American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties. ACLU of Colorado is an affiliate of the national ACLU, and it is the state’s guardian of freedom, working in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities across the state to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all. Founded in 1952, ACLU of Colorado is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the promise of equal justice under the law for all Coloradans. For more information about the work of the ACLU of Colorado and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please see the About Us and Our Work sections on our website.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion
ACLU of Colorado is an equitable opportunity employer. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all community members can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified persons, including people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups.
ACLU of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment that practices equitable and inclusive treatment and is quick to act to prevent and address harassment or discrimination of any kind.
Job Description
Law students interested in public interest work are encouraged to apply for summer 2025 intern positions with the ACLU of Colorado located in Denver. Students should expect to work full-time for 7-10 consecutive weeks over the course of the summer. Legal interns at the ACLU of Colorado will gain valuable experience working under the supervision of ACLU attorneys on the wide variety of civil liberties issues that comprise the ACLU’s docket. Visit ACLU CO - In the Courts for descriptions of recent ACLU of Colorado cases, and ACLU CO - Our Issues for descriptions of recent ACLU of Colorado advocacy.
Main Responsibilities
Law students interning with the ACLU of Colorado participate in many aspects of litigation and legal advocacy including legal research, legal writing, interviewing witnesses, and other factual and legal investigation. Interns also participate in meetings with staff and co-counsel discussing case selection and litigation strategy.
Qualifications
ACLU of Colorado prefers students who will have completed two years of law school, have a demonstrated interest in civil rights, civil liberties and social justice, and possess excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills. Exceptional first-year students are also encouraged to apply.
Hybrid Schedule
ACLU of Colorado has a hybrid work model that requires staff to work in the office at least 2 days per week and staff may work remotely or in the office the other 3 days.
Compensation
ACLU of Colorado will compensate successful intern applicants at a rate of $22/hour that will be paid over the course of the internship as wages, subject to withholding. Students are still encouraged to seek grants or fellowships from public interest fellowship funds through their law school or other funders. Arrangements can also be made with the student’s law school for work/study stipends, depending on the availability of work study in conjunction with a paid internship.
To Apply
Students interested in spending a summer working with the ACLU of Colorado Legal Department should submit a cover letter explaining their interest in the ACLU of Colorado, a resume, list of three references, and short writing sample (5-10 pages).
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed until the positions are filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by Friday, December 6, 2024.
Applications should be sent by email to ACLU of Colorado Paralegal Mia Bailey at [email protected], with “Internship Application__ (First and last name)” in the subject line. No phone calls please. Qualified applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted directly by ACLU of Colorado Legal Department staff. Any questions regarding whether the application has been received or is complete should be directed to Mia Bailey at [email protected].