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| Job Title: | William J. Brennan First Amendment Fellowship-Speech, Privacy and Technology Project |
| Organization: | American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) |
| Region: | East Coast |
| Description: | FALL 2013 FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY William J. Brennan First Amendment Fellowship NOTICE TO THIRD-YEAR LAW STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, NY The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with more than 500,000 members and is dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the Constitution. The Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the National office in New York City invites applications for the William J. Brennan First Amendment Fellowship, which will last for a one-year period beginning in September 2013. OVERVIEW The Project on Speech, Privacy, and Technology is part of the ACLU's Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values and advocates for government transparency and accountability. In addition to the Project on Speech, Privacy, and Technology, the Center for Democracy includes the Human Rights Project and National Security Project. The Brennan Fellowship, established by a special gift from author Tom Peters and poet Catherine Abbe and named after retired Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, was created to give people just starting their careers an opportunity to receive training and experience in First Amendment advocacy, and to help the ACLU advance its First Amendment goals. Freedom of expression as guaranteed by the First Amendment is an area of concern to the ACLU, and the ACLU has litigated numerous free speech cases before the United States Supreme Court. Historically, the ACLU has been vigilant in fighting government censorship that disproportionately impacts marginalized speakers and communities, including immigrants, people of color, lesbians and gay men. Currently, the ACLU is at the forefront of groundbreaking cases to protect freedom of expression on the Internet. The ACLU is also fighting government efforts to silence protestors and suppress the free speech and privacy rights of other individuals. The Brennan Fellow will function as an integral part of the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, and will focus on our extensive docket of First Amendment cases. The docket currently includes several major cases relating to free speech, privacy, and technology. For example, attorneys in the Project are litigating a novel and landmark First Amendment challenge to the constitutionality of patents granted on the human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer. They have also filed suit on behalf of former chief Guantanamo prosecutor Morris Davis in a lawsuit against the Congressional Research Service, which fired Davis from his government job because of his public writings concerning the military commissions. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES The Brennan Fellow's responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following: Participating in trial litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including conducting legal and factual research, interviewing clients, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assisting in discovery and motion practice; Assisting in drafting amicus curiae briefs; Providing support for ACLU affiliate litigation; Serving as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work; Advancing ACLU policy goals through public education, organizing and participating in coalitions. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS The Fellow is selected from third-year law students or recent graduates who possess the following: JD or expected to receive one by the Fall of 2013; Skilled at performing complex legal analytical work; A demonstrated commitment to public interest law; Excellent legal research, writing and verbal communication skills; Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team; Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills; Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; A knowledge of and interest in First Amendment issues is preferred, but not required; Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU. COMPENSATION The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. HOW TO APPLY Please send application materials, which should include a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation, and at least one legal writing sample to hrjobsSPT@aclu.org - include reference [BRFW-01/FEM] in subject line - or via mail Human Resources RE: [BRFW-01/FEM] American Civil Liberties Union 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, N.Y. 10004 Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this fellowship opportunity. The application deadline is November 1, 2012. This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and or posting at any time without advance notice. The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name "ACLU?. |
| Contact: | Human Resources |
| Phone: | 212-549-2555 |
| E-Mail: | hrjobsSPT@aclu.org |
| Website: | http://www.aclu.org/job/fall-2013-william-j-brennan-first-amendment-fellowship-acluf-speech-privacy-and-technology |
| Closing Date: | November-01-12 |
