Legal Fellowship

 LEGAL FELLOWSHIP

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Temporary Full-time

Location: Houston, Austin, Dallas

Union Position: Eligible

The ACLU of Texas is accepting applications from recent law graduates and graduating third-year law students to be sponsored for a Samuels Family Foundation Fellowship, an internally funded two-year fellowship. The fellow will be an integral part of our team, working closely with attorneys in the Legal Department.  The position will provide recent graduates with a unique opportunity to participate in our cutting-edge legal work and gain practical hands-on experience. 

Overview

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is a leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State. The ACLU of Texas, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Houston, is the seventh-largest ACLU affiliate in the nation.  The ACLU of Texas has regional offices in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, and El Paso. 

From Amarillo to Brownsville and Beaumont to El Paso, we believe in a Texas that works for all of us — a Texas where each person has an equal say in the decisions that shape our future and everyone can build a good life. The ACLU of Texas works with communities, at the State Capitol, and in the courts to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for every Texan, no exceptions.

Fellows at the ACLU of Texas play a critical role in advancing the ACLU’s mission to uphold constitutional rights.  Fellows provide critical assistance on impact litigation and integrated advocacy. Fellows also work collaboratively with National ACLU legal projects and ACLU of Texas communication, and political and policy departments. Fellows are also responsible for engaging in public speaking and community outreach and education.

• J.D. with up to three years of experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of constitutional law and a strong and demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights.
• Experience in LGBT, voting, immigration, criminal justice, policing, and/or reproductive rights issues strongly preferred. 
• Exceptional analytic, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in fast-paced environment with keen ability to work on multiple projects at the same time, set priorities, manage work, and meet deadlines, including working nights and weekends as needed to meet those deadlines.
• Enthusiasm, patience, and cultural competence to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with cooperating attorneys, ACLU and other public interest attorneys; communications, development, outreach and policy/political strategies staff members; and with diverse community organizations and coalitions.
• Experience working with marginalized or vulnerable communities.
• Ability to effectively communicate legal concepts to a variety of audiences, including judges, community residents, and policymakers.
• Personal enthusiasm, optimism, and a sense of humor.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
• Willingness to travel and work outside normal hours, including nights and weekends as needed for litigation, legislative and policy advocacy, conferences, and public speaking.
• Spanish fluency (written and spoken) is preferred.
• Licensed to practice law and a member of the State Bar of Texas (or willingness to secure admission at the next available opportunity).

Compensation

Salary range is comparable to other public interest law firms in the area, with excellent benefits.