The ACLU of Utah seeks to hire a passionate and driven full-time Legal Fellow to assist with legal research, writing, and analysis as well as engage in external advocacy efforts in support of civil rights and civil liberties. At the ACLU of Utah, we work to ensure that constitutional rights and protections are in fact provided to every person within our state, regardless of country of birth or citizenship status. This legal fellowship will have a primary focus on supporting our work upholding immigrant and refugee rights within the state of Utah.  

Position Overview and Functions 

This Legal Fellow is a full-time, exempt, and salaried position. This position is classified as “For-Cause” after the defined 6-month introductory/probationary period as indicated in the ACLU of Utah Handbook. This position will work under the supervision of Staff Attorney Tom Ford, as a member of the legal department, and work in close collaboration with our campaign and communications departments, and other staff members across the organization. 

This is a two-year fellowship designed for an early career attorney with a JD from an accredited law school. Continuation beyond two years may be possible dependent upon funding.  

Specifically, the Legal Fellow will: 

• Assist with identifying and filing legal challenges for citizens and lawful residents who are unlawfully swept up in immigration enforcement actions;  

• Identify and challenge constitutional rights violations that accompany mass deportations such as lack of due process, Fourth Amendment violations, or unlawful conditions of confinement; 

• Engage in factual research regarding policies and practices affecting the rights of immigrants and refugees in Utah; 

• Create and present community education materials such as Know Your Rights (KYR) pamphlets, flyers, and booklets for impacted communities, allies, and stakeholders; 

• Use existing organizational white papers related to immigrant and refugee rights and potentially engage in new legal research to further advance the ACLU of Utah’s immigrants’ and refugees’ rights priorities at the municipal, county, and state level; 

• In coordination with the Campaigns Department, expand new and maintain continuing relationships with community partners and coalitions in immigrant and refugee communities in the state of Utah including churches, direct legal service providers, immigrant-led organizations, consulates, etc.  

• Assist in combatting misinformation & disinformation in the media by collaborating with both the Campaigns & Communications Departments to enhance accurate public understanding of civil rights; 

• Support national ACLU initiatives related to immigrants’ and refugees’ rights; 

• Support Legal Department capacity by assisting in other active legal work, specifically assisting with First Amendment rights to free speech and protest; 

• Perform other related duties as required. 

Who We Are 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah, established in 1958, is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil rights and liberties for all people in Utah.  
 
Our Vision is a state where all persons enjoy the civil rights and civil liberties promised to them in the United States and Utah Constitutions and laws. We seek to obtain our vision through our Mission which is operating through public education, legal action, and legislative and community advocacy to enhance and defend the civil rights and freedoms of everyone living in or visiting Utah. We are an inclusive, nonpartisan, statewide organization powered by our members, donors, and volunteers.  

The ACLU of Utah office, located in downtown Salt Lake City, is staffed by approximately 20 full-time team members who work in various roles and collaborate across multiple departments to execute our Strategic Plan, which is created by the ACLU of Utah Board. Our work is particularly active at this time in achieving reproductive freedom, safeguarding voting rights, seeking racial justice in Immigrants’ Rights and Indigenous Justice, opposing K-12 censorship and book banning, and obtaining and securing LGBTQIA Rights.  

Who You Are 

The ideal candidate for this role is a recent law school graduate with a JD from an accredited law school who has demonstrated a commitment to immigrants’ and refugees’ rights. This position will work directly with the legal department and will require strong research, writing, time-management skills, and attention to detail and is someone with strong interpersonal skills in both written and oral communication. Since we are a small but mighty team, this position is best suited for a dynamic self-starter and efficient collaborator who understands how to apply the concepts of diversity and inclusion in a team setting by respecting and valuing the differences of perspective, opinion, and beliefs of others. 

Preference may be given to applicants who have been admitted to the Utah State bar, are fluent in Spanish, have experience working alongside immigrant & refugee populations, have understanding of Utah-specific immigration laws and policies, and are familiar with the U.S. immigration system and the criminal legal system.  

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 

The ACLU of Utah is committed to developing a culture of diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. The ACLU of Utah is an equal-opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable law. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply and value people of all races, genders (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientations, disabilities, citizenships, ages, religions, and national origins and who have different marital statuses, family caregiving responsibilities, lived experiences with the criminal justice systems, and genetic information. The ACLU of Utah does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these characteristics. 

Salary and Benefits: 

The salary range for this position is between $65,000 and $70,000. Excellent benefits that expand total compensation include:  

• PTO for vacation & health care leave totaling 24+ days annually; 

• Paid parental leave for new parents;  

• 13 paid holidays & 2 floating holidays;  

• 401(k) plan with employer matching contribution up to 5.5% with a 1-year vesting schedule; 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with premiums covered 100% for employees & 50% for dependents by the ACLU of Utah; 

• Life & Disability insurance covered 100% by the ACLU of Utah for employees; 

• Employee Assistance Programs that provide comprehensive and confidential services from counseling to eldercare services to work-life resources; 

• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses; 

• A commitment to professional growth and development. 

How To Apply:  

Please submit a cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

All cover letters are welcome, but an ideal cover letter to include in your application will briefly highlight, why the ACLU of Utah is a good match for you at this point in your career, your interest and experience in Immigrants’ Rights and/or Refugee Rights, and the parts of your application that match the candidate description above. 

Application review will begin in December and will continue until the position is filled. The target start date for this position is mid to late January or early February 2025.  

The ACLU of Utah is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail HR at cwelburn@acluutah.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.