Careers & Internships

The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department invites law and policy graduate students to apply for its Criminal Law & Immigration Project externship. Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an externship at ACLU NorCal to be a rewarding learning experience. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU.

The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department invites law and graduate students to apply for its Democracy, Speech & Technology Externship. Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an externship at ACLU NorCal to be a rewarding learning experience. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU.

The attorneys will work under the supervision of one of our program directors or deputy program directors, and can be based in ACLU NorCal’s San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno office.

ACLU NorCal seeks two Fellows to join our Legal Advocacy department. The Fellows will serve a two-year term, starting in Fall 2027. Over the course of those two years, the Fellow will help to develop and carry out litigation and policy work to advance the department’s overarching strategic plans and to protect and defend civil rights and civil liberties for all Californians. The position works under the supervision of the Director of Appellate Advocacy or Senior Supervising Attorney.

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California seeks individuals to volunteer as a Civil Liberties Intake Counselor with the Legal-Advocacy Department.