Application Guide

How to Apply for Assistant or Associate Director of Chapters

at American Constitution Society

🏢 About American Constitution Society

The American Constitution Society (ACS) is the leading progressive legal organization in the U.S., with a powerful network of nearly 250 student and lawyer chapters. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that fights for constitutional failures, democracy, and equality, while engaging with top legal minds and activists across the country.

About This Role

As Assistant or Associate Director of Chapters, you will manage and expand ACS's nationwide chapter network, coordinating programming and events that amplify progressive legal impact. This role is critical for building grassroots momentum and ensuring career-long engagement with ACS's initiatives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a call with a student chapter leader to plan an upcoming event on voting rights, followed by reviewing a lawyer chapter's programming proposal. Afternoon could involve coordinating logistics for a national webinar series and drafting a memo on chapter expansion opportunities in the Midwest. You'd end the day by updating the chapter engagement database and preparing talking points for a donor event.

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🎯 Who American Constitution Society Is Looking For

  • Has 2-4 years of campaign, organizing, or event planning experience, preferably in legal or advocacy settings.
  • Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple chapter relationships and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Possesses strong writing skills and sound judgment for collaborating with diverse stakeholders, from law students to practicing attorneys.
  • Knowledgeable about current legal and public policy issues; a JD is preferred, but not required if other experience is strong.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Constitution Society

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific organizing or event planning metrics (e.g., number of events coordinated, chapters supported, or volunteers mobilized).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to ACS's mission of progressive legal reform and mention any familiarity with their issue areas (e.g., voting rights, criminal justice reform).

3

Research ACS's current campaigns and signature events (like the annual convention) and reference how you could contribute to their growth.

4

For the writing sample, choose something that demonstrates your ability to communicate complex legal or policy ideas to a broad audience.

5

If you have a JD, emphasize how your legal training informs your organizing approach; if not, stress your organizing expertise in advocacy contexts.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for progressive legal change and alignment with ACS's mission.", 'Proven track record in managing networks or chapters, with specific examples of growth or engagement outcomes.', 'Ability to plan and execute high-impact events that raise funds and profile.', 'Your collaborative style and experience working with diverse legal professionals and students.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ACS's website for their current strategic priorities and recent reports (e.g., on judicial nominations or constitutional issues).
  • → Look up ACS's annual convention and signature events to understand their scale and impact.
  • → Read about ACS's chapter network structure, including the difference between student and lawyer chapters.
  • → Familiarize yourself with ACS's leadership and key staff to understand the organizational culture.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach expanding ACS chapters in underserved legal markets?
2 Describe a time you managed a complex event or campaign with multiple stakeholders; what was your strategy?
3 How do you stay informed on current legal and policy issues, and which ACS initiatives interest you most?
4 Give an example of how you integrated members into long-term engagement beyond a single event.
5 How would you balance national programming priorities with the unique needs of individual chapters?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention ACS or its progressive mission.
  • Overlooking the organizing/grassroots aspect of the role in favor of purely legal experience.
  • Failing to provide specific examples of event planning or chapter management metrics in your resume.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Constitution Society!

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