The ACLU of Vermont seeks current law students to apply for a Summer 2025 Legal Internship to work on the ACLU of Vermont’s priority issues, including protecting reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy, advancing racial and economic justice, reimagining public safety, spurring criminal law reform, and strengthening our democracy.
The ACLU of Vermont is committed to developing the next generation of civil rights leaders; recognizing that talent comes from a variety of backgrounds, we have created this position to develop the talent of that next generation.
Interns would be expected to work from our Montpelier office several days a week, following the office’s hybrid model.
About ACLU of Vermont
We are the Vermont affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. We fight for equality, justice, and freedom for all Vermonters – in the statehouse, in the courthouse, and through public education and engagement. We are also committed to co-creating and fostering a strong internal culture of belonging, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable policies and practices. We are a passionate, highly motivated group of lawyers, public policy experts, lobbyists, communications and administrative professionals, community organizers, and fundraisers, and we are looking for exceptional talent to join our team. To learn more about the ACLU of Vermont, visit our website.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the ACLU-VT’s attorneys, legal interns work on a variety of legal and advocacy projects commensurate with their experience and education. Interns with the ACLU-VT are given the opportunity to work on important civil liberties and civil rights issues addressing a broad range of constitutional protections. Legal work may include researching and drafting memoranda, meeting with and interviewing potential clients and community partners, responding to requests for assistance, and drafting complaints and briefs. Interns may also work in an advocacy capacity, assessing the constitutionality and desirability of pending legislation or preparing testimony for congressional committees. The work is wide-ranging and substantive; we are a small team and rely on our summer interns as full members of our legal program—including by helping us develop groundbreaking opportunities for systemic litigation and exploring novel constitutional theories.
Qualifications
- Current law student.
- Demonstrated interest and/or background in constitutional and civil rights law.
- Demonstrated commitment to the cause of social justice, civil liberties, and civil rights; committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs.
- Excellent writing, legal and policy research, and analytical skills.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, both in the workplace and in collaboration with community partners and constituents. Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.
- Demonstrated knowledge of – or commitment to building or deepening understanding of – racial equity.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The ACLU of Vermont is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive office culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive.
The ACLU of Vermont strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or prior involvement in the criminal legal system. The ACLU of Vermont undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.
Application Procedure
To apply, email a letter of interest, resume, and short writing sample to our hiring team at [email protected]. Include in the subject line of the email: your last name and “Legal Intern, Summer 2025.”
The letter of interest should describe your qualifications and interest in the work of the organization, including your cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities.
We will begin reviewing applications on November 1, 2024, and will continue to consider them on a rolling basis until the positions are filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website at www.acluvt.org.
Stipend
We encourage all applicants to seek public interest fellowship funds through their law school. If a student is not able to secure such funding, the ACLU of Vermont is able to provide funding to make this opportunity more feasible for law students who would otherwise be required to seek paid employment over the summer. Students who do receive outside funds are eligible for partial funding to bring their total amount up to the level of the ACLU’s funding amount for that term. Internship selection is independent of and not contingent on access to external funds. To receive ACLU funding, students must be physically present in Vermont and work 40 hours a week for 10 or more weeks during the summer.
