2009 Summer Legal Internship-ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project, NY (9/15/2008)
2009 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project, NY
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project of the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks law clerks to work full-time in
New York City for Summer 2009.
America’s foremost advocate of individual rights, the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan organization founded
in 1920. With national headquarters in New York and Washington and 53 affiliates
throughout the country, it is widely regarded as the nation’s premier
public interest law firm.
Founded in 1986, the Project is a special division of the National office of
the ACLU. The goal of the LGBT and AIDS Project is the creation of a society
in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and people with HIV
enjoy the basic rights of equality, privacy and personal autonomy, and freedom
of belief, expression and association. This means an America where there is
the ability to live open and honest lives without fear of discrimination or
abuse, where there is respect for our identities, relationships and families,
and where there is fair treatment in employment, schools, health care, housing
and public places and programs.
The Project brings “impact” lawsuits in state and federal courts
throughout the country – cases designed to have a significant effect on
the lives of LGBT people and those with HIV/AIDS. The Project’s legal
strategies are built on the idea that fighting for civil rights means not only
persuading judges but also ultimately changing the way people think. As we litigate
for change, we implement targeted media, online and outreach campaigns to change
public attitudes through education and to give people on the frontlines the
tools they need to act.
As a part of the ACLU, the Project is in a unique position to work for equality.
The ACLU’s national network of affiliates broadens the Project’s
reach into every locality and into the federal government. Today, the ACLU brings
more LGBT cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national civil rights
organization. The Project strives to ensure that the racial and economic diversity
of the LGBT community is reflected in its work and continues to explore ways
to make its efforts more sensitive to the needs of people of color and people
who are economically disadvantaged. The Project’s work as part of the
broad civil liberties agenda of the ACLU exemplifies the notion that the LGBT
community and the community of those living with HIV/AIDS must work in concert
with other social change movements in order to achieve a just society for all.
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:
Interns will assist with the litigation and legislative/policy work of the Project.
They will do legal and other kinds of research, work with clients, draft policy
and legal memos, and help write pleadings, briefs and other litigation documents.
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. Summer interns who do not secure funding may be eligible
for a stipend provided by the Project.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Current 1L and 2L students are encouraged to apply. Familiarity with lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights and liberties, the civil rights
and liberties of those living with HIV/AIDS, and other civil liberties issues
is desirable; commitment to those issues is essential. Excellent research and
writing skills and superior analytical ability are required. Applicants should
be self-motivated, hard working, and have the proven ability to work with a
wide range of people.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcript, and list of references
by fax to (212) 549-2650 OR by mail to:
ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project
Summer Law Internship Coordinator
Summer 2009 Internship
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2400
The deadline is February 1, 2009, but applications will be accepted
until the position is filled. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis,
and therefore candidates are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline.
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.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties
Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the
ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and
share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities
in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting
refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”
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