Externally-Funded Legal Fellowship

Description

Externally Funded Legal Department Fellowship (Starting Fall 2027) 

The Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU Inc. (the ACLU of Illinois)’s Legal Department is accepting applications from rising third-year law students and recent law graduates, who seek a host organization for a one- to two-year law school-funded or otherwise externally funded fellowship. 

About the Job

The ACLU of Illinois works to advance civil liberties throughout Illinois. Our work includes protecting democracy by advancing First Amendment rights, government transparency, and voting rights; protecting the rights of immigrants; fighting institutional and structural racism that undermines civil rights and civil liberties, including in the criminal and civil legal systems and immigration; protecting the rights of women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, including the right to reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy and gender-affirming care; and fighting to enforce the rights of people in government care, including children in foster care and people in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities.

The fellow would assist in the following: (1) develop and support affirmative litigation to advance civil rights and liberties; (2) write amicus briefs; (3) analyze legislation to enhance civil rights and liberties; and (4) conduct outreach for clients and meet and collaborate with community members and partner organizations. 

The Legal Department’s managers will supervise the fellow to support new and ongoing impact litigation and non-litigation advocacy done in collaboration with other Departments. Previous fellows have had the opportunity to develop facts and research for new litigation; work with current and potential clients; participate in discovery and hearings in pending litigation; conduct legal and policy research on a variety of issues; participate in settlement negotiations; draft sections of legal briefs and complaints; and collaborate with grassroots and community-based organizations. The Legal Department is open to targeted project proposals for potential fellowships at whatever level of specificity the relevant external funding source requires and will work with the potential fellow as necessary to develop their project proposal and secure funding. 

ACLU of Illinois staff are based in Chicago, IL. Currently, we are working on a hybrid basis with a minimum of three days per week in the office. The fellow will be expected to work in our Chicago office, on a hybrid schedule, beginning on a date to be determined in September 2027.

Requirements

All applicants must have:

•  A juris doctorate (J.D.) by Spring 2027
•  Be admitted to practice in Illinois, be willing to waive into the Illinois Bar or plan to take the Illinois Bar exam in July 2027

How to Apply:

Apply by December 18, 2026, and provide:

• A current resume.
• A legal writing sample of not more than ten pages that has been substantially drafted by the applicant without the assistance of AI, with a cover note explaining the context and any editing done by others.
• A law school transcript.
• A list of three references.
• A cover letter specifying the name and deadline of the law school funded or other externally funded fellowship for which you are applying, describing your commitment to civil rights and liberties generally, and what your areas of interest are for your fellowship.

We review submissions on a rolling basis. Any decision to support a candidate will be made considering the Legal Department’s programmatic needs and supervision resources, and the applicant’s skills and qualifications. 

ACLU Employment Statement

The ACLU of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. 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, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU of Illinois is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance with the online application process, please email our Human Resources Manager at [email protected], including the position you are applying for in the subject line. You will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.