The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan welcomes proposals from recent law graduates, judicial law clerks, and other qualified applicants for funded fellowships on cutting-edge civil liberties and civil rights issues. Selected applicants will work together with the ACLU of Michigan to develop and submit proposals for national public interest law fellowships, such as the Skadden, Soros, Equal Justice Works, and Justice Catalyst fellowships. Selected applicants who are eligible for law-school specific fellowships, such as the Liman, Harvard Law Review, or University of Chicago public interest law fellowships, are encouraged to apply for those as well. Click here for more information about possible fellowship sources.

With over 35 full-time staff members, the ACLU of Michigan is one of the largest affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union and a leading civil rights organization within the state. We litigate groundbreaking, high-impact, high-profile cases addressing a wide range of constitutional issues, including freedom of speech and religion, police misconduct, voting, due process, privacy, poverty, criminal justice, reproductive freedom, education, and the rights of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ persons, persons with disabilities, immigrants, and people who are incarcerated.

We welcome applications with project proposals relating to any civil rights or civil liberties area. Interested applicants should review our website and legal docket for a better understanding of our work. Proposals related to areas such as voting rights, immigrants’ rights, and expanding state constitutional rights may be most likely to align with our current organizational priorities. Some examples include:

Voting Rights

• Protecting the election in Michigan in 2028, including any possible post-election litigation and advocacy. Possible projects could focus on (though need not be limited to) ensuring access to the polls for disabled voters, combatting election subversion efforts by federal officials or agents, and/or enforcing Michigan’s State Constitution’s relatively new express fundamental right to vote.

Immigrants’ Rights

• Addressing the massive increase in immigration detention through habeas filings. Possible projects could include writing amicus briefs in precedent-setting appeals and developing pro se packets and model pleadings.
• Documenting and challenging detention conditions at the North Lake Processing Center, a newly-opened, privately owned detention center, which is the largest such facility in the Midwest.

State Court Initiative

• The ACLU of Michigan has developed a new project focusing on using the Michigan Constitution and state law to protect civil rights and civil liberties. Possible projects might focus on expanding Michigan protections in particular areas (e.g., criminal law, free speech, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights).

The list above contains only a few examples of what an applicant can propose. Whatever the topic, we will work with the selected fellowship candidate to develop a proposal that builds on the candidate’s interests and skills, ensures appropriate supervision, fits with the ACLU’s priorities, and employs strategies most likely to be effective in advancing the project’s goals.

As part of the ACLU of Michigan’s mission to increase access and opportunity for those individuals and groups who have historically been under-represented and underserved, the ACLU of Michigan is committed to having a diverse workplace. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Fellows will work either in Detroit or Grand Rapids with supervision dependent on the location and fellowship project.

Qualifications:
Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, exceptional research and writing skills, and a J.D. degree (or expect one within the next year).

Salary:
This opportunity is not funded by the ACLU of Michigan. The ACLU of Michigan will cooperate with successful applicants to seek fellowship support, and the salary will be based on the terms of the fellowship awarded. For Skadden Fellows, the 2026 salary is $73,000. For fellowships with lower salaries, the ACLU of Michigan will make up the difference so as to match the Skadden salary. Fellows will also be eligible for the ACLU of Michigan’s standard benefits package, including healthcare coverage.

How to Apply:
Applications for sponsorship will be considered on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible to allow time for development of fellowship proposals.

To be considered for sponsorship, please submit a cover letter that:

• identifies a specific area of interest, specific fellowship project, and goals for what you want to accomplish during the fellowship;
• explains why you want the ACLU of Michigan to host your project;
• specifies the fellowships for which you would like to apply; and
• identifies whether you are willing to work in either the Detroit or Grand Rapids office, and whether you have a preference for one office over the other.

Please append a resume and a writing sample to your cover letter. Applications should be emailed as a single PDF to mberger@aclumich.org.

Applicants should also be ready to ask two recommenders to write letters in support of their fellowship applications. Letters of recommendation need not be submitted with your cover letter but may be required before the ACLU selects a candidate for sponsorship.

In advance of submitting their applications, applicants may seek guidance about whether their area of interest and proposed work fit within the ACLU’s priorities and strategies by emailing Marty Berger at mberger@aclumich.org.