Can't Protect Itself
VOLUNTEERS
The ACLU of Virginia has clerical volunteer opportunities during the General Assembly session, which begins in January. In addition, there may be a need for special project volunteers at other times of the year. To get involved, email us at
STUDENT INTERNSHIPS
The ACLU of Virginia offers summer internships for college undergraduates and graduate students.
In order to ensure a good fit, for both the ACLU of Virginia and the intern, we ask that you submit a resume and a letter describing the relevant skills you possess, the kind of work you are willing to do, and the specific issue area(s) that interest you. Please include a start and end date, as well as your hours of availability. The internship will be unpaid. Applications will be reviewed during April and decisions will be made by May 15. For inquiries and/or to submit your application, contact us at acluva@acluva.org (with the Subject, "Internship Application") or 804-644-8022.
LAW STUDENTS
The ACLU of Virginia offers one unpaid internship per summer. A student intern at the ACLU of Virginia will work closely with the Legal Director, who will supervise the intern. In addition to his or her interactions with the supervising attorney, the intern will have the opportunity to consult with cooperating attorneys and attorneys from the ACLU national office, each of whom has deep and varied experience to offer.
The intern will be an integral part of the legal program, and will contribute as much and in as many ways as his or her ability allows. The intern will assist in the development of ACLU cases from initial intake, through interviews, factual investigation, and legal research, to litigation.
Most of the vast number of requests for ACLU assistance are rejected by letter after careful screening, and the intern will provide valuable research, writing, and investigative help with this all-important process in simple and difficult cases alike. Many requests for ACLU assistance take time, investigation, and legal research to evaluate for the presence of significant and litigable civil liberties issues.
Cases that do present such issues are considered for presentation to the legal panel, a lawyers’ committee of the Virginia ACLU Board that meets regularly to discuss cases in depth. The intern may assist in written and oral presentations to the Legal Panel, and take part in case discussions. The student may help develop board-approved cases into actual lawsuits. Many matters are disposed of informally by negotiation or other means, and the student’s role can extend into these functions as well.
When the ACLU does end up litigating a case, the intern will be encouraged to attend court and depositions with the supervising attorney and/or cooperating attorney, and will participate in researching and writing pleadings. Because ACLU litigation often involves imminent threats, or harms already occurring, to the exercise of constitutional rights, suits to enforce those rights must often be handled quickly. Tough legal issues can arise that call for virtually instant response, often in unsympathetic forums, testing the skill, commitment, and dedication of all who participate.
Contact the ACLU of Virginia legal director at acluva@acluva.org for more information.