Refugee Representation Legal Fellow

Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation team seeks to sponsor a law student or recent law school graduate as a legal fellow for a one- or two-year fellowship commencing in fall 2025. We seek current law student applicants who intend to apply for Equal Justice Works, or another privately-funded, one- or two-year public service fellowship. Applicants must graduate from law school no later than summer 2025.  

Human Rights First is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and action organization committed to defending human rights. Our Refugee Representation team, which recruits and mentors lawyers to represent asylum seekers on a pro bono basis, is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the country.  

NATURE OF THE FELLOWSHIP  

The fellow will work full-time in our Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., or New York office. They will report to one of our Supervising Senior Staff Attorneys, all of whom are experienced attorneys committed to providing mentorship and guidance throughout the length of the fellowship. Previous legal fellows with Human Rights First have had the opportunity to, among other things, represent clients in immigration court and before the Asylum Office; engage in representation and advocacy on behalf of detained asylum seekers; conduct research and advocacy on border policies impacting asylum seekers; and draft press releases, policy recommendations, and reports to advocate for systemic change of the asylum system, many of which have been reported in media outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Buzzfeed News.  

Human Rights First is primarily interested in projects that will support our efforts in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and/or New York to advance due process and address restrictive asylum policies and systemic impediments to access to counsel and fair proceedings in the legal representation and treatment of asylum-seekers during border processes, asylum office interviews, and immigration court hearings. We are also interested in projects relating to representation of particularly vulnerable populations, such as ethnic minorities or survivors of gender-based violence, among others, as well as individuals with legally complex “particular social group cases” are subject to changing administrative and judicial challenges. 

We will also consider innovative, impactful asylum-related projects outside the delineated areas.  

  Required Knowledge, Skills, And Experience  

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) by summer 2025; 
• Admission to a state bar or pending admission as of fall 2025; 
• Previous experience working with asylum-seekers or immigrants, though law school clinics, judicial clerkships, or legal internships; 
• Strong written and oral communication skills; 
• Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds; 
• Familiarity with U.S. immigration law and policy; 
• Ability to take initiative, manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and identify and analyze legal issues; and 
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
  
  
  

 

Potential legal fellowship candidates who are interested in pursuing placement at Human Rights First may submit their resume and cover letter by going to https://humanrightsfirst.org/careers/. In your cover letter, please include a statement indicating whether—if your application for an Equal Justice Works, or other privately-funded, two-year public service fellowship is unsuccessful—your law school funds fellowships for which you might be eligible. If so, please outline the parameters governing this school-funded fellowship. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. Only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. 

Human Rights First is committed to equal employment opportunity and recruiting talent from across all diverse groups. We do not discriminate against any person because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, affection preference, gender identity, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, status as a war veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply