The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy is seeking dynamic and versatile candidates for paid law clerk positions. ACS plans to hire two full time law clerks for Spring 2009 and Summer 2009. Law clerks work primarily on ACS’s Constitution in the 21st Century Project, an initiative to promote positive, much-needed change in our legal and policy landscape. This job presents a unique opportunity to work on substantive projects on a range of progressive legal issues including separation of powers, voting rights, criminal justice, and racial, gender and GLBT equality, among others.

Applicants should have strong research and writing skills and an interest in ACS’s mission. Candidates must have completed at least one year of law school. For Fall and Spring law clerks, pay is $10 per hour for 15-20 hours of work per week; scheduling is flexible to accommodate classes. The stipend for full-time summer law clerks for eleven weeks is $3,500. 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 to jobs@ACSLaw.org or fax them to (202) 393-6189, Attention: Shannon Hiller, Programs Fellow.

Here’s how ACS law clerks describe their experience of working at ACS:

“A law fellowship at ACS gave me the opportunity to work on exciting, timely issues with premier constitutional scholars from across the country. I learned about a wide array of legal issues from this dynamic group of legal professionals, as well as from my distinguished ACS co-workers. Specifically, I helped to evaluate and select a moot court problem in the area of election law for ACS' Constance Baker Motley National Moot Court Competition in Constitutional Law. I prepared memos regarding separation of powers issues and recent Supreme Court decisions on reproductive choice, employment discrimination and school desegregation. I helped to plan speaking events throughout the summer on a variety of legal issues, culminating with the ACS National Convention in July, for which I helped to organize panels and prepare briefings for speakers on their panel topic areas. It was a distinct honor to write and discuss law and policy with the accomplished ACS staff and so many of the scholars who participate in ACS events.”

- Martha Plante
ACS Law Fellow, Summer 2007
J.D. Candidate, Class of 2008
American University’s Washington College of Law

“This is how everyone should learn law and policy! Working at ACS has given me the opportunity to really dive into progressive legal issues, build my research and analytical skills, and learn about important people, issues, and policies in the world of law and policy. I came to ACS having learned the basics in law school. However, it is here that I have really learned how those principles are applied and nuanced in a world of issues that cut to the core of our society – such as Congress renewing funding for the war in Iraq, the death penalty as it applies to the mentally disabled, pharmacists’ refusals to dispense the morning after pill, the structure of the judiciary, and others. The icing on the cake is that the people at ACS are a really friendly bunch – always willing to answer questions, brainstorm with you, or just discuss what’s going on and how it applies to the work we’re doing.”

- Emily K. Strunk
ACS Law Fellow, Spring Semester 2007
J.D. Candidate, Class of 2008
American University’s Washington College of Law

“While at ACS, I was enthralled by the excitement of the office and the tackling of the important legal issues of the day. During my fellowship, I prepared memoranda on several provocative legal issues that were currently before the Supreme Court, including topics such as employment discrimination and first amendment rights. I also attended, and helped in the preparation of, numerous ACS press briefings around Washington, D.C., which included renowned legal scholars. The people I worked with encouraged the individuality of the law clerks, understood the meaning of teamwork, and promoted diversity. I appreciated being part of an organization that has a vision dedicated to promoting a progressive view of our Nation’s laws.”

- Michael D. Sandulak
ACS Law Fellow, Spring Semester 2007
J.D. Candidate, Class of 2007
University of Maryland School of Law