Legal Fellow

U.S. COMM FOR REFUGE • Cleveland, OH

3d • $0 - $62,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is seeking a Legal Fellow for its Humanitarian Legal Services department in Cleveland, Ohio. This fellowship is for rising third-year law students and recent law graduates, externally funded, and is expected to begin in the fall of 2027 for up to two years. USCRI will support the selected candidate in applying for external fellowships. The role involves providing pro-bono and low-bono legal services to refugees and immigrants, assisting them in building their lives in the United States. USCRI is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization established in 1911, dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants nationwide and globally.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school (or expect one within the next year)
• Ability to be admitted to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction by the summer of 2027
• Meet external fellowship requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong writing and demonstrated intercultural communication ability
• High-level of proficiency in MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and database programs
• Flexibility for occasional evening and community-based work required
• Willingness to be part of a team and also work independently is desirable
• Demonstrated support of USCRI’s values by exhibiting respect for others, maintenance of confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace

Nice To Haves

• Ukrainian or Russian language fluency preferred

Responsibilities

• Conducting intakes and providing legal consultations to determine eligibility for legal relief
• Preparing and submitting immigration applications for VAWA, U-Visas, T-Visas, Adjustment of Status, Asylum, Special Immigration Juvenile Status, Family reunification petitions, Consular processing, Temporary Protected Status, DACA, Waivers of inadmissibility, and additional benefits such as employment authorization documents, travel documents, renewal of permanent resident cards, Certificates of Citizenship, and FOIAs
• Making appropriate referrals to other service providers and relevant community partners
• Representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, including attending immigration interviews, immigration court hearings, and Infopass appointments
• Conducting outreach, leading trainings, and participating in networking activities
• Maintaining bar membership through continuing legal education
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervising Attorney
• Proposing and working on a fellowship project related to immigration legal services, with specific details to be determined in consultation with supervisors

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level