ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for up to two year s. The Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative ( ACDI ) of the National office seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 202 7 .

Requirements

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Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. The ACDI team of attorneys manages a network of experienced criminal defenders nationwide who are trusted partners, ready to represent people at risk of abortion-related criminal investigations and prosecutions.

ACDI attorneys provide legal, strategic, and logistical assistance to support local counsel and drive a nationwide, coordinated defense response against the criminalization of reproductive healthcare. In addition, ACDI attorneys collaborate closely with other projects in the ACLU’s national office as well as ACLU affiliates to lead advocacy and litigation to mitigate the harms of abortion criminalization and expand access to abortion care. We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 26, 2026 .

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the ACDI Director , the Fellow will be focused on two related goals: (1) supporting network defense counsel who will provide direct representation of those facing abortion related prosecution; (2) identify opportunities and assist in implementation of affirmative advocacy strategies to reduce the harms of laws that criminalize abortion access. The Fellow will be a fully integrated member of the ACDI team and will engage in legal work critical to the success of the ACDI’s mission. D.

Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative (ACDI)