Legal Intern, Refugee Representation - Summer 2026

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interns will have the opportunity to engage in client interviewing, to conduct intake interviews with potential clients, and to draft case summaries.
• Interns will work with Human Rights First staff on asylum cases, providing support with draft declarations, briefs, legal memorandum, and other legal advocacy efforts.
• Interns will assist with preparing and filing forms for affirmative immigration relief with Human Rights First clients, including asylum applications, family reunification petitions, employment authorization applications, temporary protected status, and applications for permanent residency.
• Interns will conduct legal research in developing areas of immigration law and country conditions for analysis and reporting.
• Interns will have opportunities to attend legal trainings, advocacy groups, and discussion panels in the greater Los Angeles area and virtually.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines at once
• 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

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.