Fall 2025 Public Interest Fellowships
Notice to Third-Year Law Students & Recent Law Graduates
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (ACLUM) is accepting applications for legal fellowships to begin in fall 2025. Applicants may apply to the externally-funded public interest fellowships, including but not limited to those funded by Equal Justice Works, the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Justice Catalyst, and individual law schools.
ACLUM works on cutting-edge civil rights and civil liberties issues. We have undertaken groundbreaking litigation and advocacy on incarceration during COVID-19, free speech, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice, reproductive rights, transgender rights, open government, police accountability, government surveillance, racial justice, and other issues. For more, please visit www.aclum.org.
Job Summary
Fellows will work with ACLUM’s legal director, managing attorneys and staff attorneys on trial-level and appellate work. Successful fellowship candidates may be asked to focus on a particular issue or work on a range of issues. Fellows may also work with staff members on non-litigation advocacy, such as public education, legislative work, public speaking, community organizing, and investigation.
With regard to the external funding for these fellowships, ACLUM staff work with fellowship candidates to develop their proposals for submission, helping tailor the proposals to address an important civil rights or civil liberties issue. The length of the fellowship will be governed by the funding organization’s policy.
Subject Areas of the Fellowships
ACLUM welcomes applications from prospective fellows who are interested in any significant issue involving civil rights or liberties. Recent ACLUM fellows have litigated key cases on access to medication for addiction treatment, police accountability, free expression, open government, immigrants’ rights, and the rights of incarcerated individuals to access adequate medical treatment, both in the midst of the pandemic and more generally. Priority issue areas for ACLUM in 2025 might include free speech, religion, police accountability, immigrants’ rights, reproductive rights, criminal law, racial justice, and government surveillance.
Qualifications
Excellent research, writing and analytical skills are required for this position. Applicants should be self-motivated and able to work well with a wide range of stakeholders, and have a commitment to civil rights and liberties. Current or recent judicial law clerks are encouraged to apply, but judicial clerkship experience is not required.
TO APPLY: Email a cover letter, resume, list of three references, and a writing sample to legalfellowship@aclum.org using the subject line “2025 Fellowship – [your name].”
Please choose a writing sample that amply demonstrates your thinking and writing skills. You may choose a sample that has been edited or influenced by others, but please note that fact in your application. Applications will be processed as received, and should be submitted no later than July 19, 2024 for fellowships that have fall deadlines.
ACLUM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and formerly incarcerated people to apply.
This position is based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation.