About the job

The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU NorCal) is an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all Californians.

ACLU NorCal seeks two Fellows to join our Legal Advocacy department.  The Fellows will serve a two-year term, starting in Fall 2027.  Over the course of those two years, the Fellow will help to develop and carry out litigation and policy work to advance the department’s overarching strategic plans and to protect and defend civil rights and civil liberties for all Californians. The position works under the supervision of the Director of Appellate Advocacy or Senior Supervising Attorney. 

The Fellow can be based in ACLU NorCal’s San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno office. 

This position is eligible for hybrid work, and is represented by IFPTE Local 20.

What You Will Do

• Engage in the investigation, development, initiation, and litigation of high-impact cases, including: conducting legal research and analysis, drafting pleadings, motions, briefs and complaints, evaluating and investigating potential legal claims, managing fact and expert discovery, identifying potential plaintiffs and defendants, and coordinating amicus briefing.
• Engage in the development, initiation, and implementation of policy advocacy, including: evaluating state and local legislation, helping to develop new policy, drafting advocacy letters, researching and developing public education materials, and working in coalition with other organizations, particularly those from impacted communities.
• Engage in other activities to advance the work of the Department and participate in Team meetings, Department Meetings, and Organizational meetings, as required.

What You Will Bring

• J.D., or expected to receive a J.D. by the summer of 2027.
• Admission to California State Bar or willingness to sit for the next available Bar Examination.
• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing public interest law, civil liberties, and civil rights.
• Strong research and writing skills (and strong interest in developing and refining these skills).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, including ability to interact effectively with people from different racial, social and economic backgrounds, and ability to negotiate, compromise, and problem solve in coalition settings.
• Excellent time and project management skills, and experience engaging in creative problem solving and taking initiative.
• Strong commitment to racial justice work and incorporating racial justice principles into legal work.

What We Will Offer You

• The base salary for this position is $113,846 - $124,689 annually with the final amount depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.
• Time away to focus on the things that matter with generous paid time-off policies.
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (Including fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage as well as parental leave and a fertility benefit).
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match.
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds.
• A mission-driven team that values equity, belonging, inclusion, collaboration, and growth.

How to Apply

• Applications must include a (1) a resume, including a list of three references (we will contact you before reaching out to any references), (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample.
• Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled and evaluated on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 15, 2026.
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• The ACLU NorCal is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
• If your application is a good match, our team will reach out to schedule an interview. If you're no longer under consideration, you'll receive an email update. We truly appreciate your interest, and due to the high application volume, we may not be able to personally communicate with everyone who applies.

A Note to Potential Candidates: We recognize that potential candidates with identities that have been historically excluded from the legal field may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. Lived experience, volunteer work, and transferable work skills will be considered toward experience requirements. We value diverse experiences and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve. ACLU NorCal will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).