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ACLU of Michigan - West Michigan Legal Fellow
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Description
This two-year, internally-funded position in the ACLU’s western regional office in Grand Rapids starts
in fall 2026 and is designed to provide emerging social justice leaders with excellent training and
experience in impact litigation and integrated advocacy. The ACLU is committed to developing the next generation of civil rights leaders, recognizes that talent comes from a variety of backgrounds, and has created this position to develop the talent of that next generation. The ACLU is deeply committed to racial equity and social justice and is driven to act on these core values. The fellow must be able to recognize ways our identities intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities we serve, and must demonstrate the cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities.
The fellow will work closely with the West Michigan office’s Senior Staff Attorney to help develop and
litigate cases at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts on a wide variety of cutting-edge civil liberties and civil rights issues. Recent ACLU of Michigan fellows have worked on Pueblo v. Haas (securing ability of parents in same-sex relationships to seek custody and parenting time for their children); Malam v. Adducci (challenging immigration detention during the pandemic); Hamama v. Adducci (challenging mass deportation and detention of Iraqi nationals to face persecution, torture or death); Does III v. Whitmer (challenging Michigan’s sex offender registry as unconstitutional); Corridore v. Washington (seeking habeas jurisdiction based on lifetime electronic monitoring); and Johnson v. Vanderkooi (challenging police practice of taking fingerprints during Terry stops). Check out our docket for more about how we are fighting to protect civil liberties and civil rights.
The West Michigan Legal Fellow will participate in both litigation and non-litigation advocacy activities on a broad range of issues. The Legal Fellow will be involved in investigation, client interviewing, legal and factual research, discovery, and brief writing. In addition, the Legal Fellow will have the opportunity to engage in non-litigation advocacy, including policy work, public speaking, and community engagement. Examples of past fellow activities include writing amicus briefs that led to favorable criminal law rulings in the Michigan appellate courts, organizing to oppose the opening of an ICE detention facility in Michigan, taking and defending depositions in Does III, conducting know your rights trainings for communities across Michigan and for detained Hamama class members, leading advocacy efforts to oppose ordinances targeting the unhoused in Grand Rapids, and arguing in the Sixth Circuit in Corridore.
This two-year, internally-funded position in the ACLU’s western regional office in Grand Rapids starts
in fall 2026 and is designed to provide emerging social justice leaders with excellent training and
experience in impact litigation and integrated advocacy. The ACLU is committed to developing the next generation of civil rights leaders, recognizes that talent comes from a variety of backgrounds, and has created this position to develop the talent of that next generation. The ACLU is deeply committed to racial equity and social justice and is driven to act on these core values. The fellow must be able to recognize ways our identities intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities we serve, and must demonstrate the cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities.
The fellow will work closely with the West Michigan office’s Senior Staff Attorney to help develop…
Benefits
This is a two-year, ACLU-funded position with a salary of $70,000. Excellent benefits including health
insurance, a 401(k) plan, and generous vacation time. The ACLU of Michigan adheres to the Michigan
Earned Sick Time Act requirements.
This is a two-year, ACLU-funded position with a salary of $70,000. Excellent benefits including health
insurance, a 401(k) plan, and generous vacation time. The ACLU of Michigan adheres to the Michigan
Earned Sick Time Act requirements.
Location
Associated Location
Suite 260
How to Apply
Please submit in digital form, by email, a detailed letter of interest addressed to Miriam Aukerman, a
resume, a legal writing sample and contact information for three references. Send to
westmichiganfellow@aclumich.org. We will begin considering applications on September 1, 2025, and will continue to consider them on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The start date in fall 2026 is negotiable and the position will remain open until filled. In your letter of
interest, please indicate when you would be available to begin the fellowship, if selected.
Interviews will be conducted by videoconference and phone based on candidate comfort.
Accommodations will happily be made to adjust to restricted internet, computer, or technology access.
The ACLU of Michigan is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with
disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail westmichiganfellow@aclumich.org and include “Accommodation” in the subject line. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an
accommodation for the interview process.
The ACLU of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an
inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital
status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Please submit in digital form, by email, a detailed letter of interest addressed to Miriam Aukerman, a
resume, a legal writing sample and contact information for three references…
