LEGAL AID
POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROCEDURES

NAME OF ORGANIZATION: ACLU of Washington Foundation

WEBSITE: www.aclu-wa.org

OFFICE LOCATIONS: Seattle

CONTACT PERSON: Nina Jenkins (njenkins@aclu-wa.org)

WHEN DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT(S): The ACLU finalizes Fellowship Projects after student candidates are selected and the student candidates are generally selected by August 1.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP PROJECT:
The legal director works with staff attorneys and the policy department to develop proposals targeting areas of current and emerging needs within the ACLU's mission.

ARE STUDENT PROPOSALS INVITED: Students selected as Fellowship candidates participate in developing the general proposal.

HOW DOES ORGANIZATION SELECT FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE: The ACLU posts instructions for the application process on pslawnet.org and its website. The ACLU strives to post instructions by the end of May, accepting applications on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected, generally before August 1. The ACLU's selection process includes a strong preference for students who have had the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment and skills through past internships/externships with the ACLU. Candidates must generally have demonstrated a strong commitment to civil liberties and civil rights and an intent to pursue a career in public interest. Strong preference for candidates who speak languages other than English.

WHICH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS DOES THE ORGANIZATION APPLY FOR NATIONALLY AND/OR LOCALLY: Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Soros Open Society Institute, Seattle University Law School's Post-graduate fellowship, Berkeley Law Foundation, Columbia Law School's Post-graduate fellowships and other national and local fellowship programs which fund work consistent with the ACLU's mission.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DOES THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE THE FELLOWSHIP CANDIDATE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS: The ACLU legal director and staff attorneys work closely with the candidate in developing the proposal and drafting the application. The ACLU and the candidate will divide the application sections, and proofread and revise each other's sections. The ACLU encourages the candidate to seek outside review of the proposal, and will assist the candidate in identifying such readers.
The ACLU will also work with the student in preparing for any interviews, including mock interviews and assistance with development of presentation materials when deemed necessary.