ABOUT THE JOBThe ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time
two-year fellowship position in the
Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the ACLU's National office in
New York, NY.The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists' rights, scientific and academic freedom, the free speech rights of noncitizens, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.
The Brennan Fellowship, established by a special gift from author Tom Peters and poet Catherine Abbe and named after retired Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, was created to give people just starting their careers an opportunity to receive training and experience in First Amendment advocacy, and to help the ACLU advance its First Amendment goals. The Brennan Fellow will function as an integral part of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, and will work on our extensive docket of First and Fourth Amendment cases. This is a two-year fellowship position, and starts in Fall 2027.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by
October 1, 2026. RESPONSIBILITIESThe Brennan Fellow's responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:
- Participating in litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including conducting legal and factual research, interviewing clients, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assisting in discovery and motion practice
- Assisting in drafting amicus curiae briefs
- Providing support for ACLU affiliate litigation
- Serving as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work
- Advancing ACLU policy goals through public education and through organizing and participating in coalitions
- Helping manage summer legal internship program and supervising student interns
- Engaging in special projects and other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- J.D. (or an expectation of receiving one by the Spring of 2027)
- Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
- Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
- Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Skill at performing complex legal analytical work
- Demonstrated commitment to public-interest law
- Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Ability to self-start and excellent interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of First and/or Fourth Amendment issues is preferred, but not required
COMPENSATIONThe ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following, based on year of law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details, based on individual circumstances):
- 0-2 years since law school graduation: $85,000-$106,182
- 3-5 years since law school graduation: $118,927-$140,309
- 6-10 years since law school graduation: $146,732-$165,531
- 11-15 years since law school graduation: $168,627-$178,198
- 16-20 years since law school graduation: $179,880-$184,512
- 21-25 years since law school graduation: $185,447-$189,246
- 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $190,158-$193,860
These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY. The salary will be subject to a locality adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.
