This is a reminder about the upcoming deadline for the American Constitution Society's David Carliner Public Interest Award, which recognizes outstanding mid-career public interest lawyers whose work best exemplifies its namesake's legacy of fearless, uncompromising and creative advocacy on behalf of marginalized people, with a $10,000 cash prize and an award presented at ACS's National Convention in Washington DC. Applications must be received by 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, January 12, 2009.

The David Carliner Public Interest Award was established in memory of one of the great public interest lawyers of the 20th Century, David Carliner (1918-2007), who was a champion of justice in his native Washington, D.C. and on the national stage. A tireless, innovative litigator, he also played a leading role in building institutions devoted to protecting civil and human rights and combating injustice on a systemic basis. A pioneering immigration lawyer, an ardent foe of Jim Crow laws, and a leading champion of full political rights for citizens of the District of Columbia, he also was the founding chair of the American Civil Liberties Union-National Capital Area and the International Human Rights Law Group (now GlobalRights).

In determining the recipient of the Award, ACS will be advised by a panel of judges including:

Nan Aron, Executive Director, Alliance for Justice
Wade Henderson, President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Nadine Strossen, Professor, New York Law School and former President, American Civil Liberties Union
Patricia Wald, former Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and former Judge, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Deborah Carliner, attorney; Board member, ACLU-NCA
Sarah Remes, attorney, Carliner and Remes
The Award

A cash prize of $10,000 will be given to one recipient each year, along with transportation and lodging for the American Constitution Society's National Convention in Washington to accept the award.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To be considered for the Award, applicants must:

Have graduated from law school within 5-10 years of the year in which they apply;
Have demonstrated a passionate commitment to public interest law throughout their career and be employed at a nonprofit organization or law firm whose mission supports and furthers the causes for which David Carliner stood; and
Receive an annual salary of $110,000 or less.
Applicants will be evaluated on the extent to which their accomplishments exemplify David Carliner's passionate commitment to one or more of the causes for which he worked: civil rights in a broad sense, civil liberties, international human rights and immigrants' rights. Successful applicants will have pursued these causes with unwavering determination, creativity and effectiveness and be dedicated to working in the public interest throughout their careers.

Applicants whose work has focused on policy advocacy or litigation will be looked on with equal favor.

Preference will be given to applicants whose personal financial situation would be materially improved by the award.

In keeping with the legacy of David Carliner, whose career was devoted to achieving a just and inclusive society for all, women, people of color, people with disabilities and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

To be considered for the David Carliner Public Interest Award, applicants must submit:

A completed cover sheet. Applicants should download the form accessible below and email it with the other materials.
A resume or CV;
An essay of no more than five pages setting forth their qualifications for the award and including a statement that the applicant's annual salary is $110,000 or less; and
A letter of recommendation from a person familiar with the applicant's work and the criteria for the Award.
Applications must be submitted via email to carlineraward@acslaw.org. All four documents must be in PDF form and attached to a single email message. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications for the 2009 Award must be received by 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, January 12, 2009.

Presentation of Award

The Award will be announced and presented at the American Constitution Society National Convention. The recipient of the Award is encouraged to attend the Convention and accept the Award in person.

Sincerely,

The American Constitution Society
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Application Coversheet

DAVID CARLINER PUBLIC INTEREST AWARD

Please fill out this form and email it, along with your resume, essay, and letter of recommendation, to carlineraward@acslaw.org in order to be considered for the award. Please attach all four documents, in PDF form, to a single email. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
1. Name:

2. Address:

3. Email Address:

4. Phone Number:
Daytime Phone Number:
Cellular/mobile telephone number:
Evening Phone number:

5. Law School and Year of Graduation:

6. Employer:

7. Recommender Contact Information:
Name:
Phone number:
Address: