Fall 2009 FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
American Civil Liberties Union
Reproductive Freedom Project, NY

Since its founding in the 1920s, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has fought to ensure that the decision whether or not to have a child, be informed, meaningful, and protected from government interference. The ACLU is particularly committed to ensuring that individuals’ reproductive rights are not compromised because of their race, youth or economic status, and believes that reproductive rights work must be informed by broader racial and social justice considerations.

Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project works to protect access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care, from sexuality education and family planning services to prenatal care and childbearing assistance to abortion counseling and services. For more than thirty years, the ACLU has been involved, in some capacity,with virtually every reproductive rights case to reach the Supreme Court, including Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, in which the Project was lead counsel.

The ACLU has an affiliate in almost every state across the country. Each affiliate works in its state legislature to further the protection and advancement of civil liberties, including reproductive freedom. The Project provides legislative advice to ACLU affiliates when they address bills that impact access to reproductive health care, including restrictions on access to abortion; bills punishing women for their conduct during pregnancy; measures to expand access to contraception; and sexuality education mandates. The Project also provides grants to affiliates to support and guide state advocacy efforts that advance reproductive rights.

The Fellow will work on reproductive rights issues in the national office of the American Civil Liberties Union in New York City. Responsibilities will include:

• Assisting the Project’s State Strategies Attorney in monitoring the hundreds of state bills proposed each year that impact access to reproductive health care.
• Providing legal analyses and strategic advice to the ACLU’s nationwide network of state affiliates and other state advocates to assist them in opposing measures that restrict or supporting measures that expand access to reproductive health services.
• Drafting model legislation, legislative testimony, public education materials, and communications for affiliates
• Assisting the development of legislative campaigns and issue priorities.
• Functioning as part of the Project’s litigation team, including providing legal research and analysis; drafting pleadings, affidavits, and briefs; interviewing clients and experts; and participating in discovery
• Representing the Project at strategy meetings with other national reproductive rights advocates, and occasionally attend conferences, and speak with the media.
• Assisting the Project’s State Strategies Attorney with the administration of the Project’s grant and training programs as needed.

Experience & Qualifications:

• J.D. required. Candidates with a minimum of two years legal experience are preferred, but recent law school graduates will be considered.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytic, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work well with a wide range of people.
• Ability to multi-task, work efficiently and quickly meet deadlines under pressure.
• Knowledge of legal issues involving reproductive rights and familiarity with legislative processes are preferred but not required; however, a strong interest in reproductive rights, civil liberties, racial and social justice, and issues affecting low-income women is essential.

This position is available for the Fall of 2009 for a one-year term, with a possible extension for a second year.

COMPENSATION:
The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send a resume, letter of interest, the names and phone numbers of three references, and a legal writing sample (preferably either a legal research memo or a section of a brief) by email to hrjobs@aclu.org or by mail to the address below. Reference [RFP-Fellow/WACLU] in subject line or mail to:

American Civil Liberties Union
Human Resources
RE: [RFP-Fellow/WACLU]
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004

We encourage applicants to send materials by November 1, 2008, however, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job posting.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.