FALL 2008 LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
NOTICE TO SECOND AND THIRD YEAR LAW STUDENTS
American Civil Liberties Union
Reproductive Freedom Project, NY

The Reproductive Freedom Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applications for the Fall 2008 Semester Internship. Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union is the foremost advocate of individual rights.

OVERVIEW:
Since its founding, 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’s 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 v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, in which the Project was lead counsel. Current Project cases include constitutional challenges to bans on safe abortion procedures, suits against prisons that deny access to abortion, and cases to restore Medicaid coverage for abortions to ensure real choice for low-income women. In addition, Project lawyers defend women who are incarcerated for using drugs during their pregnancies; promote teens’ access to confidential reproductive health care; and work 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 clauses of the First Amendment.

The Project is unique among reproductive rights organizations in that it works 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.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
Working closely with project staff interns assist in all aspects of litigation including:

Conducting legal research & factual investigation.
Drafting of memoranda, affidavits, and briefs.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

An interest in reproductive rights, racial and social justice, and issues affecting low-income women is essential.
Knowledge of reproductive rights law helpful.
Strong writing and research skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.

The Fall 2008 Semester internship requires a 10-15 hour work week.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should immediately send a letter of interest, a resume, the names and telephone numbers of two references, and a legal writing sample of five to ten pages to:

Trevor Llippman
ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400
or
tlippman@aclu.og

Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

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.