Legal Intern - Spring 2027

Human Rights First • New York, NY

10d • Remote

About The Position

Human Rights First’s New York office seeks a motivated Legal Intern for Spring 2027 to support pro bono legal representation for asylum seekers before the New York Asylum Office and Immigration Courts. Interns may work directly with clients on interviews and document drafting, and collaborate with attorneys on case strategy. Work on direct representation cases may include legal strategy, completing forms, advocacy, legal research, and brief writing.

Legal interns contribute to the Refugee Representation program, which provides legal assistance to asylum seekers who cannot afford an attorney and need help pursuing asylum or other humanitarian-based immigration relief. Through direct engagement with refugees, interns support clients’ cases and advance Human Rights First’s mission to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law in the United States.

The position is unpaid and supports Human Rights First’s New York team. It may be performed remotely. A computer and internet connection are required. Human Rights First will assist interns with externship credit, work-study, or seeking funding from external sources. The internship runs from January 29, 2027, through April 23, 2027, with a commitment of up to 29 hours per week. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited JD or LLM program. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and writing sample of no more than five pages; the submission deadline is November 17, 2026.

Requirements

• Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Legal research and writing skills, particularly in immigration law, administrative law, federal law, and federal regulations.
• Dedicated interest in immigration advocacy, direct client representation, and protecting migrants’ rights.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, and community organizations.
• Ability and motivation to work independently and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• A computer and internet connection are required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma.
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake interviews with potential clients, interview clients, and draft case summaries.
• Support Human Rights First staff on asylum cases by drafting declarations, briefs, legal memoranda, and other legal advocacy materials.
• Assist with preparing and filing forms for affirmative immigration relief, including asylum applications, family reunification petitions, employment authorization applications, temporary protected status applications, and applications for permanent residency.
• Conduct legal research in developing areas of immigration law and research country conditions for analysis and reporting.
• Collaborate with attorneys on case strategy and support direct representation through legal strategy, form completion, advocacy, research, and brief writing.
• Attend legal trainings, advocacy groups, and discussion panels in the greater New York area and virtually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern