The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS) seeks a talented recent law school graduate to fill a position in ACS's national headquarters. The Fellowship will begin in September 2013 and end in August 2014. The Fellow will serve as part of ACS’s Department of Policy Development and Programming staff, which is led by a group of experienced attorneys who coordinate and facilitate ACS's rapidly expanding output of innovative, highly relevant legal and public policy work. He or she will work with the Department staff to implement an ambitious multi-year effort to engage scholars, practitioners, public officials, and law students in the articulation and dissemination of a progressive vision of the Constitution, law, and public policy.
The Fellow will have the opportunity to work on a range of progressive issues that are reflective of the ACS Issue Groups, which include Access to Justice; Criminal Justice; Economic, Workplace and Environmental Regulation; First Amendment; Separation of Powers and Federalism; Constitutional Interpretation and Change; Democracy and Voting; Equality and Liberty; and Judicial Nominations. The Fellow can expect to work closely with the Judicial Nominations Project, which directs national attention to the excessive vacancies in the federal judiciary.
Candidates must have great interest in advancing the mission of ACS. Strong legal research and writing skills are required and ideal candidates will be Bluebook proficient. The National Law Fellow will take direction well and work collaboratively with the Programs team, while also being innovative and self-starting. This position may be ideal for someone who has been deferred from a law firm or is eligible to receive school or other outside funding. In those instances where outside funding cannot be secured, ACS may be able to provide a small stipend.
ACS is an equal opportunity employer; women, people of color, people with disabilities and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should e-mail a complete application package including a cover letter indicating the applicant's interest in working for ACS, a resume, and an unedited 5-page legal writing sample, ideally a portion of a journal note or seminar paper, to jobs@ACSLaw.org or fax them to (202) 393-6189, Attention: Chris McLamb, Programs Fellow.
The deadline for applications was January 31, 2013.
Here’s how past ACS law fellows describe their experience of working at ACS:
"ACS is a wonderful place to start one's legal career. The fellowship provided me the opportunity to work on challenging projects in a variety of substantive areas. The chance to work independently on so many high profile assignments is rare in many fellowships, but ACS allowed me those opportunities from the start. The skills I developed while at ACS have proved to be invaluable as my career has progressed. I became a better writer and a more thoughtful researcher and lawyer. My colleagues were the some of the most talented lawyers I've ever known, and the atmosphere of the office is collegial and collaborative. I can't imagine a better fellowship experience."
- Anthony J. Catalino, 2011 ACS Law Fellow; University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2010
"Working at ACS was an incredibly useful and fun way to begin my legal career. I had the chance to immerse myself in a wide variety of important issues while working alongside wonderful and supportive colleagues. My time at ACS allowed me to develop my professional abilities, both tangible and intangible. I became a better writer and editor, a more thoughtful and organized employee, and better able to work with a variety of personalities. At the same time, ACS trusted me with responsibility at a young age and allowed me to develop independence and confidence in a professional setting. The lessons I learned and the skills I gained have proved invaluable long after my fellowship ended."
- Nathan M. McClellan, 2010 ACS Law Fellow; Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2009