The LGBT & HIV Project of the National office in New York, NY seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2021.
Through the LGBT & HIV Project, founded in 1986, the ACLU seeks to create a just society for all LGBTQ people and people living with HIV regardless of race or income. Through litigation, lobbying, public education, and organizing, we work to build a country where our communities can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. The ACLU has been a leading advocate for LGBTQ rights for decades, having brought its first gay rights case in 1936, its first transgender rights case in 1967, and having served as counsel in six of the past seven United States Supreme Court cases involving LGBTQ-related issues. Our advocacy strategies are built around the idea that fighting for civil rights means not just persuading judges but ultimately changing the way people think about our issues.
Today, the ACLU and its 50+ state affiliate offices do more litigation, policy advocacy, legislative lobbying, ballot campaigns, and public education work on LGBTQ issues than any other national civil rights organization. The ACLU strives to ensure that racial and economic justice are centered in our work on behalf of LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- 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
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- J.D. or expected to receive a J.D by the spring of 2021
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil rights and civil liberties
- Willingness to work closely with LGBT & HIV Project 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.
- 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 class background.
- Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with trans communities
- Demonstrated commitment to LGBT & HIV related work