenges to race discrimination in the application of the death penalty under state constitutions and state racial justice statutes. This may include litigation to secure public records, working with social science experts, and drafting pleadings.
Collaborate with CPP staff to develop proposals that address an important civil liberties issue; proposed projects often combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education.
Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs; interview witnesses and potential clients; participate in discovery and trial practice.
Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials; provide support to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys; help manage summer legal internship programs and supervise student interns; engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed.
Qualifications
J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by spring 2026.
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice.
Willingness to work closely with CPP through the funding application process.
Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion.
Compensation
The ACLU uses a litigator scale to determine pay for attorneys in our Legal Department.
Salary ranges by years since law school graduation (illustrative ranges):
0-2 years since law school graduation: $92,374-$115,393
3-5 years since law school graduation: $129,244-$152,480
6-10 years since law school graduation: $159,461-$179,891
11-15 years since law school graduation: $183,255-$193,657
16-20 years since law school graduation: $195,485-$200,519
21-25 years since law school graduation: $201,534-$205,663
26-30+ years since law school graduation: $206,654-$210,677
Salaries reflect positions based in New York, NY where the ACLU’s national offices are headquartered and may be adjusted regionally if authorization is granted to work outside of the listed locations.
Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application process, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr