2009 Summer Legal Internship Opportunity
NOTICE TO FIRST AND SECOND YEAR LAW STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT
Washington, DC

The National Prison Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) invites applications for Legal Internship positions for the Summer of 2009.

Founded in 1972 by the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Prison Project (NPP) seeks to create constitutional conditions of confinement and strengthen prisoners’ rights through class action litigation and public education. Our policy priorities include reducing prison overcrowding, improving prisoner medical care, eliminating violence and maltreatment in prisons and jails, and minimizing the reliance on incarceration as a criminal justice sanction. The Project also publishes a quarterly Journal, coordinates a nationwide network of litigators, conducts training and public education conferences, and provides expert advice and technical assistance to local community groups and lawyers throughout the country.

The population in American prisons and jails has tripled in the past 15 years with the predictable consequence that facilities are overcrowded; medical systems are overwhelmed; work, education, and treatment programs are inadequate; and idleness and stress lead to greater levels of violence. As our national prison and jail population has climbed over two million persons, it has grown increasingly racially skewed. On any given day, one-third of all African-American males are under some form of criminal justice supervision. The Project, with a staff of seven attorneys, has fought and continues to fight these conditions through successful litigation on behalf of prisoners in more than 25 states. In the past decade, the Project has represented prisoners in five cases before the United States Supreme Court. This Project is the only organization litigating prison conditions of confinement nationwide on behalf of men, women, and juveniles.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal Interns will

• Work closely with staff lawyers on major class actions and damages cases in federal court.
• Draft pleadings and briefs, discovery and motion practices, and assist with trials and appeals.
• Provide technical assistance to ACLU local affiliates, cooperating lawyers, and other lawyers who seek assistance from the Project.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• First and second year law students may apply.
• Applicants must have strong analytical skills, an ability to write clearly, and a commitment to civil liberties and public interest law.
• A familiarity with criminal justice issues is highly desirable.

Students are highly encouraged to seek public interest fellowships or other funding for the internship. Arrangements also can be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends. In the event a student is unable to secure alternative funding, a stipend may be provided by the Project.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications consist of a cover letter, current resume, the names and phone numbers of three references, and at least one legal writing sample. Applications should be sent via e-mail to gbigelow@npp-aclu.rg. Reference [NPP Legal Intern] in the subject of your e-mail or submit your materials by mail to:

E.M. Bigelow
Reference [NPP Legal Intern]
American Civil Liberties Union
915 15^th Street, NW - 6^th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

The deadline is February 1, 2009, but the office expects to complete its hiring by the end of 2008. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible.

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.