Technology & Civil Liberties Internship

The ACLU‐NC invites applications for internships for law and graduate students in the Legal‐Policy Department. Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an internship at the ACLU‐NC a rewarding learning experience. Internships are available year‐round. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail‐oriented; have excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills; and, can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU.

About the Legal‐Policy Department

The Legal‐Policy Department pursues cutting edge impact litigation and promotes policy change in order to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The work of the Department covers a vast span of issues with particular emphasis in ten core areas: Criminal Justice, Education Equity, Equality, First Amendment, Immigrants’ Rights, LGBT Rights, National Security, Reproductive Justice, Technology and Civil Liberties, and Voting Rights. The Department currently includes an operations manager, a legal director, five senior staff attorneys, two staff attorneys, three policy directors, two policy attorneys, five fellows, and three assistants. The Department staff work closely with the other departments within the ACLU‐NC, including Organizing & Community Engagement, Communications, Development, Finance & Administration, and with the Legislative Office based in Sacramento.

TECHNOLOGY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES INTERNSHIP

The Technology and Civil Liberties Intern will participate in cutting edge legal and policy work to safeguard privacy and free speech in the modern digital world. The intern will help draft reports, analyses, articles, and testimony to the legislature and regulatory agencies and brief the ACLU of California and National ACLU staff on a variety of technology issues. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in strategy meetings with other ACLU staff, work with other interns in the San Francisco office, and likely attend technology meetings and events throughout the Bay Area

Technology and Civil Liberties Internship applicants must currently be enrolled in law school or a graduate program in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Public Policy, Political Science, Journalism, or a related field. In addition, applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in the intersection of civil liberties and new technology, particularly privacy and free speech.

Application Process

SCHOOL YEAR INTERNSHIPS

School year internships are full‐ or part‐time, generally requiring a 16 – 24 hours per week commitment. Students on the semester system must be able to commit to working 12 – 14 weeks. Students on the quarter system can serve shorter quarter‐long internships. We greatly prefer that part‐time interns commit to work full work days (i.e., two eight‐hour days rather than four four‐hour days) and recommend that students commit as many days a week as possible for the best internship experience. Part‐time internships are not available during the summer. Semester interns earn academic credit as determined by their law schools schools. Work‐study funding may be available.

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

Summer internships are full‐time for 10 – 12 weeks and usually begin the day after Memorial Day. “Split” summers may be considered where the intern is available for a minimum of 8 weeks. For summer internships, students are encouraged to seek independent funding through their schools where available. The ACLU‐NC will consider matching grants and may provide additional funding as available.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the hiring cycle as decisions are made on a rolling basis.

• Summer term: Applications will be accepted beginning October 1 for the following summer term.
• Spring term: Applications will be accepted beginning September 15 for the following spring term.
• Fall term: Applications will be accepted beginning February 15 for the following fall term.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications from all interested students are welcome. The ACLU‐NC is proud to be an affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.

Applications must include the following: (1) Cover Letter that includes a statement about (a) which internship you are applying for and (b) a brief statement about why you want to work on that issue at the ACLU‐NC; (2) Resume; (3) Writing Sample; and, (4) List of References with contact information.

Submit applications to via email to legalpolicyinternships@aclunc.org or via U.S. mail to ACLU of Northern California, ATTN: Legal‐Policy Department Internships, 39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.