Legal Intern/Extern (U.S. Litigation)

International Refugee Assistance Project • New York, NY

2d • Remote

About The Position

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) seeks two law students for summer positions with its U.S. Litigation department. The internship is remote, with a possible option to work from IRAP’s New York City office. The position requires a 10-week commitment, with the program scheduled to run from June 7 to August 13, 2027. Onboarding days are scheduled for June 7–9, 2027, in IRAP’s New York office. Applicants who can only work part-time or cannot begin on the scheduled date are still encouraged to apply.

IRAP may host participants as paid interns or as unpaid externs receiving academic credit, coordinated with the student’s school. The summer program asks interns to pursue public-interest funding from their law schools first. If IRAP pays the intern, compensation is $17 per hour or the applicable state minimum wage, for 40 hours per week. Intern and extern candidates are considered equally. Internship applicants must have U.S. work authorization; externship applicants may apply regardless of work authorization status.

Applicants must be rising second- or third-year students enrolled in a J.D. program in the United States; rising third-year students are strongly preferred. IRAP encourages applications from people with lived experience in the communities it serves, members of marginalized communities, and individuals whose identities are underrepresented in the legal profession. IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable Fair Chance Act requirements.

Requirements

• Be a rising 2L or 3L enrolled in a J.D. program in the United States; rising 3Ls are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Show sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
• Show initiative in completing projects and the ability to multitask.
• Be proficient in Google Workspace.
• Have excellent English communication skills.
• Have U.S. work authorization to apply as an intern; this requirement does not apply to externship applicants.
• Commit to the 10-week program; applicants unable to work full-time or begin on the scheduled date are nevertheless encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to speak Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Somali, Pashto, Kurdish, or Spanish.
• Strong interest in refugee processing, immigration law, and human rights.
• Rising 3L standing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake interviews and identify client needs for litigation purposes, including explaining litigation and drafting affidavits.
• Conduct factual and legal research in support of ongoing or planned litigation.
• Prepare research memoranda for the team in support of ongoing or planned litigation.
• Participate in litigation efforts as appropriate, including preparing litigation documents and cite-checking.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed