Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project Position Available In New York, New York

Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Capital Punishment Project ACLU

• 4.3 New York, NY Job Details $183,255
• $210,677 a year 22 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance 401(k) matching Professional development assistance Qualifications Law Doctoral degree Writing skills Public speaking Research Doctor of Law Analysis skills Communication skills Entry level Full Job Description

ABOUT THE JOB

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 National office in Durham, NC , seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellow ship such as Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2026. This is a hybrid role that has 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.

OVERVIEW

The Capital Punishment Project, part of the ACLU’s Center for Justice, challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation, including direct representation of capital defendants. The Project’s litigation is conducted throughout the country, with a particular focus on the South. The Capital Punishment Project is interested in sponsoring a candidate to work on litigation challenging race discrimination in the application of the death penalty. The Project welcomes additional suggestions from prospective fellow applicants. Please tailor your cover letters to explain why you’re interested in working with CPP on the project described below. We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 13, 2025 . This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Reporting to the Director , the Fellow will advance the Project’s systemic challenges to race discrimination in the application of the death penalty under state constitution and state racial justice statutes. This may include litigation to secure public records, working with social science experts, and drafting pleadings. Our staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals for submission, helping tailor the proposal to address an important civil liberties issue. Proposed projects often combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects 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 and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys Help manage summer legal internship program and supervise student interns Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed

FUTURE ACLU’ERS WILL

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 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 a proven 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 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: $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 The ACLU is committed to equity, transparency, and clarity in pay.

These salaries are reflective of positions based in New York, NY where are National Offices are headquartered. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. For details on our pay structure, please visit: https://www.aclu.org/careers/ACLU_Geographic_Pay_Structure-July_2024.pdf

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people. We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include: Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment) Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization

• one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible.

We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. With this commitment in mind, we strongly 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 and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.