Position Overview
The ACLU of Alaska Prison Project invites rising third-year law students and law graduates to apply for an opportunity to seek an externally funded fellowship to work with us as a Legal Fellow for up to two years in Anchorage, Alaska. We will support the selected candidate in applying for sponsored fellowships including school-specific fellowships or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2025.
Since its founding in 1961, the ACLU of Alaska has been the premier civil rights organization in the 49th state. Through our litigation, legislative expertise, grassroots advocacy, and public education efforts, we work to protect the civil rights and individual liberties enshrined in the United States and Alaska Constitutions. We strive to ensure that those who have historically been denied their rights are afforded equal protection, dignity, and respect, including people of color, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, incarcerated individuals, and Alaska Native peoples.
The ACLU-AK Prison Project is specifically seeking applicants interested in advocating for constitutionally adequate conditions of confinement in Alaska state prisons and other issues related to criminal legal reform, including access to counsel and religious freedom. More information about the priority areas of the Prison Project can be found here: https://www.acluak.org/en/our-work/aclu-alaska-prison-project.
Qualifications
Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to advocating for the incarcerated population, exceptional research and writing skills, and a J.D. degree (or expect one within the next year).
Salary and Benefits
The Legal Fellow’s salary will be $70,000, but is dependent upon securing external funding. The Legal Fellow will receive a full benefits package including health insurance; paid holidays; paid personal and sick leave; and access to the ACLU's Employee Assistance Program.
Commitment To Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion
The ACLU of Alaska is an equitable opportunity employer. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission by creating an environment where all community members can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified persons, including people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented groups.
The ACLU of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment that practices equitable and inclusive treatment. We work diligently to prevent and address harassment or discrimination of any kind.
Applications
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will be accepted until September 27, 2024. Please email PDFs of your letter of interest, resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information of three references to [email protected] with the subject “2025 Prison Project Legal Fellow.”