ACLU of Michigan summer opportunity

Legal interns at the ACLU of Michigan have the opportunity to work on cutting edge civil liberties and civil rights cases, including police misconduct, post-9/11 issues, reproductive freedom, voting rights, free speech, disability rights, religious freedom, privacy, drug policy, LGBT rights, and the rights of people of color, women, immigrants, the homeless, juveniles and prisoners.

Law students work on many aspects of potential and ongoing cases, such as: drafting memoranda addressing the merits of a case, meeting with and interviewing plaintiffs and witnesses, and drafting complaints and briefs.  Last summer, for example, students helped us on two novel and landmark cases—the right to read in Michigan and a case against Morgan Stanley for predatory lending and discrimination against African-American homeowners.  It is a wonderful opportunity to become immersed in civil liberties litigation.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

Responsibilities: Law students work on many aspects of potential and ongoing cases, such as: drafting memoranda addressing the merits of a case, meeting with and interviewing plaintiffs and witnesses, and drafting complaints and briefs. Students may also be asked to analyze the constitutionality of pending legislation or help with discovery.

Internship Locations
Internships are available at our Detroit headquarters, our Lansing legislative office, and our West Michigan Regional Office in Grand Rapids. In your cover letter, please indicate whether you have a geographic preference.

Qualifications:
- Must have finished first year of law school
- Very strong research, writing and communication skills
- A demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights issues
- Students who have studied constitutional law are preferred

Supervision: Legal interns and externs will be supervised by the legal director and six staff attorneys. They may also be asked to assist a cooperating attorney on a pending case or to work with the executive director or legislative director.

Credit/Fellowships: Our summer legal internship requires a 10 to 12 week commitment. This is an unpaid internship. Students are highly encouraged to seek public interest fellowship funds. Arrangements can also be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends or course credit.

Applications: Applications for summer 2013 will be considered on a rolling basis but should be submitted no later than January 31, 2013. Please email a cover letter, resume and writing sample to:

Michael J. Steinberg, Legal Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan
2966 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 578-6814
msteinberg@aclumich.org

To learn more about the ACLU, go to www.aclumich.org or www.aclu.org.