The Isaac Rethy Memorial Fellowship at the ACLU of Mississippi (“ACLU of MS”) in Jackson, MS is a two-year post graduate legal fellowship open to recent law school graduates from any ABA accredited law school, including new graduates and those finishing other fellowships or clerkships. Applicants with a strong understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, civil liberties, civil rights and the mission of the ACLU of MS are preferred. The fellow will earn $60,000 per year for two years, and will receive health benefits. The Fellowship is in person at the ACLU of MS office in Jackson, MS, but offers some hybrid work opportunities.
The ACLU of MS is dedicated to promoting, defending, and extending civil rights and civil liberties to all Mississippians with emphasis on issues related to criminal justice reform, education opportunities, equal access/equality for all, voting rights, and governmental transparency and accountability. It accomplishes its mission through legislation, litigation and advocacy. The Isaac Rethy Memorial Fellow will provide general support to the ACLU of MS legal department and will thereby engage in civil rights advocacy and litigation in the Deep South.
The Fellowship is named after Isaac Rethy, Litigation Counsel at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, who passed away suddenly at age 38 in the spring of 2023. His pro bono docket for the ACLU of MS covered a wide variety of issues, including challenging racially discriminatory policing; protecting the use of the town square for speech, assembly, and protest; and advocating for Black voters to have a fair opportunity to elect their candidates of choice to the state supreme court. Isaac was revered for his deep understanding of legal theories, his unique gift for developing nuanced and novel legal arguments, his unfailing patience with and kindness toward clients and colleagues, and his abiding commitment to civil rights and racial justice.
The Fellowship will begin in the Fall of 2025.
How To Apply
To apply, applicants should submit the attached application form and the materials listed below to Erica Mannery-Barker embarker@aclu-ms.org. The application deadline is Friday, January 31, 2025.
Your application should consist of one copy of each of the following:
- A current resume
- A transcript, or list of classes taken in law school
- A brief personal statement (consisting of no more than 1000 words) about your interest in the fellowship
- One letter of recommendation from a law school professor, clinical supervisor, employer or internship supervisor
