Envision stepping into a full-time litigation role at the ACLU of the District of Columbia, where you’ll take on leading responsibilities in civil rights and justice advocacy. As a Dunn Legal Fellow—an attorney position starting in Fall 2026—you’ll receive mentorship from senior public interest litigators and directly advance transformative work in D.C.↚
Champion Civil Liberties as the ACLU‑DC Dunn Legal Fellow for Fall 2026
About the Role
The ACLU‑DC invites applications from law students graduating by summer 2026 or recent J.D. holders. The Dunn Fellow works within the Legal Department, handling civil liberties cases on matters such as protest rights, mental health policing, family and workplace discrimination, LGBTQ+ rights, voting and immigration justice. Past fellows have led litigation, taken depositions, argued before courts, testified to the D.C. Council, and engaged with the media on behalf of clientsEssential Requirements
You must hold a J.D. by Fall 2026 and either be a D.C. Bar member or plan to gain admission during the fellowship year. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in civil rights or public interest settings—such as clinics, internships, or externships—and strong legal research, writing, advocacy skills, and a deep commitment to justiceCompensation & Benefits
The fellowship provides a salary of $70,000 annually, supplemented as needed if you hold external funding. You’ll also enjoy employer-paid health insurance, generous vacation and paid leave, dental and vision coverage, full 401(k) match benefits, tuition repayment assistance, and professional development support—all as part of standard ACLU‑DC employee benefits↚
What You’ll Do
Expect a dynamic mix of litigation and advocacy tasks—conducting legal research, drafting motions and briefs, interviewing clients and witnesses, FP‑record requests, supporting community trainings, and contributing to policy efforts tied to D.C. Council initiatives. You’ll collaborate closely with attorneys on high-impact cases and play a public-facing role in civil liberties defenseWhy This Fellowship Matters
This position is rare in offering deep civil liberties litigation experience straight out of law school, backed by a full-time role with strong mentorship in a powerhouse public interest organization. It presents typical public interest challenges with far-reaching impact—representing vulnerable communities in court, contributing to policy change, and shaping local civil rights jurisprudence↚