Legal Extern

Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement • Lincoln, NE

1d • Onsite

About The Position

In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now CIRA, the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement. Our diverse team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate legal representation, refugee services, and social work services. We take on the most complex immigration cases, resettle refugees from around the world, and ensure all clients have access to much-needed resources. Operating in offices from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff, our team of more than 100 full-time employees helps communities’ welcome immigrants and refugees as they build their lives here. We assist with all forms of family and humanitarian-based immigration, and we never turn any family away due to inability to pay. The Legal Extern project aims to provide a clinic experience to 3L students from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Externs in this program will spend both the Fall and Spring semesters working with a Supervising Attorney to represent low-income clients in a range of immigration matters. This program will focus on the expansion of practical skills with the educational goal of engaging with current immigration law and the realities of the immigration system. These skills include: client-centered lawyering, client counseling and interviewing, litigation and strategic planning, legal writing, development of professional identity, professional communication, case file management, and the ability to respond to rapidly changing law and circumstances.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• Must be a 3L student at the University of Nebraska College of Law for the 2026-2027 academic year
• Qualifies as a Senior-Certified law student able to practice under a licensed attorney
• Strong commitment to public interest legal services and to the enfranchisement and empowerment of immigrant communities
• Ability to work sensitively with numerous staff, volunteers, and clients having varied personalities, lifestyles, cultures, political orientations, and faiths
• Fluency in using Office 365 applications (ex. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and a strong ability to learn new software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills with ability to serve clients and colleagues from various backgrounds professionally
• Demonstrates reliability through consistent attendance, effective time management, and flexibility
• Ability to take initiative and problem-solve independently when appropriate
• Ability to represent CIRA positively to clients, volunteers, community organizations, and the public
• Strong commitment to professional excellence in a mission-driven environment
• Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, and self-directed work style
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Ability to lift items up to 20 lbs. as needed
• Ability to pass all required background checks
• Must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Conducting legal research and writing
• Drafting and filing applications for immigration relief from USCIS, Immigration Court, and other relevant agencies
• Participating in client interviews and developing questions to understand facts of a client’s case
• Analyzing facts to determine relief eligibility
• Appearing in Immigration Court and state court on behalf of clients, as dictated by the clients’ legal needs
• Developing culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches with clients from diverse backgrounds
• Navigating difficult conversations with clients who may be facing traumatic past experiences or challenging decisions
• Analyzing and resolving professional ethics issues
• Collaboration within the Clinic team and with other colleagues to efficiently work towards client goals
• Learning and maintaining case management and documentation in line with the requirements of the case management system and filing system

Benefits

• Paid externship with class credit through the University of Nebraska College of Law
• Opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in immigration law and client-centered representation
• Mentorship from experienced immigration attorneys
• Employee Wellness Program (including enriching snacks, support groups, and engaging activities)
• Travel and expense reimbursement
• Possibility of continued internship or full-time employment based on performance and organizational needs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees