Posted on August 24, 2012

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Marvin M. Karpatkin Fellowship

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with more than 500,000 members and is dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The Racial Justice Program (RJP) of the ACLU National office in New York City invites applications for two Marvin M. Karpatkin Fellowships, which will begin in September 2013.

OVERVIEW

The Fellowship was established by the ACLU Board of Directors in memory of Marvin M. Karpatkin, the late General Counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, who died in January 1975, at the age of 48. Mr. Karpatkin was one of the ACLU's most active attorneys during the 1960s and early 1970s. He left his special mark in the areas of selective service and military law. His interest in those areas grew out of his own strong opposition to the Vietnam War and his desire to help those who, younger than himself, were faced with performing military service in a war they would not support.

Racial Justice Program (RJP) attorneys and staff work to challenge racial discrimination and related issues that have a disparate impact on communities of color, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and education and seeks to provide full access to participation in the economic system regardless of race or ethnicity. In the area of criminal justice, RJP is dedicated to reducing the unwarranted and disproportionate targeting of people of color. In the area of education, it seeks to ensure that all children have access to quality education, regardless of race or ethnicity. Specifically, RJP has filed civil challenges to the inadequate provision of indigent criminal and juvenile defense, racial profiling, and disparate educational opportunities. It has also campaigned against the racially-disproportionate imposition of incarceration and school discipline and are beginning efforts to counteract the negative effects of discrimination in mortgage lending on communities of color.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Karpatkin Fellows function as part of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program’s litigation team. One of the fellows will work jointly with the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects.
• Draft pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs.
• Interview witnesses and potential plaintiffs.
• Participate in discovery and trial practice.
• Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys.
• Serve as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work.
• Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed.
• Help manage the summer legal internship program and supervise student interns.

EXPERIENCE &QUALIFICATIONS

The Fellow is selected from third-year law students or recent graduates and will serve for a one-year period starting September 2013.

• J.D. degree or expect to receive one by the Spring of 2013.
• A knowledge of and interest in racial discrimination and related issues is preferred, but not required.
• A demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU.

COMPENSATION

The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

Application Instructions

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation and at least one legal writing sample by email to hrjobsRJP@aclu.org - reference [LGLF-06 & LGLF-45/PND] in subject line. Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant email address. This email address is specific to Racial Justice postings. Alternatively, applications can be mailed to:

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including 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”.