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Anyone know anything about working for the ACLU or a similar organization? How often do they hire attorneys, and what is the process like? Do most of their attorneys work pro-bono? I imagine that if they do hire full time attorneys it's extremely competitive. It would be somewhat of a dream to work as an attorney for the ACLU.

I have heard from several sources that it is very difficult to get these jobs, especially outside T14. I don't really know anything about pro bono work with the ACLU, but I'd bet even this is very competitive.

I summered at the ACLU. It is extraordinarily competitive to get a permanent position in the national office. Getting a job at one of the state affiliates can be less competitive, depending on the state. (Some affiliates, like ACLU Northern California, are super competitive.)

The main way to get a job in the national office straight out of law school is as a fellow:
http://www.aclu.org/careers/3

The more experienced ACLU attorneys have often made lateral moves from prestigious firms (Jenner, Munger, Altshuler Berzon, etc.), government, and other nonprofits. Most of them have glittering résumés: top-10 schools, elite clerkships, and so on.