Law Clerk Summer 2024

SUMMARY

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) legal department ensures equality, fairness, and justice through impact litigation and other legal advocacy initiatives that span from the historic Scopes “Monkey Trial” and representation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the sanitation workers’ march in Memphis to ensuring access to private prison records, protecting families’ religious freedom rights, advocating for gay and lesbian parents denied visitation with their children, and defending voters’ right to have their ballots counted.

Law clerks will gain practical experience in civil liberties and constitutional rights cases. Students are involved in research and preparation of legal memoranda, fact investigations, client and witness interviews, discovery, pre-trial motions, handling of expert witnesses, and accompanying lawyers at court appearances. Additionally, clerks may have an opportunity to work with ACLU-TN’s legal department, cooperating attorneys around the state, and attorneys at the national offices of the ACLU in New York and Washington, DC.

Law clerks report to the legal director and may collaborate with other ACLU-TN departments on various projects. Accepted candidates are assigned projects based on the intern's skills and interests, academic requirements (if applicable), and organizational needs.

Depending on the applicant's needs and location, Law Clerks can be in-person, remote, or on a hybrid schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda related to ongoing litigation and requests for services.
• Assist attorneys in drafting motions and other filings related to litigation.
• Review discovery and assist in preparation for depositions and court hearings. 
• Occasionally engage in administrative work supporting the larger organization.
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Law student working toward a Juris Doctor degree or L.L.M. at an accredited law school.
• Interest in and commitment to advancing civil liberties, civil rights, and racial and social justice.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

COMPENSATION

All full-time summer Law Clerk positions are paid $20 an hour (not exceeding 35 hours a week). Due to ACLU-TN’s limited resources, students are encouraged to apply for Public Interest Law Foundation Grants or other grants and to investigate work-study options as alternative sources of compensation. This position is not eligible for medical benefits, vacation time, or retirement. 

APPLY

If you're excited about devoting your talents and skills to the ACLU-TN, please apply through our Career Page hosted via JazzHR (see their privacy policy). 

The deadline for completed applications is Friday, December 15. Completed applications include a cover letter, resume, three references, and a short writing sample. The cover letter should explain your interest in working on specific civil liberties issues. 

If you are unable to submit your application via the Career Page, you can also mail your application to:

ACLU of Tennessee
RE: Summer Law Clerk
P.O. Box 120160
Nashville, TN 37212

ABOUT

Founded in 1968, ACLU-TN is a private, non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights through advocacy, coalition-building, legal, legislative, community mobilization, and public education initiatives. Our mission is to translate the promises of the Bill of Rights into reality for all Tennesseans.

ACLU-TN has been on the front lines of many civil liberties and civil rights struggles. As we move into a new era and face dangerous government policies and practices, we remain dedicated to confronting these issues and defending our progress. We continue to successfully pursue cutting-edge initiatives on various issues, including democracy and voting, free expression and censorship, reproductive justice, racial justice, and trans justice.

Our Team values an inclusive culture. We encourage 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 record of arrest or conviction.

We make every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment practices provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, full employment opportunities in all positions. ACLU-TN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Please do not hesitate to inquire at jobs@aclu-tn.org if you need accommodations during the application or interview process.

#LI-DNI

Powered by JazzHR

BInAqYKwMf