Fall 2026 Fellowship Sponsorship, Criminal Law Reform Project

Job Description

The ACLU is seeking applicants for a sponsored Legal Fellowship with the Criminal Law Reform Project (CLRP) in New York, NY. This is for rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to begin in the fall of 2026. The fellowship is a hybrid role, requiring in-office presence two days a week or eight days a month.

The Fellow will report to the Deputy Director for Policing and will advance the ACLU's campaign to address abusive and discriminatory policing practices. The fellow will assist in investigating current practices in police departments found to have engaged in excessive force and racial profiling; working with local stakeholders to implement systems to ensure accountability; and developing litigation where necessary.

What this role involves:

• Conduct legal research and analysis.
• 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.

Requirements:

• 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 CLRP 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.

What ACLU offers:

• Time away with a generous paid time-off policy.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• 401k plan and employer match.
• Annual professional development funds.