[Hiring] Legal Intern, Refugee Representation @Human Rights First

Role Description

The Los Angeles office of Human Rights First seeks motivated legal interns for the Summer 2026 semester to assist in providing pro bono legal representation to asylum seekers before the Los Angeles Asylum Office and Immigration Courts.

• Work directly with clients on interviewing and document drafting
• Collaborate with attorneys on case strategy
• Engage in legal strategy, forms completion, advocacy, legal research, and brief writing

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.

• Assist in the furtherance of clients’ cases
• Apply legal skills to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage in client interviewing and conduct intake interviews with potential clients
• Draft case summaries
• Support Human Rights First staff on asylum cases with draft declarations, briefs, legal memorandum, and other legal advocacy efforts
• Prepare and file forms for affirmative immigration relief, including asylum applications, family reunification petitions, employment authorization applications, temporary protected status, and applications for permanent residency
• Conduct legal research in developing areas of immigration law and country conditions for analysis and reporting
• Attend legal trainings, advocacy groups, and discussion panels in the greater Los Angeles area and virtually

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Legal research and writing skills, particularly in immigration law, federal circuit law, agency decisions, and federal regulations
• Dedicated interest and passion for immigration advocacy 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 on important deadlines
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, French, or Russian, is a plus

Education

• Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program

Submission Deadline

• March 20, 2026

Start Date

• May 26, 2026

End Date

• August 14, 2026

Time Commitment

• 30 hours per week

Application Instructions

• Resume, cover letter, & writing sample (no more than 5 pages long). PDF format required.

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.