National Security Fellowship

ABOUT THE JOB 

The ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time two-year fellowship position in the National Security Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has an in-office requirement of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

OVERVIEW 

The National Security Project fights for people and communities harmed by the government in the name of national security, particularly people of color and other marginalized communities who are disproportionately targeted. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, the Project strives to ensure that people are able to participate fully in civic life and are free from discrimination, unwarranted suspicion and surveillance, unlawful force and detention, and the injustices and stigma that result from these abuses of national security policy. Recognizing the danger of expansive claims of state power, the Project advocates for a robust system of checks and balances, and policies that comply with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights. 

This is a two-year fellowship position that 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.  

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).   

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Project Director and Deputy Project Director, the National Security Fellow will conduct impact litigation and advocacy to advance civil rights and liberties, and challenge harms in the national security context. The ACLU encourages individuals with limited post-law school experience to apply.

YOUR DAY TO DAY 

• Conduct legal research and analysis, fact development, and develop theories to support new litigation projects 
• Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, declarations, motions, and briefs 
• Interview and work with potential witnesses and clients 
• Participate in discovery and trial practice as opportunities arise 
• Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials 
• Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates 
• Help oversee and coordinate the summer internship program and student interns 
• Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed 
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned 

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. degree from a U.S. law school (by Spring 2027) 
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills 

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Skilled at performing complex legal analytical work 
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team 
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil rights and liberties 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding 
• Experience, through personal connection or employment experience, working with marginalized communities whose civil rights and liberties are harmed by discriminatory or abusive national security policies
• Knowledge of and interest in civil liberties issues related to national security 

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: $96,069 - $120,009 
• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $134,414 - $158,579 
• 6-10 years since law school graduation: $165,839 - $187,087 
• 11-15 years since law school graduation: $190,585 - $201,403 
• 16-20 years since law school graduation: $203,304 - $208,540 
• 21-25 years since law school graduation: $209,595 - $213,890 
• 26-30+ years since law school graduation: $214,920 - $219,104

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 benefits.hrdept@aclu.org_. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process._