2009 SUMMER INTERNSHIP
NOTICE TO FIRST AND SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM PROJECT

The Reproductive Freedom Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks legal interns to work full-time in New York City for the Summer of 2009.

Since its founding in the 1920s, the ACLU has fought to ensure that the decision whether or not to have a child be informed, meaningful and protected from unwarranted 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 one way or another, with virtually every reproductive rights case to reach the Supreme Court, including Ayotte vs. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, in which the Project was lead counsel. Through litigation and advocacy, Project lawyers work to challenge bans on safe abortion procedures; to strike prison policies that restrict reproductive rights, by permitting shackling during labor or denying transportation for abortions; to restore Medicaid coverage for abortions to ensure real choice for low-income women; to defend women who are prosecuted for their conduct during pregnancy; to promote teens’ access to confidential reproductive health care; and to ensure that young people receive comprehensive sex education. The Project is also the nation’s leading expert on the intersection between reproductive rights and the religion and free speech clauses of the First Amendment.

The Project is unique among reproductive rights organizations in that we work with the ACLU’s nationwide network of affiliates and other attorneys in the organization who specialize in other civil liberties areas, including free speech, race and poverty issues, and lesbian and gay rights.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:
The Project seeks current 1L and 2L students to assist with the Project’s litigation, legislation and policy work. Working closely with Project staff, interns assist in all aspects of litigation including legal research, factual investigation, drafting of memoranda, affidavits and briefs.

Knowledge of reproductive rights law is not required, but an interest in reproductive rights, civil liberties, racial and social justice, and issues affecting low-income women is essential.

Students are highly encouraged to seek Public Interest Fellowship funds for the internship. Arrangements can also be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends. However, summer interns who do not secure funding may be eligible for a stipend provided by the Project.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a letter of interest, a resume, the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of two references, and a legal writing sample of five to ten pages to tlippman@aclu.org Reference: RFP S09 Application in the subject line OR:

Trevor Lippman, State Strategies Attorney Fellow
ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
Reference: RFP S09 Application
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400.

We strongly encourage candidates to apply by January 1, 2009, but applications will be accepted until the internships are filled.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbians and gay men to apply.