[Hiring] Legal Intern @Human Rights First

Role Description

The N.Y. office of Human Rights First seeks motivated legal interns for Spring 2027 to assist in providing pro bono legal representation to asylum seekers before the N.Y. Asylum Office and Immigration Courts. Interns will have the opportunity to work directly with clients on interviewing and document drafting and collaborate with attorneys on case strategy. Opportunities to work on direct representation cases include:

• Legal strategy
• Forms completion
• Advocacy
• Legal research
• Brief writing

This position is unpaid and will support the N.Y. team of HRF and may be performed remotely. A computer and internet connection are required for this position. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT community are encouraged to apply.

Legal interns meaningfully contribute to the Refugee Representation program, which provides legal assistance to asylum seekers who cannot afford an attorney and need help with a claim for asylum or other humanitarian-based forms of immigration relief. Interns actively engage in furthering Human Rights First mission of working in the United States to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Through direct engagement with refugees, legal interns assist in the furtherance of clients’ cases, applying their legal skills to the furtherance of human rights.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines at once
• Legal research and writing skills, particularly in immigration law, administrative law, federal law, and federal regulations
• Dedicated interest and passion for immigration advocacy, direct client representation, and protecting the rights of migrants
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, and community organizations
• Motivated to work independently to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, is a plus

Requirements

• Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program

Compensation

• Unpaid

Submission Deadline

• November 17, 2026

Start Date

• January 29, 2027

End Date

• April 23, 2027

Time Commitment

• Up to 29 hours/week

Application Instructions

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample (no more than 5 pages)

Company Description

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.