Legal Fellow Sponsorship

The ACLU of Missouri (ACLU-MO) invites third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for an externally funded sponsorship opportunity, such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, and Justice Catalyst, to work in ACLU-MO’s litigation department as a Legal Fellow for up to two year(s). The fellowship offers recent law school graduates the opportunity to obtain training and experience in all aspects of impact litigation. ACLU-MO has a hybrid work model. The general expectation is employees will work two (2) days per week in the office and three (3) remote days. From time to time specific projects or other duties may require more in-office work.

As most funding opportunities for fellowships require a specific project proposal, ACLU-MO will work with candidates to craft the application and explain the proposed project. To be eligible for this position, the applicant should have already identified the external funding source they will seek and for which they are requesting ACLU-MO to be their sponsor and employer. ACLU-MO is specifically seeking proposals in the following issue areas:

• LGBTQ+ Rights and Transgender Justice
• Reproductive Rights and Access
• Voting Rights
• School to Prison Pipeline

We will review applications on a rolling basis.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Participate in investigating, developing, and litigating impact-oriented civil liberties and civil rights cases in federal and state court.
• Conduct factual and legal research, draft petitions and complaints, draft memoranda and motions, draft open records requests, draft demand letters, draft discovery requests and correspondence, review discovery responses, and help draft appellate and amicus briefs.
• Review, comment, and edit letters and briefs of co-counsel and other ACLU-MO staff.
• Support the legal work of the Legal Director and Staff Attorneys, as needed.
• Advocate for civil liberties and represent ACLU-MO at events and in coalitions, as appropriate.
• Work with ACLU-MO staff to implement integrated advocacy campaigns and high-impact strategies utilizing ACLU-MO’s communication, legislative, field organizing, and legal programs.

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2025.
• Must take the July 2025 Bar exam and seek admission to the Missouri Bar; or for those already admitted to the bar in a different state, must be eligible to seek Missouri admission pursuant to SCR 2.110 or 2.111.
• 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 socioeconomic circumstance. Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in their work.
• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties issues and their implications.
• Be committed to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
• Exceptional research, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently and within a team.
• Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule.
• Willingness to work closely with the ACLU of Missouri through the funding application process.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work outside of regular business hours and to travel within Missouri.

Desired Qualifications:

• Judicial clerkships, law review or journal experience, and/or experience litigating civil rights and civil liberties cases.
• Familiarity with and/or connection(s) to Missouri.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position is not funded by the ACLU of Missouri. Instead, it seeks a candidate interested in pursuing funding from an external source such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Justice Catalyst, or law schools. Employees in this job classification are represented by the United Media Guild-CWA (UMG). The base salary for this position is $53,560 in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits include a 401K; health, dental, and vision insurance; and paid time off in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To Apply:

E-mail a cover letter, project proposal, resume, writing sample, and three professional references to application@aclu-mo.org. Please put “Legal Fellow” in the subject line of your email. Please list all fellowships you are eligible to apply to, including law school-specific fellowships. Please indicate if your Law School guarantees funding. Please state in your cover letter where you saw this job posting.

Deadline:

Application materials will be reviewed as received.

ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages 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, or record of arrest or conviction.

The ACLU undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: application@aclu-mo.org.