For more than a century, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been at the forefront of the fight to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties of people across the United States. Boasting more than 1.7 million members, 500 staff attorneys, and thousands of additional volunteer attorneys taking on nearly 2,000 cases annually, the ACLU is considered by many to be the apex of civil liberties work. Some lawyers work for a lifetime for the chance to assist the ACLU in its mission. For two Notre Dame Law School students, however, that chance came this summer.
Adam Miller ‘25 J.D. is spending his summer in Anchorage with the ACLU of Alaska, where he is working to ensure that those historically denied their rights are afforded the same protections guaranteed us all, whether persons of color, Indigenous populations, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the incarcerated, or otherwise infringed.
"It’s such a dream to be able to simultaneously fight egregious prison conditions and also get a chance to expand and hone my commitment to civil rights in securing Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, and reproductive rights; religious freedom; and safeguarding our democracy in privacy and voting rights. I am grateful to learn at such a storied force of an organization," said Adam.
As a summer law clerk, Adam carries out legal research and writing for both potential and active litigation on civil liberties matters across the state. He also acts as a liaison with community partners, and supports the legal team in all aspects of active litigation.
Since its founding in 1971, the ACLU of Alaska has been the premier civil rights organization in Alaska. The organization addresses a wide range of constitutional violations and civil liberties issues, such as challenging Alaska's failure to provide non-English ballots and voting materials to indigenous Alaska Native voters; defending the right of mentally ill prisoners to apply for parole; and resisting legislative attempts to infringe on Alaskan women’s reproductive rights.
"In Alaska, too, Constitutional protections do not exist in perpetuity, but demand our constant vigilance. Without all-hands-on-deck at the ACLU, blatantly unconstitutional prison practices would go on unhindered, voting access for Alaskan natives curtailed, sex discrimination in school bathrooms empowered, and religious freedoms infringed," said Adam. "The Constitution protects, but not without an advocate."
Tristan Mullen ‘26 J.D. was competitively selected to join the ACLU-Black Law Students Association Southern Legal Internship Program (SLIP) at the ACLU of Georgia offices this summer. SLIP was established to address the shortage of Black and Brown legal professionals nationwide, including within the ACLU, and aims to build a pipeline of Black civil rights lawyers in the South and within ACLU’s national organization. The interns contribute to campaigns in critical issues that particularly impact marginalized communities in the region, such as voting rights, education, gender justice, and criminal legal reform.
"As a queer person of color from rural Alabama, the ACLU internship holds profound significance for me, as this organization has long been at the forefront of the charge to defend the rights of those who look like me and share my identity," said Tristan.
"The opportunity to make a tangible impact in communities facing systemic challenges resonates deeply with me,” Tristan added. “Coming from a background where I've witnessed firsthand the disparities and injustices faced by marginalized groups, I'm eager to use my voice and experiences to advocate for change."
Tristan expressed his enthusiasm over advocating for civil liberties and social justice by engaging in projects that align with his passion for advancing equity. At the ACLU of Georgia, Tristan has conducted research for an amicus brief urging the court to further protect transgender rights. He has also conducted legal and policy research on potential First Amendment, due process, and Section 1983 violations.
He has had opportunities to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, leverage his unique perspective to contribute meaningfully to the ACLU, and deepen his understanding of substantive constitutional rights and learn how to effectively protect them.
"I remember, as a very young person, learning and looking up to legal giants such as Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, and Dovey Johnson Roundtree, as well as Black activists such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., and Fannie Lou Hamer. I see myself, a Black son of the South, as a continuation of their collective activism and legacies," said Tristan. "I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the ACLU's mission of defending and preserving the rights and liberties of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances."
Originally published by at law.nd.edu on August 02, 2024.