1. 800. 973.1177
LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
The American Civil Liberties Union [Marty Schultz-Akerson] Like most non-profit organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union does not offer premium salaries. However, it does offer the perfect venue for an idealistic American who seeks nothing more than to try and uphold the Bill of Rights whenever possible.
Dedicated to protecting the Constitution and
Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation.
welcome to apply for positions in legislative
the Bill of Rights, the American Civil Liber-
Both share a commitment to protecting con-
affairs and operations.
ties Union has been an influential player in
stitutional rights, but differ on how they go
the U.S. legal arena since it was founded in
about doing it. The American Civil Liberties
Undoubtedly, one might find a better paying
1920. Although many people might associate
Union engages heavily in legislative lobby-
job in private practice. However, the ACLU
the ACLU with leftwing politics and beliefs,
ing and, therefore, is not eligible to receive
boasts 400,000 members for a reason:
the group prides itself on its non-profit and
tax-deductible donations. Instead, member-
people believe in its mission. Technologi-
non-partisan status (it has never endorsed a
ship dues go to that group while donations
cal innovations and international terrorist
presidential candidate) and has represented
are directed to the ACLU Foundation, which
threats have changed the social landscape
parties and interests that span the political
handles most of the litigation work.
of America. These types of changes, both
spectrum.
positive and negative, add new complexiTwo prized positions for lawyers in the ACLU
ties to the meaning and interpretation of the
The ACLU is known for its participation in
organization are the executive director and
Constitution and make advocates such as the
First Amendment cases. Famous examples
the legal director. The current executive di-
ACLU increasingly important.
include its success at getting a ban on James
rector, Anthony Romero, assumed command
Joyce’s Ulysses lifted in 1933 and halting
a week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He
Congress’ attempt to pass the Communi-
has led the ACLU through an age ripe with
cations Decency Act, which sought to ban
new challenges for the Constitution and Bill
“indecent” speech on the Internet, in 1997.
of Rights. He has overseen rapid member-
More controversial examples include its
ship growth, possibly stemming from the
fight in 1977 against Illinois ordinances that
ACLU’s outspokenness on the importance
outlawed Nazi demonstrations (the ACLU lost
of balancing national security and privacy
substantial Jewish membership that year)
rights. The current legal director is Steven
and its work over the years to stop legislation
Shapiro, an adjunct professor of constitu-
that would outlaw burning the American flag.
tional law at Columbia University.
The ACLU has also advocated widely for
Aside from senior leadership roles, lawyers
underrepresented communities and played
fit into the ACLU in numerous ways. Sixty
a large role in civil rights movements for
full-time lawyers manage the ACLU’s heavy
minorities and women. In 1942, the ACLU
docket of nearly 6,000 cases per year. They
voiced its opposition to the U.S. government’s
also coordinate and supervise the assistance
treatment of Japanese-Americans after
of thousands of volunteer attorneys across
Pearl Harbor. The ACLU also pushed for the
the nation. In addition, several different
elimination of racial segregation in schools
types of paid legal fellowships are avail-
and participated in the landmark 1954 ruling
able in areas ranging from racial justice and
in Brown vs. Board of Education.
human rights to national security and drug law policy. Legal fellows engage in legal
The ACLU is actually composed of two
research, draft briefs and pleadings for trial,
separate organizations: the American Civil
and participate in litigation. Lawyers are also
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